JeTDoG

The conditions are not mutually exclusive, and the situation is far from absurd. RTA, as any transit agency, provides as a core service the ability to get people from where they live to where they work, and back. Keeping that economic engine going enables those employed individuals to spend money, which increases local sales tax revenues. Those sales tax revenues form the bulk of RTA's operating funding. Methinks the article was a victim of overzealous editing that simplified the situation.

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1345 Please note the date on the press release mentioned above -- Sept. 18, 2009. Furthermore, while our field supervisors do everything in their power to ensure that our operators are performing their jobs as safely as possible, the truth is that in sheer numbers, operators outweigh supervisors. This is where each and every RTA passenger comes into play. RTA has espoused a long-standing mantra of "if you see something, say something". While this was started in response to potential terror threats, it applies to ANY circumstance in which something you see "just isn't right". You're on a bus where the driver is talking on his cell phone while operating the vehicle? Let us know the bus number, the operator ID (if available), the time & place -- more detail is better, but any amount will do. It will be investigated and dealt with accordingly.

Thanks, Straphanger, I was just about to recommend our online feedback form, at http://www.riderta.com/feedback. This is the best means of getting a message in to RTA, as it all feeds into a central response management system -- even phone calls ultimately get input to that system, so doing it directly "avoids the middleman", if you will. While the design of the form is generally applicable to trip-specific issues, the "other details" field can be used to report items like broken shelter glass. Just be as specific as possible, including the shelter number (usually displayed in large digits on the top of the shelter) if possible for quickest response. As has already been mentioned, whatever method you use for communication, please keep it civil, and remember there's a person on the other end of any conversation.

Strap- Thanks for the kind words. I did some spot checking, and I see what you mean about the stops still being listed. I know from prior experience that Google's data layer that shows the stops isn't necessarily updated as quickly or as often as the trip planning data. Google currently processes information from nearly 450 transit agencies worldwide, as has been going through some "growing pains" themselves lately. I will certainly inquire with them as to when such an update might happen, but would not be surprised if it takes a week or more. Thankfully, as you noted, the stops correctly show no schedule data when clicked upon, and I know our crews have been working diligently to make sure all physical signs get removed in as timely a fashion as possible. As far as the system map, I'll see where we stand on that. Just to give you some insight on that process, we have one extremely hard-working individual who is responsible for most of the printed products that get distributed to the riding public -- this means maps, schedules, Riders' Digests, many of the "car cards" displayed inside RTA vehicles, etc... I know we want to keep the map updated at least annually, and he and I are working on means to make the online product more current while ensuring accessibility for the broadest audience possible.

I can address your first two questions, since I'm directly responsible for the first item, and was asking the very same question about the HealthLine vs. the 7 & 32. Google Transit files were prepared yesterday, and Google does their processing on a weekly basis, on Thursdays, with the update appearing online the following Friday, 8 days later (this is Google's processing schedule for ALL transit systems, not just ours). This means that information for April 4 and beyond will be available on Google as of Friday, March 26. As far as the rerouting of the HealthLine vs. the #7 and #32, it was a question of efficiency and availability of connection/layover space. The HealthLine extension down to University-Cedar was simply the more efficient solution. Both options were considered. I'll leave the ridership numbers to Jerry.

I certainly have seen those luggage racks used on multiple occasions by travelers to and from the airport, so even if their use is inconsistent, it's not to say it's nonexistent. While a trash receptacle of some kind would be a welcome addition, it's unfortunately a bit of a logistical nightmare in this (and I hate, hate, HATE to use this an an excuse, but it is the reality) post-9/11 world. Trash receptacles of any kind in any vaguely public space are routinely scrutinized and debated as potential locations for explosives, and the container itself needs to be evaluated for shrapnel-causing potential. I've seen locations where trash receptacles have had their lids welded or bolted shut due to security concerns.

