urbanlife

the starbucks @ steelyard commons appears to have closed.

any update on why the coast guard roof hasn't been repaired yet? part of the roof on the boathouse section was torn off a few months ago at the beginning of summer, but the remaining roof on the actual building appears to still be there - in bad shape. i was out there today and there hasn't been any activity on removing the remaining roof or replacing what was taken off...

does anyone know when the west bound lane (northern most lane) will reopen from the sewer rebuild? i thought it was only a 12 week project or something throughout the summer, but it doesn't appear that much has been happening on this segment for the past few weeks.

does anyone know what is going on at west 6 and superior? there is a small parking garage on the north side that also housed a check cashing store - both have been closed for many weeks now. is this the first stage to demoing and rebuilding at this corner or is there some kind of structural problem with the parking deck?

America 2050 released a new report last week that prioritizes 10 mega regions for high speed rail investment. It is similar to maps and ideas presented here, but has some interesting population figures and graphics for the different phases: http://www.rpa.org/america2050/

some good news: The U.S. DOT announced today that 43 local transit agencies from more than two dozen states would share the $100 million in competitive clean-transport grants included in this winter's $787 billion economic stimulus law. Ohio: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (Cleveland), $2,257,000. Facility Energy Conservation Project: Based on the results of a comprehensive conservation analysis, GCRTA will implement a conservation project with energy procurements and retrofit resulting in significant cost savings. Includes replacement of lighting fixtures, control systems, and roof upgrades at selected facilities. http://dc.streetsblog.org/2009/09/21/stimulus-grants-for-green-transpo/

both ohio and local rta applied for usdot tiger grants (not tigger, run by same dept). results are expected in next 10 days. i'm not sure what the state application was for, but some of it could have been for the 3C corridor. rta's grant wasn't extremely "innovative", but included energy efficiency work at their buildings.

The preliminary AMTRAK 3C study was released today, with cost, ridership estimates and lots of maps and scenarios. http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/Programs/passenger/3CisME/QuickStartDocs/Amtrak%20Draft%203C%20Report%2009-15-2009.pdf

Whoa, I was actaully embarrassed about this same this. Two times I've accidently purchased senior passes but was in too much of a hurry to fix it. It must be something with the display that made me pick the wrong one?? the default selection for some of the passes is to senior/disabled, so you have to manually move the cursor to regular fare before going foward. this will be changed in the redesign, although there is concern that ADA users and seniors should be given the simplist choices (and fewer screens), even if most passes sold are regular passes.

I was somewhat curious about this as well ^ Bump. I also hate to resurrect this conversation, but will anything ever be changed with respect to the fareboxes? Also, is the signal prioritization ever going to happen? I was waiting for the Healthline at E. 14th this morning, and a family was helping a guy buy a pass out of the machine. I was just kinda shaking my head in disdain for the machines, and he looked at me and said "I have never in my life seen anything like this! I'm never coming to Cleveland again!" Turns out he was from Chicago. I'm usually quick to defend the Healthline, but really, I'm finished defending these new fareboxes. I was hoping that he would be impressed once he got on the bus, but then we got majorly stuck at every single solitary stoplight. I had boarded at E. 14th at 7:30am and didn't get to Euclid and Adelbert until almost 8! I was pretty embarrassed for RTA :(. there is activity on both fronts, but not sure how quick the resolution will be. 1) fare machines. rta is working with the vendor to change the layout of the screens, improve language, and remove steps so that common transactions can happen quickly. they have some improved flows, and i think they have reached out to other transit agencies to review their screen flows as well. font sizes will be bigger, increment and decrement will go away, etc. there is also some talk of improving the messaging on the front of the machines - where to start, where to pay, perhaps introducing a 1,2,3 system to guide new users. not sure when any of this will go live, but it is being worked on. 2) light timing. my understanding is that rta is aware of these issues - from both riders and drivers. the system just isn't tuned as it should be, and at the end of the day it is up to the city's traffic engineer to program and maintain the system. i don't know if they can't accept bus/pedestrian priority or just don't understand how the new system works. i would suggest calling the city, talking to council, etc., b/c to date not much movement has happened in getting the lights working properly. it seems to be an example of "it's good enough" mentality.

