TriMet recently instituted a handy performance dashboard for the public to quickly assess how the state's largest transit agency is doing.

According to TriMet's January performance report, bus trips dropped 4.4% over the previous year. MAX trips increased by 4.7%. WES - the nation's only suburb to suburb heavy rail line, saw ridership increased by 12.2% to 1380 daily boardings. 

According to TriMet, the decline in bus ridership is due in part to the continuing weak economy, the 7.3% reduction in service levels, and the sunseting of fareless square.