A few musings on trip planning (since I was the champion and chief implementer of getting RTA's data on Google): the trip planning process' outputs are only as good, reliable, and reproducible as its inputs; based on the data supplied, I wasn't exactly sure what was being requested (6th & Superior? is that East 6th or West 6th?), when it was being requested for ("lunch hour" could be noon? 1:00? 2:00?), and whether arrival or departure time was being prioritized, i.e., did the requestor have a specific time in mind for keeping an appointment, or was it more important to leave immediately and avoid waiting in the snow and cold? these are all important details, and while assumptions can be made, differences in those assumptions (inputs) will yield different prioritization of the returned plans (outputs) to the idea that Google Transit didn't suggest the #25, I just ran the trip with some assumptions (W 6 departure point, leaving at noon), and the #25 was the top-prioritized variant, with two #26/walking combos suggested as alternatives; change the option to arrival by 12:30pm, and the variants change, since the #26/walking combo is graded as the "best" option to minimize dead time on either end, but the #25 is still a secondary option, although it departs at 11:13 and arrives at 11:46 (45 minutes early); the next #25 would be at 12:13/12:46, and would thus cause you to arrive late by the options defined, which is why it's not offered what I'm getting at is that trip planning is, as I've stated before, as much art as science -- every planning algorithm is somewhat different (the algorithm is the "secret sauce" that makes one planning tool "better" than another), every traveler's acceptable nuances are different ("I'd like to be somewhere by 12:30pm, but 12:45pm is still acceptable", "I'm willing to walk, but not more than 10 minutes, and not up any step hills" - try conveying those ideas to a computer!), and this is still, for all its advances, an evolving technology to the comment about "you would need a rapid for that sort of thing", a rapid along Madison might work well for this one instance, assuming the station was located nearby, but to satisfy every instance, at every time, and make sure that there's an effective grid of transportation options, you'd also need a high-density urban environment, and effective funding to ensure adequate frequencies, and good planning to minimize the need for/maximize the efficiency of transfers, and a TOD policy that emphasizes development near stops... I could go on, by my point is that it's all part of a "system", there is no one silver bullet I'm glad many of you are taking the time to explore transit as an option, to use it when it's viable, and to use the tools that we've worked to provide you with

You care because it's the right thing to do. You care because doing the right thing isn't predicated on whether or not you're the only one who's doing it. You care because you want to see viable, sustainable public transit in Cleveland.

What "new schedule" would this be? Nothing's been published, or even decided, yet. Please don't make judgments based on supposition until the facts are available. My source is Google Maps' public transit calculator. Neat trick, considering that data hasn't been provided to Google SINCE IT DOESN'T YET EXIST. Currently, attempting to plan a trip after April 3, 2010 properly results in the message "Sorry, we don't have transit schedule data for " your trip. During rush hour (westbound in the morning, eastbound in the evening), the trip between Cedar-Lee and Chester-E 17 on the #32, a good approximation of the "Heights-CSU" leg, is scheduled at a 30-34 minute run time. Outside of that time frame, transfers are necessary, and have been for some time. Extrapolating the current system state to the future, outside of the time and date range for which data is currently available, is not necessarily an accurate reflection of what the reality will be at that time.

What "new schedule" would this be? Nothing's been published, or even decided, yet. Please don't make judgments based on supposition until the facts are available.

If you can't find it, you're not looking. It's very clearly there, on the front page, and has been for a couple of weeks now - "Our 2010 Fare & Service Proposal". As far as how to minimize disruption by taking alternate routes, any attempt to publish such information at this time would be premature, as the public comment period doesn't end until January 21, and the final decisions won't be made until some time in mid to late February. The public input taken at the hearings will be considered in crafting the final plans. Publishing such information would also be extremely difficult, as everyone's situation is slightly different. I will advocate for the publication of general alternatives as soon as things are finalized, and will also work to have the information on what goes into effect in April, or whenever our final implementation date is, available through such systems as Google Transit, for automated planning assistance, a week or two before such changes become effective.

Thanks, KJP. Along the grassroots lines, I'd like to make everyone aware of a new tool, debuted yesterday, that can help with legislative communication efforts. The web site http://www.fundohiotransitnow.org/ has been set up to allow easy, one-stop advocacy for improved transit funding in the State of Ohio, at both the State and Federal levels. Letters can be customized, if desired, or you can use the stock letters that are provided. Use it, share it, promote it -- FUND OHIO TRANSIT NOW!!!

http://www.riderta.com/budgetchallenges/ It's all laid out for you, in black and white. If you haven't already read this document, I strongly recommend you do so. It will answer many of the questions that have been raised (and may very well prompt some more, which is okay, too).

Just an FYI to everyone, please spread the word about RTA's service schedule for the week of Dec. 28-31. This has been a subject of much speculation and rumor, and the official announcement was made yesterday that we will be running NORMAL WEEKDAY SERVICE during those days. The full press release is at http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1372. A special announcement will also be communicated to our e-news subscribers later today.

Someone else might be more eloquent, but think about that for a moment. Fuel costs might not be the biggest expense. How much does a bus cost? $120,000? How long does it last, 10 years? Some portion of that cost (including any interest if bought on credit, plus maintenance costs - cleaning personnel and mechanics and shop and nighttime parking included) have to come from the fares. I imagine brakes and tires don't last as long on a bus as on your car, given the extra weight and constant start/stop operation. Plus your driver gets what, $10 an hour, plus some retirement, health insurance, employment tax, etc. that work out to actual costs over $20 per hour just for the driver. Your 60+ riders, even at $3 per trip, only bring in $180 per trip. The bus might be full on the way downtown in the morning, but practically empty on its way back out of downtown. And how many full trips will you get in 24 hours, even on a busy route? So your average revenue on your best lines might only be $90 an hour. What about advertising, printing schedules and tickets, maintaining bus stops, maintaining ticket machines, maintaining capacity for special events, etc.? It seems like there are a lot of "hidden" expenses in running a transit system, and I'm probably missing some important ones. I don't have all the information but the numbers don't seem to add up to fares alone covering all the necessary expenses. Foraker: I think you presented the situation just fine, and your presentation belies a "big-picture" understanding of transit economics far greater than that of most people. THANK YOU!

