JMasek

^ for more detailed info, click on this link, and then go to the PDF link for the Service Management Plan. http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/index.asp?listingid=1679

On Saturday, Nov. 19, all East Side Rapid transit service (Red, Green and Blue Lines) will be replaced by shuttle buses between start of service and noon. This service interruption is due to Innerbelt-related work that will take place over the RTA tracks. Red Line East Side replacement buses will serve all stations between Tower City and the Louis Stoke Station at Windermere. The HealthLine will be an alternative for some riders. Blue and Green Line replacement buses will serve all stations between Tower City and Green Road, and between Tower City and Van Aken/Warrensville. All buses will pick up and drop off on Public Square, in front of the former Higbee’s Department Store, at the B-Line/E-Line Trolley stop. Waterfront and West Side Red Line rapid service will operate as usual. Bus departure times will be similar to the schedule for regular Rapid transit service, but travel will be slower. While delays will be kept to a minimum, travelers should allow extra time to reach their destinations. Regular Rapid service will be resume at noon.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the RTA Board Room, there will be a public meeting to discuss the planning of a West Side Transit Center mixed-use development. The meeting is sponsored by RTA, the Historic Warehouse District and the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. Help us shape the vision. I'm sure there will be a method of collecting ideas from those who cannot attend the meeting. When that method is set, I will post it here.

^ Thanks for your input. I talked to several people at RTA, and here is the best answer I can give you. "When the HealthLine changes (spring at the earliest), RTA will extend the #7 and #32 to connect with the HealthLine at Euclid Avenue during some time periods. Many details will be worked out during the winter." I realize that this answer may not satisfy the never-ending desire for more details, but it will have to do for now, while details are still being worked out. Thanks for riding RTA.

^ The City of Cleveland is responsible for maintaining all trees. The Department of Urban Forestry is part of the Division of Parks Maintenance. Visit them on the Web at: http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/CityAgencies/ParksRecreationandProperties/DivisionofParkMaintenanceandProperties?_piref34_17237_34_3873_3873.tabstring=Urban%20Forestry You can also send e-mail to Rick Silva, Commissioner of Parks Maintenance, [email protected] I hope this helps.

This just in...Ridership on the HealthLine has improved each month since service began. Ridership in September was up 9.8 percent. Total rides were 416,400, or 37,000 more than last year. That makes September its highest ridership month ever.

The Innerbelt construction project affects everyone.

On Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 29-30, all East Side Rapid transit service will be replaced with buses. Buses will remain in service until regular Rapid transit service is restored at start of service Monday morning, October 31. Red Line East Side replacement buses will serve all stations between Tower City and the Louis Stokes Station at Windermere. The HealthLine is an alternative for some riders. Blue and Green Line replacement buses will serve all stations between Tower City and Green Road, and between Tower City and Van Aken/Warrensville. Waterfront and West Side Red Line rapid service will operate as usual. The Tower City Bus Stop is on Public Square at the trolley stop in front of the former Higbee department store. Bus departure times will be similar to the schedule for regular rapid transit service, but travel will be slower. Please allow extra time for your trip. This temporary replacement of Rapid transit service is needed for the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Innerbelt construction project. RTA apologizes for the inconvenience.

The September ridership report is filled with great news. Ridership is up in virtually every category, both for the month and year-to-date. The leader was the Red Line -- up 9.6 percent for the month, and 14.6 percent year-to-date.

Thanks for your insight. I have forwarded your message along.

jam40jeff had a question about slow times on the Red Line on Saturday, Oct. 15. I offer 2 comments. 1. The Viaduct shutdown was Oct. 8-12. It's over, and no other Red Line traffic is being affected. 2. There is often rail work being done on weekends, as the usage is much lower than weekends. This often creates a need for single tracking. I suspect that is what happened. We apologize for the inconvenience.

