EagleFan

Not sure, but my guess is many urbanohio regulars supported the Tower City mall 20 years ago. What went wrong, if anything? Will the convention center fix that?

Great article. Our company finances some "wind farms" out west and have been aware of this problem for years. As usual, state's (maybe rightfully so) only care about themselves, and the federal government does nothing, Republicans and Liberals.

Funny story about the 8/24 seasonal changes that were not widely circulated. A co-worker takes the 263 that originated in Olmsted Falls at 6:34 AM last week, but changed to 6:29 AM this week. My coworker arrived early because I told him of the change last week. The bus showed up at the usual later time, which was good since several other riders walked up just before he arrived, unaware of the change. The funny part is, he asked the driver about the change (since he did not appear to be any earlier), and the driver said "what schedule change?".

Avogadro - You may be right, though Cuyahoga County has several large near-county-line shopping areas (at least on the west side) that bring in plenty of people from the surrounding county. (Crocker Park, Great Northern, Southpark Mall)

Many riders drive in from other counties to an RTA parking lot in-county. redbrick is saying they should provide a Cuyahoga County ID or pay more. i don't like that. Those that work in the county likely pay quite a bit into the RTA sales tax.

JMASEK - Thanks for the explanation. That makes sense. I am not sure how NOACA is chartered, but could there be something in their bylaws that requires funds flowing through them to be distributed based on population?

I agree that is true, but the NOACA funds were distributed with that formula for a long time. The NOACA favors Cuyahoga in many other ways, so I would not be surporised if they do make the change. I'm just saying the formula is what it is for now and should not be changed on a whim without a discussion/debate/vote.

The drivers at the West 14th roundabout are getting better, but still mess it up many times. The still use the right lane to proceed to West 14th northbound, causing a dangerous situation. That's my fear about new roundabouts. They should be a more efficient traffic flow generator, but because roughtly 50% of drivers can't understand/follow traffic signage, it often creates a hazard.

I disagree with KJP on this one. If the normal procedure for NOACA to divide the money based on population, not ridership, I am not sure why RTA should expect it to be done differently this time. Public transprtation plays an important role in each county for a segment of that population. I don't see why it's fair and reasonable to change the fund distribution formula now.

Thanks for the update. Too bad the PD is not more supportive. I understood all along the difference between next week's changes and the large changes proposed last month. I just wanted a paper posted on the bus like most of the prior seasonal changes. Seems like there is a nice plan in place to continuously improve. I always like that in an organization.

Sorry, that was you, not Masek. Did not realize you were butting in. And yes, something HAS been decided for crying out loud. Many route changes are going into effect Monday including some minor cutbacks (1 or 2 runs). All I was saying is that the usual notifications have not been posted on busses. Route changes (at least 30 routes, effective Monday): http://www.riderta.com/maps-schedules.asp The RTA has a responsibility to communicate route changes using various outlets. They updated the website and put something in the Sun, apparently. However, no notice in that PD article and most importnatly no notice on the busses. They are normally good about this, but dropped the ball this time. I'm sure that's a one time thing.

This is what irks me about some people. You weren't paying attention to see/hear that the proposals to raise fares X amount and cut Y number of routes were just that -- proposals. So you thought that RTA officials had already made up their minds, that the plan was "finalized"?? I know that. I was referring to the quote that said RTA was "likely to make some minor adjustments and tweak some routes". You just posted that the changes were on the website for weeks, yet this article did not announce the already decided changes, referring to them as "likely". Incomplete journalism from the PD, shocking. Opportunity lost by RTA to communicate.

Thanks JMasek. I will sign up. The articles in the paper have not mentioned changes. The latest article above has this quote, which pretty much contradicts the fact route changes were already finalized weeks ago: "For now, the transit agency is likely to make some minor adjustments and tweak some routes, Calabrese said."

I was disappointed to notice a lack of communication from RTA on route changes. Quite a few routes will have schedule changes effective Monday, but the usual Flier announcing new time tables is not on any busses I have been on. (Instead there is a notice for us to send postcards to the governor). I know cancelling 1 bus (as they did on a route I frequesnt) and moving times 5-10 minutes or so may not seem like a big deal, but we riders need to know about it. The last bus of the night on my route will be moved up 10 minutes. If I did not happen to go to riderta.com looking for something else, I may not have known and missed the last bus and been very late, maybe stuck on a slow bus like the 75x with KJP. Hopefully this does not happen to many riders.

Without a liquor license?

The driver has to keep on schedule. You can wait all day at some of those stops just to get the next guy.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/CouldOilPlungeTo65ABarrel.aspx $65 OIL IS COMING (MAYBE) A top analyst expects crude prices to start plummeting. If you don't believe it, you're not the only one, and a few stocks look good if you're in the skeptics' camp. By Jon Markman If you're frustrated over the high cost of gasoline at the pump, don't trade in your Hummer for a Vespa just yet: A leading energy analyst is telling clients these days to prepare for crude oil to retreat back below $65 per barrel over the next three years. ...

You have any evidence/links to back your assertions?

I am not complaining. I don't live in Westlake, but use the 246 often. It is interesting that Westlake would have virtutally no service with these proposals (except for rush hour service on 246 and 55F.)

Although probably necessary, these cuts will not do much for the growth of use of publuc transportation everyone wants. Some major roads will be left with no bus service after this round of cuts. I am not familiar with all the routes that are being proposed to be cut completely: 43 - This is the only other bus that goes to the Westlake Park-and-Ride. If you take the 246 and need to get to your car outside of rushhour, you'll need a cab. Previous cuts took the 55C away. There is already no service to the Park0and-Ride after 6:40, so if you have a deadline and are working late, take the Red Line... 49 - This is the only bus down Center Ridge Road, though there will still be some routes heading to the Westate Transit Center. 46 - Combined with the 43 and 49, I am not sure if there is any service left in Westlake besides the 246.

Anyone else drive a Hybrid? Can auto manufacturers make them fast enough? If they make mostly cars with 30-150 MPG, will that be enough (combined with modest increases in public transportation)?

They added "Louis Stokes" to many trains, whcih seemed like a waste of money at the time, but I am not sure what the cost is...

It is a sad story when someone loses their livelihood. I know some will take the attitude that a trucker is getting what he deserves for working in a oil-based industry, but even as a conservative, I tend to be sympathetic. I agree and am hopeful like kingfish out of water that perhaps more jobs will be created in the rail industry to offset job losses in the trucking industry.

They don't need new trains to change the signage on the train.

Great show as always, and the sprinklers in the median beds on Superior did not go off this time!