RTA basically entered into a fixed price contract for up to 5 million gals of diesel fuel, and at the time, the best price was 3.17 for a period of 1 year. there was 1 transaction, and looking back, it wasn't the most cost effective decision, but it did provide operational stability and predictability in one area that was unstable. since that time, state law has changed and RTA is now buying futures contracts for smaller amounts of fuel, so there are now literally hundreds of individual transactions purchasing futures (usually on heating or fuel oil) for some number of gallons, which gets your average price. if one month the prices don't look good, RTA doesn't have to buy. they have essentially bought 90% of their fuel for 2010, and a growing % for 2011. to the letter of their agreement, the fuel price RTA pays is still over $3, so the surcharge can stay.

hold up here is the cell towers on the roof. waiting for company to relocate before demolition can begin.

they aren't strobe lights, though. they are just modern LED turn signal lights which are bright and placed at the corner of the bus. you see these types of lights on other newer heavy vehicles.

I could be wrong, but I think it's the low sulfer diesel they use. It burns cleaner. You are correct. RTA has been using exclusively low-sulfur diesel (in those vehicles that use diesel) for some time now, since well before any requirement to do such went into place. Every bus since 2002 also has some sort of exhaust treatment for soot and particulate matter. 2002 to 2004 have a muffler with a dual oxidation catalyst, and 2007 and new buses have a passive diesel particulate filter that removes substantially more soot and particulate matter from the exhaust. The newest MCI park and ride buses have and active diesel particulate filter, which allows diesel fuel to be used to increase temperature to burn off particulate matter, whereas the passive system requires the engine temp to reach a certain level to work effectively.

the problem with the circulators is two-fold: 1) by the board's service policy, they are the least used service on a number of metrics; and 2) politics. so, as times continue to get tough (as predicted in 2010 tax budget for RTA), more service reductions and more fare increases may be in store. however, it is my understanding that the staff can't "save" 1 or 2 circulators that might be doing better than others, b/c the board policy dictates how to rank service. the circulators for the past few years have been at the bottom of the list, and by policy, are the first to be cut. the board could potentially intervene and save a few routes, but this would also set a bad precedent of introducing politics and abandoning the adopted policy for staff to follow. the circulators are also less expensive to ride, which is one of the reasons there is always popular support for the service. my guess is that over the next month a number of big bus routes will be tweaked to better serve areas where circulators will be removed. not everyone will be happy for sure, but so much service has been cut over the past few years, there are no easy cuts left imo.

