KJP

Fascinating developments with these ultra-cheap bus services! Is there a web site available or is the info available just by flyer? Does the bus arrive Cleveland at 5 p.m. or is that the NYC departure time? I'm going to post a reference to this in the string in the transportation section concerning Megabus. I think it would be helpful to have this information all in one place.

I agree. But not everyone is smart enough or educated enough to get a job in biotech or some of the other new-economy jobs (myself included!). Since a job is the best social program there is, how do we get our unemployed employed? We've lost a lot of the manufacturing jobs that gave a segment of the population a chance to be productive and earn good wages so they can afford to improve their education, or to give their kids a chance at a life that's better than what they had. Retailing jobs just don't cut it, least of all at places like WalMart and Target. How many of us can say we have a greater standing of living than our parents (without going into debt hell!). Granted, many of you are still in your low- to mid-20s, so it's too soon to say. But many of us who are in our 30s and older are behind where our parents were at the same age. And a big reason for that is the good-paying manufacturing jobs just aren't here any more. There are many reasons why we've not kept up our manufacturing prowess. But one of them is the lack of new entreprenurial start-ups and the support systems for them. The support systems include incubators (including inexpensive facilities, access to capital, expertise etc), training/continuing education, transportation, and so on. I think one of the greatest opportunities for Greater Cleveland's economy is alternative energy. If eventually done on large scale, the Flats is the ideal place for it. Consider coal liquefaction -- it's a huge opportunity for us, given the proximity of coal fields to Cleveland, the rail linkages from the coal fields to the Flats and, once processed, can be shipped by boat elsewhere in the U.S. and world. I don't know if I'm getting off track here, but I sense that I am. So I'll shut up now.

The article to which Dukakis is responding can be found here: http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=513424 The woman who wrote it has zero understanding of transportation policy and their outcomes in the U.S. and overseas. Unfortunately, too many in Congress (or the White House and the Federal Railroad Administration) have reacted without research just as has she had. _______________ Amtrak Needs More Federal Backing, Not Privatization May 17 2006 - The Harvard Crimson By: MICHAEL S. DUKAKIS To the editors: Re "Plane Pain," op-ed, May 10, Emily Ingram tells us that the answer to inadequate rail passenger service in the United States is to privatize Amtrak just the way the British privatized their national rail system.

The industry in the Flats isn't going anywhere anytime soon -- not when there's a navigable waterway with an international reach, railways and highways immediately available. What's wrong with industry anyway? We in Cleveland, in Ohio, and in America still need to be able to make things. When nations stop making things and depend on others to do it for them, as we're doing with China, Thailand, India etc. etc., a nation's world prominence weakens. Look at what happened to England in the early 20th Century. America was England's China back then. I proposed the business incubators and live-work because we can't build a local economy on delivering pizzas to each other, and because drawing a major employer from another city is extremely difficult. The Standard Oils, TRWs and Office Maxs were all once small businesses started by local entrepenuers. We've gotten away from that. What better place to grow new business than in the Flats, with the aforementioned transportation access I mentioned earlier? If it were up to me, I would never have wanted even a mixed use center, shopping center or similar use where SYC is being built. It should be industry -- period. We have many river valleys in Greater Cleveland (including the natural areas of the Cuyahoga above the industrial Flats). We can't lose industrial access to a navigable waterway -- a truly unique natural resource! As oil prices continue to rise, access to water-borne shipping will be even more important in the coming years. We should celebrate and cherish our industry, not pretend we're like everyone else. We have something special that folks in Youngstown, Warren, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Wheeling-Steubenville and many other cities would love to have back. If someone doesn't like our industrial settings, then they sure picked the wrong place to live.

RiverViewer -- I don't expect us to win the championship this year or even outlast the Pistons. I figured the playoffs would just be a learning experience for the Cavs to take the next step next year. But, yes, I'm enjoying watching them learn. If we could just get another big-time playa to complement Lebron and take some heat off him. Like Jordan needed Scottie Pippen (without the baggage), Lebron needs __________!

Thanks for the heads up!

RTA has said it will extend both the #81 and the Tremont Circulator routes into SYC. That doesn't make it easier for those living on the east side of the river to reach it, though. Someday, when the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad gets extended to Tower City, then it will become potentially more convenient to reach SYC -- depending how often CVSR runs its diesel rail car shuttle train. Still, I think SYC is a huge missed opportunity to become a truly mixed use center. I would have loved to see business incubators and live-work lofts down there atop the stores, with residential scattered above other retailers. It could have been a special place. Instead, it's hardly distinguishable from other shopburbias.