Given the way 90 has been backing up with this construction, it's not surprising. I've actually taken to coming in early in order to be able to be on the 4:05pm out of downtown, which, while it hasn't been rerouted, has been slowed nearly 10 minutes just about every day. I was glad to see state troopers out yesterday ticketing cars riding the shoulder. Take heart -- the construction should only last until October, which is closer than we'd all like to admit. Also, the improvements to St. Clair in midtown have made taking that route a little less bone-jarring.

And once again, suburban NIMBYism rears its ugly head: http://www.masstransitmag.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=9435 Heaven forbid the RTA might want to engage in a business deal that makes beneficial use of one of their facilities and provides for easy intermodal tranfer to local Dayton bus service. What EVER were they thinking?

Just as an FYI, Jerry and I will both be on vacation next week (not together -- not that there's anything wrong with that :-) ), and while I can't speak for him, I know I will not be keeping up with the discussion while I'm away. Have fun, try not to kill each other or any newbies that stop by, and keep fighting the good fight on cleveland.com (and for those who have been doing so, a heartfelt THANK YOU goes out from me!). And, oh yeah, STAY ON TOPIC!!! (good enough, MayDay? ;-) )

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.

Any fare media purchased prior to the increase that goes into effect September 1, 2009 will be good until the expiration date printed on the the media itself, or in the case of activated 7-day and 5-trip media, until it is "used up". There's no need to swap out, redeem, pay additional fare, or otherwise make any adjustment to any media you may have in hand at the time of the increase. In other words, as AMN stated, same protocol as last time.

You could also contact McKinight Associates with your ideas and questions, they are the landscape architect. http://www.mcknightla.com/profile.html They are granite curbs, they are being reused I'm sure, just moved out. You can see it on the pic on cleveland.com Unfortunately, if there was granite there before (and I can't recall if there was), it appears to have been "value engineered" out of the final product, as what's there currently is slipformed concrete :-(. This makes me a sad 'DoG, but I'll deal...the overall result is a welcome improvement, and let me add my voice to those who were presently surprised at the speed with which this took place. As mentioned above, save for a small mid-block section, the new sidewalk has been reopened.

Yeah, my inbox apparently has "issues"... A #39F rider, eh? That's a route that is near and dear to my heart, as I ride it on a daily basis -- I'm sorry we never met in person. It is definitely one of our better-used routes, although the load has gone down lately due to the economy, but it's still pretty well traveled. I know some of the loading in the past was based on the fact that people just wouldn't wisely position themselves, with people who were getting off late along the route constantly taking front seats, and noone wanting to move to the rear of the vehicle. Unfortunately, there's no easy corrective action for a lack of common courtesy. I will say that any attempt to reduce that route beyond a 20 minute frequency will be met by hard resistance from me. The 9500-series coaches, which are frequently used on that route, have seemed a bit grimy at times - I wonder if it's just the soot from the old diesel engines. I've bent the ear of that district's transportation manager on a few occasions, and will continue to do so as necessary. Fortunately, these coaches should be up for retirement soon (approaching their 14th anniversary now as they are).

Grumpy, I'd like to at least address the two issues I've quoted above. If you can provide me some more details about the route(s) where you've noticed overcrowding, inclding as much detail as possible (specific times, days, locations, etc...), I can at least have our scheduling folks look into historical load numbers, perhaps request updated counts, and see if there's anything we can do to help alleviate that problem. We don't want to be in a situation where we're turning away customers on any route. As far as the cleanliness, again, specific details (including 4-digit coach number) would be appreciated, and will help me to route this complaint appropriately. While I'd HOPE that every employee would show a basic commitment to cleaning up their immediate work environment (and for an operator, this means the vehicle), that may not always be the case. "See something, say something" is a mantra that needn't just apply to safety & security.

Doc- I've forwarded your comments on to the Service Quality Manager responsible for the HealthLine, but there is one key piece of information missing -- approximately what time did this take place?

For my own information, since I find these resources to be quite clear in this regard, what aspect of our online information led you to think that the #32 Westbound served downtown outside of the 6:00am - 9:00am time slot already mentioned? If there's something we can improve, I'd like to take the steps to do it.