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1329 RTA moves to balance 2009 budget CLEVELAND – Officials of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) today announced two actions to help close a $5.2 million deficit in the 2009 operating budget. A 25-cent (per ride) fare increase on Tuesday, Sept. 1, will generate an estimated $1.5 million this year. A service reduction that begins Sunday, Sept. 20, will save RTA an estimated $1.6 million this year, and more than $6 million annually in future years. The reduction includes the elimination of all 12 Community Circulator routes, and modifications to 12-15 other low-ridership big-bus routes. Both items are included in the 2009 budget, which was adopted by the Board of Trustees in December 2008. Six public hearings on these issues were held in August 2008. RTA received verbal or written comments from more than 3,000 persons. The money CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese says the actions will help balance the 2009 budget, which now faces a deficit of $5.2 million. Similar moves are being taken by other transit systems throughout the nation. “This tough economy is hurting every public-sector agency and private-sector company,” Calabrese says. “RTA is not immune from what is happening to the rest of the nation. We had hoped these actions could have been avoided, but they can’t. RTA is now providing more service than we can pay for.” Two things are affecting RTA: The sales tax, a primary source of revenue, is projected to be $18 million below 2008 receipts by the end of the year. This is about the same amount received in 1999. Because of the recession, the latest two-year State budget reduced funding to public transit by an additional 33 percent. “Alone, these changes will not balance the 2009 budget, but they will help, as we continue to work on various strategies to address this crisis,” Calabrese says. He says RTA has already taken “significant steps” to balance the 2009 budget, including: · $13.7 million in cost-saving initiatives -- a hiring freeze, a salary freeze, a reduction in administrative positions, a 3 percent salary cut for all non-union employees, travel restrictions, reduced overtime, subcontracting work, and service changes. · $20.5 million in revenue-generating initiatives, including the fuel surcharge and various supplemental and one-time State and Federal funding initiatives The Circulators RTA policy is that, if service needs to be reduced, the changes should be designed to affect the fewest number of riders. Circulators are being eliminated for several reasons. Circulator routes impact about 2.5 percent of RTA riders, according to numbers from the first six months of 2009. Circulator routes often duplicate other RTA service. For instance, 91 percent of the route of the #804 Lakewood Circulator is directly served by other RTA routes, and 100 percent of the route has other RTA service available within a quarter-mile. Overall, 66 percent of Circulator routes duplicate other existing service, and 85 percent have other services within a quarter-mile. RTA officials believe that eliminating the Circulators will impact only about 1 percent of its riders. RTA staff will hold informational meetings in each area, to help Circulator customers plan their future trips. More details on the meeting dates will be announced soon. “Last fall, we heard from more than 3,000 customers, with many passionate pleas to keep the Circulators. We listened, and kept the service operating for another year,” Calabrese says. “The last thing we want to do is cut service, but we have no other options. We can’t spend money we don’t have. We tried everything we could, but in the end, the economy won.” Calabrese noted that very few cities in the nation operate Circulators. RTA began to offer the service in the 1990s, when the economy was robust. The 12 Community Circulator routes are: #801, Lee-Harvard #802, Southeast #803, St. Clair-Hough #804, Lakewood #805, Slavic Village #806, Euclid-Euclid Beach #807, Tremont #808, West Shore #809, Kamm’s-Puritas #820, St. Clair-Five Points #821, University Circle/Heights Area #822, Southwest About 12-15 other low-ridership routes will also be modified. That list will be finalized after the informational meetings are held for the Circulators. The fare increase, effective Sept. 1, 2009 This fare structure expires March 31, 2010. In the coming months, the Board of Trustees will review the fare structure that will take effect April 1, 2010. September monthly passes purchased in August will be sold at the old rate. Cash fares Now As of 9-1-09 Senior/Disabled $0.85 $1.00 Trolley/Loop/Circulator $1.25 $1.50 Bus/Rapid $2.00 $2.25 Park-n-Ride Bus $2.25 $2.50 Out-of-county $3.25 $3.50 Farecards Students, per trip $ 1.60 $ 1.75 5-trip Senior/Disabled $ 4.25 $ 5.00 5-trip Trolley/Loop/Circulator $ 6.25 $ 7.50 5-trip Bus/Rapid $10.00 $11.25 Park-n-Ride Bus $11.25 $12.50 1- and 2-trip farecards are available only through authorized agencies. Student farecards are available only through schools. Passes (Unlimited Rides within Cuyahoga County) All-Day Pass Senior/Disabled $2.00 $2.50 Child (ages 6-12) $2.00 $2.50 Individual $4.50 $5.00 Weekly Pass Senior/Disabled $ 8.50 $10.00 Bus/Rapid $20.00 $22.50 Park-n-Ride Bus $22.50 $25.00 Monthly Pass Senior/Disabled $32.00 $38.00 Bus/Rapid $76.00 $85.00 Park-n-Ride Bus $85.00 $95.00 Paratransit Cash Fare $ 2.00 $ 2.25 5-trip Farecard $10.00 $11.25 Weekly Pass $20.00 $22.50 Monthly Pass $76.00 $85.00

i believe it is the incentives that are provided by the major brands to the local distributors. iirc, local distributors could sell YL (and other beers that aren't available), but by doing so, they would risk losing incentives, marketing dollars, etc. that are provided by the big companies. it becomes one way to maintain market share. it is sold in the youngstown area, so not sure if that distributor bucked the trend or it could be that being closer to PA, they recognized the benefits of providing the beer.

My reference to this project not including this multiuse path comes from the project manager, public meetings, and appears to be re-affirmed in a recent newspaper article regarding the project. My "silly" problem with this ODOT project is that it is not going to include a multi use path, which i think doesn't follow best bridge building practices found in other parts of the country, and i don't think you can build a project for the future without including these essential elements. Again, i'd love to be wrong, but having been to these public meetings in cleveland as well as reviewing the eis and alternatives documents, there isn't a mention anywhere of a multi-use path being included. What ODOT appears to want to do is to spend a few million on making alternative biking routes more usable, certainly a welcome investment. However, as others have noted, the alternative crossings have some significant drawbacks that aren't easily solved and although extending the towpath trail is great, as is, it is used primarily for recreational bicycling and not bike commuting.