Not yet. NOACA's TIP shows the station design won't start until sometime this year (costing $260,000). Construction is slated to begin in 2008, estimated to cost $2.28 million. See http://www.noaca.org/TIP13may05.pdf for more info.

^ Thanks for the offer! That would actually be neat for a subway tour visual, since that was old proposed routing anyway. Although the subway would become a surface/elevated line where Walnut goes down the hill south of 8th (but you probably already know that -- more for the benefit of other readers).

I don't know... The last time we sought legislation from the Ohio General Assembly (to have Ohio join the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission at the break-back sum of $19,000), Rep. Jim Trakas of Independence was one of only a few Ohio reps to vote against it. I don't remember who the others were, but they were downstate. Trakas is (was?) chair of the Cuyahoga County Republican Party. Next time anyone sees him, tell him better rail service is important to you!

Pittsburgh also has it.

Gentlemen, that is a superb site! I used it to follow my preferred (same as the old/proposed!) routing of the subway/surface rail line into downtown - Central to Walnut, emerging to surface operation south of Court Street and keeping the line on the east side of Walnut. Just my two cents, for a change... :wink:

Thanks for the clarification.

There was a nice article in the latest issue of Railway Age about the changing face of light rail, and specifically noted some of the diesel light-rail projects (New Jersey, California, Ottawa etc.) that have recently come on line or are about to. One I find particulary interesting is the new service north of San Diego. It is being offered as a low-density branch line from the main Los Angeles-San Diego route. Here are some links to more information about it -- and consider the applications this might have here in Ohio (including a permanent service between Lorain and Cleveland).... http://www.gonctd.com/oerail/oerail.html A brochure about the train equipment they will use: http://www.gonctd.com/oerail/sprinterpdf/sprinterbroch1_04pages.pdf

Looks like East Cleveland! :-o How do we get on these tangents!?!?

^ Accessibility can often trump price, however. How many of us go to the convenience store or drug store to buy some something that's less expensive at the grocery store, but we don't want to deal with getting in and out of the grocery store. When Giant Eagle moves from just down the street from me in what is a walkable setting, to about a mile or two farther away that will require that I drive, I will be less likely to use it simply for the accessibility aspect. Price isn't always the driving factor (oops, bad pun).

I was looking on GoogleEarth at some of the neighborhood underpasses in Washington D.C. to get some ideas on how to design a similar underpass at the end of the Blue Line. Of course, at places like Dupont Circle, the rail line is below everything, so that's not entirely transferrable to Cleveland. Putting the Blue Line in a below-grade station adds some complicating factors of access, safety and visual attractiveness. Those issues can be addressed, so I'm not saying it's impossible, just more complicated. I think what RTA will be doing station-wise at Lee Road and Van Aken might offer some insight as to what might be done at Warrensville -- treat the station area as if it were a subway. Build the station entrance above the tracks to completely cover them, creating a plaza area that provides an uninterrupted visual appearance at street level and drop a single stairwell/elevator to a center platform below.

^ The IRS number isn't a bad number to use, although it was briefly increased to 48.5 cents per mile late last year and may rise again from 44.5 cents if gas prices continue at or above their current levels (see http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=105708,00.html or http://www.turbotax.com/articles/taking_business_tax_deductions.html ). I believe those costs may include an average parking cost divided to reach the per-mile figure. But AAA has some interesting numbers to consider. They state that, for a car owned and driven 15,000 miles per year, the average cost to the owner is $7,800, or 56 cents per mile. When you apply that 56 cents per mile to your commute, you may be shocked at the figure at be tempted to give up that second or third car which sits idle 95 percent of the time. As for the rail cars, RTA (including Joe Calabrese) remains very interested in a standardized rail car fleet for a number of reasons. These include reduced maintenance costs from not having to keep two separate stocks of repair tools and replacement parts, lower insurance and depreciation costs allowed by a smaller rail car fleet to meet deployment needs, and greater flexibility in providing through service, such as continuing one of the Shaker Lines to the West Side Red Line. As far as I know, the issue of platform heights/rail car floor heights is the only one which prevents a standardized fleet (that and a lack of funds to replace the whole fleet -- which is why RTA is renovating its existing trains first to squeeze more years/miles out of them).

