No, sorry, the Free Saturdays were in Feb.

The Tram is definitely a tourist attraction, regardless of how its original design intention. Sure, it should be primarily for OHSH doctors, patients, employees, and hospital visitors and they should always get first priority to ride the Tram, but the thing is much too interesting for tourists to ignore. Nor should OHSU and the city not consider the tourist aspect, given all the money spent on the thing. As I said, Sundays should be a good time for tourists. There's always the chance that the Tram costs more to operate than the fare recovery. Maybe charge $8 on Sundays or something to make it more than break even or whatever it takes. If toursts knew that Sunday was an open day for them, perhaps they wouldn't use it so much during the week.

FYI, someone got married on the Tram a few weeks back. It's not just for OHSU people.

That couple won a radio contest for Valentines and the "wedding" was the length of the tram ride .

A couple got *married* on the thing? No, I hadn't heard that.

I talked with one visitor who said, "only $4?", so it's possible they could up the cost of the tram (or at least open it on Sundays). I guess that's a good example of the two kinds of money: the kind you spend at home, and the kind you spend traveling.

I should let this thing die a slow death....

There are two conflicting interests at play here: the city's, which paid most of the cost of the tram, and OHSU, which needs the area on the waterfront for expansion and parking because there's no room up on the hill. As in most cases, money will probably win out.

So Andrew's probably right; the tram will become a tourist attraction. When it's such a prominent piece of landscape coming into the city from the south, how could it not. But I still don't understand why. Apart from the novelty of the ride, there are other places to go in town for the same or better views.

The fit will hit the shan when tourists' demands begin to put the squeeze on OHSU's needs. At that point, ironically, OHSU may wish the thing had never been built.

Beachbum--I think you hit on something there.

If people want to ride this tram as a tourist, one thing I hope they will keep in mind is to be respectful that not everyone on the tram is there for the fun of it and many are dealing with some tough times.

The other week when we had strong winds, one of the trams had to be stopped for about 45 minutes midstream. My husband was telling me about it (he wasn't on it...but heard from OHSU people). That would definitely not be my idea of fun, lol!

If OHSU is hoping to discourage the Tram as a tourist attraction, they aren't helping by offering Tram note cards, posters, t-shirts, and hats for it.

FYI, OHSU paid the majority of the cost of the Tram. The city of Portland paid $8.5 Million out of $57 Million; OHSU is paying the rest.