you make mention of this attached path in 2 posts. i think most people in the community would be happy with an attached 10' (or slightly wider) multi-use path attached to one of the sides of the project. but my understanding is that this is NOT in the plan. ODOT would prefer to make other improvements to biking infrastucture around this project, but not as part of the actual bridge. if you know otherwise, please post a reference. what many would like to see is a bridge built for the next 50 years. a bridge that doesn't accomodate bikes and pedestrians crossing a large valley that divides downtown from neighborhoods is unexcusable in my opinion - and i'm not talking about a striped bike lane at the side of the road, i'm talking about a separated bike and pedestrian crossing. other state DOTs are doing this as a matter of course, so it isn't really a new or unproven idea anymore. see here for a partial list: http://mobikefed.org/2006/05/bicycle-paths-on-interstate-freeway.php so, when i-84, i-95, i-278, i-279, i-295, i-90(chicago), i-80, i-680 and 20 others have bike accomodations on the new bridges, i expect that ODOT includes bike accomodations on i-90, right here in cleveland.

These are very good points, for sure. But the amount that is dedicated to mass transit in the state of Ohio is PALTRY compared to many other states .. and the thing that really pisses me off is that, while mass transit is short-changed, highway expansion projects are happening. We will never rid ourselves of cars. Fact. They're too convenient. But if it's not this budget crisis, it'll be something else. It's always something else. I think voices need to start being heard. Investments need to be made in cities. Urban centers in Ohio have been short-changed for a long time, and one of those areas is in mass transit. the odot transportation priorities task force report from last year recommended a permanent funding source for transit in ohio. as long as rta competes in the general revenue fund for dollars, they (or any transit agency in ohio), is unlikely to see significant increases, imo. the recent state budget, which cut transit funding another 33%, is really small stuff, overall. funding went from 14 million statewide to 10 million statewide, of which rta receives 25% (although the biggest system, and carrying 45% of statewide riders). Even if the state didn't cut the transit budget, or increased it by 25%, we would be looking at 14 to 18 million, which rta might have a chance at getting 25% of - certainly better, but not nearly enough to deal with an 18million projected shortfall from the sales tax. as for other counties funding rta - both medina county and lorain county paid in from noaca money last year to fund services in their counties. word on the street is that medina will re-up with rta this year, but that lorain county will let service expire in sept.this is more of a principle argument though - medina paid something like 60,000 and lorain paid slightly more, so it isn't millions of additional revenue.

the trolleys should remain free. it again is one of those complicated funding streams. NOACA has provided CMAQ funding, which along with various sponsorships make this service free. CMAQ funding is used to fund congestion mitigation and air quality projects, and to date, the trolleys with 5000 riders a day, are making a significant contribution to reducing downtown air pollution and congestion. with a fare, this is less likely to happen. also, i believe rta has said that 85 or 90% of the trolley riders have already bought a fare on the system and are transferring. The sponsorship is really just paying that 10 or 15% estimate of riders that would pay a fare.

Fixed that for you. as i mentioned in my original post, cleveland's policy with respect to advertising in the public right of way is not unique in northeast ohio. however, in practice the main areas where advertising revenue will be both substantial enough and is needed to support additional amenities, are usually going to be in the city proper. the restriction on advertising in public right of way has also slowed getting recycling containers downtown and around the city, and the combined newspaper machines you often see in other cities. in defense of the city, the triangular kiosks downtown are the one exception, and a few years ago the city made a decision that these kiosks would be the only advertising in the public right of way.

did this section have granite curbs before? i notice that the new work is all concrete. but, i'm extremely excited about how fast this is happening. does anyone know how this is only $60k? there appears to be 3 sewer moves, no electrical or water relocations, and just removal of road and pouring new concrete, but it still seems cheap and at this cost and speed, a lot should be a lot of street improvements accomplished downtown.

city of cleveland has public right of way restrictions on private advertising - in some cases rta has had trouble even putting their own advertisements (the old gasoline pumps) on shelters. these restrictions also exist in lakewood and cleve heights (and probably most other cities around here as well). there are exceptions, including the sponsorship of healthline stations - but even here the sponsorship is much more the announcement of the stop and "sponsored by..." than it is a large advertisement on the station itself. this is one of the areas that has hampered rta is rolling out additional amenities at downtown stops - lighting, schedule info, spot heating, etc. - there is no advertising revenue stream to pay for these improvements that you often see in other major cities (chicago, ny, for example)

all of the new articulated buses are supposed to arrive by end of july, but there are already a number that have been delivered. i don't think any will go to revenue service until sometime in august.