OK, here's the press release.... _________________ Tuesday, May 16, 2006 MEDIA CONTACT: Jerry Masek 216.566.5211 Posted at rideRTA.com RTA Board approves fare increase – first in 13 years CLEVELAND – Pushed by fuel costs that have more than tripled in recent years, the Board of Trustees of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) today approved the first system-wide fare increase since 1993. To lessen the impact on customers, the Board approved a two-step increase. Most fares will increase 25 cents on July 1, 2006, and 25 cents on Jan. 7, 2008. “More than 90 percent of RTA customers either purchase passes or qualify for reduced fares,” says CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese. “This means the average fare we collect per ride is far less than the established cash fares. In 2005, we saw collected an average of 69 cents. If the current mix of riders continue, today’s action will increase the average fare by 14 cents in July, and 14 more cents in 2008.” Calabrese notes that farebox revenue is not used for capital projects, such as the Euclid Corridor. Customer surveys showed overwhelming support for balancing the budget with a fare increase instead of service reductions, Calabrese says. Highlights of today’s action: RTA is moving toward a common fare for bus and rail. All passes will be accepted for full fare after July 1. Park-N-Ride bus customers and Football Flyer customers will pay a bit more for premium service. Weekly and monthly passes are being added for seniors/disabled. The discount continues for seniors/disabled. Although. Federal law allows RTA to charge more than the base rate, Paratransit customers will continue to pay only the base rate ADA clients can continue to use fixed-route bus and rail service at no charge. Background According to the American Public Transportation Association, no major transit system in the nation has gone without a fare increase longer than RTA. Fuel costs have risen: $4 million in 2002 to an estimated $14 million in 2006. RTA uses about 5.4 million gallons of fuel each year, so a penny increase in diesel fuel adds $54,000 to RTA’s operating budget. Because of a commitment to the environment, RTA uses ultra low sulfur “clean diesel” fuel, which costs about 12 cents more per gallon. In recent years, RTA has reduced its workforce by 366 positions, reduced its fleet by 106 buses, consolidated garages and increased productivity. As a result, RTA has eliminated more than $25 million annually from its operating budget. In recent years, State funding for transit has been cut by 63 percent. RTA ridership: About 200,000 on an average weekday, and more than 57 million in 2005. The agency has put together three straight years of ridership growth. Eight public hearings were held in late April and early May. In 1993, the date of the last fare increase, the average cost of a gallon of gasoline was $1.07. “Despite these necessary increases, RTA still remains a bargain -- the most cost-effective way to travel,” Calabrese says. How will RTA’s fare increase affect you? Bus: $1.25 Local cash fare will rise to $1.50 in July, and $1.75 in 2008. Local and Express cash fares, tickets and passes will be equal. 5-ride tickets will go to $7.50 in July and $8.75 in 2008. $3 All-Day Pass will go to $3.50 in July and $4 in 2008 $11.25 Weekly Pass will go to $15 in July and $17.50 in 2008. $45 Monthly Pass will go to $58 in July and $63 in 2008. Express Rapid: $1.50 cash fare will rise to $1.75 in July. 5-ride tickets will go to $7.50 in July and $8.75 in 2008. $3 All-Day Pass will go to $3.50 in July and $4 in 2008. $13.50 Weekly Pass will go to $15 in July and $17.50 in 2008. $54 Monthly Pass will go to $58 in July and $63 in 2008. Community Circulators: $0.75 cash fare will be the same in July and $1 in 2008. 5-ride tickets will go to $3.75 in July and $5 in 2008. ( - more - ) Page 3, fares Park-N-Ride bus service: Affects #246, #251, #263, #239, #51 and #451 $1.50 cash fare will rise to $1.75 in July, and $2 in 2008. Riders can pay 25 cents extra when using a regular bus/rail ticket. 5-ride tickets will go to $8.75 in July and $10 in 2008. $3 All-Day Pass will go to $3.50 in July and $4 in 2008. $13.50 Weekly Pass will go to $17.50 in July and $20 in 2008. $54 Monthly Pass will go to $63 in July and $70 in 2008. Seniors/disabled: 50-cent cash fare will rise to 60 cents in July and 75 cents in 2008. 5-ride tickets will go to $3 in July, $3.75 in 2008. $1 All-Day Pass will go to $1.25 in July and $1.75 in 2008. Weekly Pass (new), $6 in July and $7.50 in 2008 Monthly Pass (new), $24 in July and $29 in 2008 Out-of-county: $2.50 cash fare will rise to $2.75 in July, and $3 in 2008, for routes that extend out-of-the-county for more than one mile. No additional charge for seniors/disabled Persons using a bus/Rapid ticket will pay an additional $1.25. Persons using a Park-N-Ride ticket will pay an additional $1. Students: $1 for a single-ride ticket will rise to $1.25 in July and $1.50 in 2008. Available only to authorized schools Children ages 6-12: $1 Children’s All-Day Pass goes to $1.25 in July and $1.75 in 2008. Up to three children under age six can ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Paratransit: $1.25 cash fare will rise to $1.50 in July and $1.75 in 2008. 5-ride tickets will go to $7.50 in July and $8.75 in 2008. $11.25 Weekly Pass will rise to $15 in July and $17.50 in 2008. $45 Monthly Pass will rise to $58 in July and $63 in 2008. Paratransit customers and seniors with special passes can continue to ride free on RTA fixed-route service. Football Flyers: $2.50 cash fare each way. No passes will be accepted. Questions? Send e-mail to HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected] or call 216-621-9500.