For more information on the Lee-Van Aken station and other projects, I direct you to this release, which summarizes Board action on Oct. 11. It includes a link to a PDF on the proposed 2012 capital budget. http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/index.asp?listingid=1660

"Ask our friends in Cincinnati about buses and trolleys. They're having quite the controversy over it down there." We know. The Cincinnati folks called RTA frequently for information on our trolleys, while they were developing their initial proposal.

The number of buses varied for peak and off-peak times, because the demand varied. Also, some buses (especially during off-peak times) made the 3-mile round trip to and from Tower City with much less than a full load. During rush hours, a fully loaded 3-car train filled about 4 buses, with some standees. (I worked 3 days, 6:30-9 am, at W. 25). Some buses were standard low-floor coaches, and a few were MCIs.

Yes , the Green Line. But what about the rest of the crossings on the blue line in Cleveland? From RTA Safety Director Pamela McCombe: About 5 years ago, RTA and the City of Shaker Heights installed illuminated "no left turn" signs along the Blue and Green rail lines in that city. The signs are lit only when there is a train in the area. Just recently, signs were upgraded in the Shaker Square area, as part of a joint project with the City of Cleveland and RTA. All road crossings along the Waterfront Line already have crossing gates, so every light-rail crossing that RTA uses has the proper safety warnings.

""The best way is for them to contact me, provide specific locations and we will look at them on a case-by-case basis." -- From Bryan K. Moore, Bus Shelter & Signage Maintenance Supervisor, RTA, [email protected]

If you are collecting info to be shared with others, such as city leaders, and you don't call them trolleys, then you are being counter-productive, in my opinion. I am sure you have some historic reason for not using the trolley name, but that is how they are known, that is how they are loved, and that "branding" is what RTA has been working for. They are a different siz, shape and color. They are green, fun, easy to use and free, and they often carry more than 4,000 people a day. The operators, called "trolley ambassadors", are chosen for their customer service skills, and trained to answer a myriad of questions from visitors. Thanks.

^ FYI, you found this item on cleveland.com, but it comes from the Sun Newspapers, not from the PD. RTA unveiled the first look at its 2012 proposed capital budget Tuesday, and Lee-Van Aken was included. I am at home now, but I will try to post more tomorrow when I am back at the office.

I can only answer generally.... 1. We are always looking to improve the way we do things, and I will pass along the comments about the HealthLine graphics, etc. 2. The way that new downtown facilities will integrate with transit is the topic of on-going conversations with RTA, city fathers, and major developers. Obviously, if you want visitors to our city to get from Point A to Point B as easy as possible, you try to design easy-to-use routes and facilities. I know one thing under discussion is expanded trolley service, both in routes and on evening and weekends. That has been said in public several times. 3. Another issue which has not been discussed here (at least not recently that I recall) is the proposed remake of Public Square. Some want to make this more of a "people" zone, and move the transit service to other areas of downtown. RTA is taking an active part in those discussions. Every action has a consequence, and we want people to fully realize what would happen if certain proposals become reality. 4. As reality changes, the maps will change. I hope this helps.

The new East 55th Street Rapid Station was formally dedicated yesterday. The station has been in use for about a month. Please check it out.

Thanks for the question. RTA has guidelines as where bus stops should -- and should not -- be placed. I will pass your note along to person who is in charge of such things, and he will respond to you personally. Please send your e-mail to me at [email protected]

^ I am not sure what you mean. If you are referring to the signs along the light-rail Green Line, most of the above-ground rail is in Shaker Heights. The program was a joint effort of RTA and the City of Shaker Heights. If you can clarify your question, I will try to get you an answer.

And from this morning, one "artsy-fartsy" photo:

Some viaduct construction photos:

Just got back from working 3 hours at the West 25th Street Rapid Station, helping customers transfer from bus to rail and back. It was a smooth operation. There were lots of vehicles and lots of staff. I heard only one complaint. No one had to wait for a bus, there were always several ready to go. We expect a lot more riders on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you rode the Rapid today and want to share your experience, we'd love to hear from you.