TriMet - Audio and Sounds

Dear Michael:

The City of Portland acknowledges receipt of your Public Records Request.  Your request was received in this office on April 11, 2021 and given the reference number C173961-041121 for tracking purposes.

Record Requested:  To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

- All announcement audio messages used on Max trains and platforms (e.g. "now entering ______ station", "doors to my right", stop names, etc).
- All announcement audio messages used on TriMet buses (e.g. stop names, mask announcement, etc).
- All announcement audio messages used on Street cars (e.g. "now entering ______", "doors to my right", stop names, etc).

Additionally, please include:
(a) all recordings that are currently in use,
(b) all non-english translations, i.e those in Spanish,
(c) all recordings that were previously in use, and
(d) all recordings that are intended to be used in the future (e.g. for stations that have not yet opened, if those recordings have already been made).

Public transit sounds have previously been considered public records in other major cities/states, such as Seattle: https://www.muckrock.com/foi/washington-54/soundtransit-link-announcement-audio-recordings-25011/ - given the insensitive nature of the audio, I believe there would be no difference in how those records are considered here.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days.

Sincerely,

Michael Quinn

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/
At this time, the City is uncertain whether it is the custodian of the requested record.  The City will review your request to determine if it has responsive records.  The City will then gather an estimate of the costs to provide copies of requested public records for which the City does not claim an exemption from disclosure.  The City is permitted to charge its actual costs to provide records.  Fees include research time to locate and analyze the requested records, even if no records are located or if the requested records are determined to be exempt from disclosure.

You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below.  Thank you for using the Portland Public Records Request Center.

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RE: City Public Records Request of April 11, 2021 Reference # C173961-041121

Dear Michael,
The City received a Public Records Request from you on April 11, 2021 for the following: "To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

- All announcement audio messages used on Max trains and platforms (e.g. "now entering ______ station", "doors to my right", stop names, etc).
- All announcement audio messages used on TriMet buses (e.g. stop names, mask announcement, etc).
- All announcement audio messages used on Street cars (e.g. "now entering ______", "doors to my right", stop names, etc).

Additionally, please include:
(a) all recordings that are currently in use,
(b) all non-english translations, i.e those in Spanish,
(c) all recordings that were previously in use, and
(d) all recordings that are intended to be used in the future (e.g. for stations that have not yet opened, if those recordings have already been made).

Public transit sounds have previously been considered public records in other major cities/states, such as Seattle: https://www.muckrock.com/foi/washington-54/soundtransit-link-announcement-audio-recordings-25011/ - given the insensitive nature of the audio, I believe there would be no difference in how those records are considered here.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days.

Sincerely,

Michael Quinn

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/
The City may be the custodian of at least some of the public records you have requested.  The City is preparing an estimate of the time and fees for disclosure of the public records which will be provided by the City within a reasonable time.
Sincerely,
DEMETRI FINCH BROWN
PBOT- Constituent Services Coordinator 503-823-5080 If you are having technical difficulties with the website, please contact the website administrator by phone or email.  (503) 823-6040 or prrhelp@portlandoregon.gov

--- Please respond above this line ---
RE:  City Public Records Request of April 11, 2021 Reference #C173961-041121

Dear Michael,

The City received a Public Records Request from you on April 11, 2021 for the following: "To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

- All announcement audio messages used on Max trains and platforms (e.g. "now entering ______ station", "doors to my right", stop names, etc).
- All announcement audio messages used on TriMet buses (e.g. stop names, mask announcement, etc).
- All announcement audio messages used on Street cars (e.g. "now entering ______", "doors to my right", stop names, etc).

Additionally, please include:
(a) all recordings that are currently in use,
(b) all non-english translations, i.e those in Spanish,
(c) all recordings that were previously in use, and
(d) all recordings that are intended to be used in the future (e.g. for stations that have not yet opened, if those recordings have already been made).

Public transit sounds have previously been considered public records in other major cities/states, such as Seattle: https://www.muckrock.com/foi/washington-54/soundtransit-link-announcement-audio-recordings-25011/ - given the insensitive nature of the audio, I believe there would be no difference in how those records are considered here.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days.

Sincerely,

Michael Quinn

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/
The PBOT has responsive records for Streetcars but you will have to reach out to TriMet for the Max and Bus.
DEMETRI FINCH BROWN PBOT- Constituent Services Coordinator 503-823-5080
If you are having technical difficulties with the website, please contact the website administrator by phone or email.  (503) 823-6040 or prrhelp@portlandoregon.gov

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: City Public Records Request of April 11, 2021 Reference # C173961-041121

Dear Michael,
The City received a Public Records Request from you on April 11, 2021 for the following: "To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

- All announcement audio messages used on Max trains and platforms (e.g. "now entering ______ station", "doors to my right", stop names, etc).
- All announcement audio messages used on TriMet buses (e.g. stop names, mask announcement, etc).
- All announcement audio messages used on Street cars (e.g. "now entering ______", "doors to my right", stop names, etc).

Additionally, please include:
(a) all recordings that are currently in use,
(b) all non-english translations, i.e those in Spanish,
(c) all recordings that were previously in use, and
(d) all recordings that are intended to be used in the future (e.g. for stations that have not yet opened, if those recordings have already been made).

Public transit sounds have previously been considered public records in other major cities/states, such as Seattle: https://www.muckrock.com/foi/washington-54/soundtransit-link-announcement-audio-recordings-25011/ - given the insensitive nature of the audio, I believe there would be no difference in how those records are considered here.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days.

Sincerely,

Michael Quinn

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/
The requested records are attached or available online at the Portland Public Records Request Center by going to "My Public Records Request Center" - "View My Requests" - and clicking the button "View Files."
Please note, if you have been provided with emails or text messages as a part of your request, they may have been converted to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).  Additionally, please note that if your search is pulling emails from a global address list, only current employees in that global address list will be included.  Global address lists do not contain emails of departed employees.
The City now considers your request fulfilled and it will be closed.  Please note, messages sent on closed requests will not be monitored.
Sincerely,
DEMETRI FINCH BROWN
PBOT- Constituent Services Coordinator 503-823-5080 If you are having technical difficulties with the website, please contact the website administrator by phone or email.  (503) 823-6040 or prrhelp@portlandoregon.gov