It's been $54 since 1993 -- the last time RTA had a fare increase.

Consider looking at fares for more than just transit agencies in the Bay Area. I think you'll find they are comparable to RTA's (even after RTA's planned fare hike that will be announced later today. I'm supposed to get a heads-up as soon as the board makes their decision and will post it here). But look at multiple transit systems before you form an opinion. Also, with RTA's day pass, the more you ride, the less expensive it gets. RTA found that the average fare paid per passenger was actually only 69 cents per vehicle trip. Back to San Fran.... There are multiple transit operators in the Bay Area, and this list doesn't even include shuttles between rail stations: Bus Systems AC Transit (Local service) AC Transit (Transbay service) American Canyon Transit Benicia Breeze Cloverdale Transit County Connection Dumbarton Express Fairfield-Suisun Transit Golden Gate Transit Healdsburg In-City Transit Muni (SF) Petaluma Transit samTrans Santa Clara VTA Santa Rosa CityBus Sonoma County Transit St. Helena VINE Tri Delta Transit Union City Transit Vacaville City Coach Vallejo Transit VINE (Napa County) WestCAT WHEELS Other Systems AirBART Burlingame Shuttle Emery Go-Round Foster City Shuttle Marin County Shuttle Connection Menlo Park Midday Shuttle Napa Downtown Trolley Palo Alto Shuttle Presidio Shuttle San Leandro Links (shuttle) Stanford Marguerite Shuttle UC Berkeley Campus Shuttle West Berkeley Shuttle West Marin Stagecoach Yountville Shuttle Rail Systems ACE (Altamont Commuter Express) Amtrak - Capitol Corridor & Regional Services BART Caltrain Muni (SF) (Light Rail) Santa Clara VTA (Light Rail) Ferry Systems Alameda Harbor Bay Ferry Alameda/Oakland Ferry Angel Island/Tiburon Ferry Blue & Gold Fleet Golden Gate Ferry Vallejo Baylink Ferry Dial-a-Ride Calistoga Handy Van Rio Vista Delta Breeze VINE Go (Napa County)

If the Cavs go to the playoffs in five straight years, win the Central Division in four of them, go to the conference championship in three years and get lots of songs written about them and Lebron (as was done for the Bernie and the Browns), then Lebron will have done as much for the Cavs and Bernie did for the Browns. I was 18 when Bernie agreed to come home to Northeast Ohio, and I can't begin to tell you how excited I was. I was a huge Browns fan back then. I remember there was a song on the radio that summer (of 1985) about Bernie coming home, so I wasn't the only one. It was an electric time that got even better as Bernie grew as a player. When the offensive line lost some of its better players to injuries and free agency in the 1988 and 1989, Bernie the pocket passer got hurt and was never as successful as he was in 1986 and 1987. But those were some wonderful years even though we didn't make the Super Bowl. I've soured on professional sports since then for a variety of reasons, but I still have many of those games from the 1980s on video. I watch them on the rare occasion to remember an era when I still admired sports stars, the Browns organization seemed rock solid, and the future was limitless. I'm sorry -- what team were we talking about?? :laugh:

^ Rasheed already has. When asked about the Cavs winning two games against the Pistons, he replied: "Even the sun shines on a dog's ass once in a while." Classy guy. I think his teammates should go to Oakland County Civil Court tomorrow and file a gag order against Rasheed.

Just an FYI.... The Ohio Senate Highways & Transportation Committee will vote tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon on SCR-30, a resolution of support to Congress on behalf of the Ohio Hub Plan. The resolution supports the ORDC request for federal funding for the first year of the Environmental Impact Study. Committee Chairman Sen. Armbruster said he believes it will pass without debate. There should be more details available by late Tuesday. A concurrent resolution is moving through the Ohio House, sponsored by Rep. Larry Flowers. Reportedly he is asking perimission from the Speaker to take it directly to the floor for a vote, as he has 25 co-sponsors. In both cases, support for the resolutions is bi-partisan.

Here's a slightly larger image.... I'd like to see how they're going to get cars down to the river level. I'd also like to know why they want to. The site plan shows a parking garage and a 40-space surface parking lot of the same footprint as the garage, above it and at ground level flush with the top of the hill. I'll see if I can get that and post it.