JMasek

This was just posted RTA recovering from Mother Nature’s fury CLEVELAND - Storm damage from last week continues to cause delays on the Red Line. After a massive lightening strike to RTA’s Red Line signaling system Friday at Hopkins airport, all switches are being controlled manually, not automatically. Due to the manual operation, customers taking Red Line trains will continue to see delays of up to 15 minutes and fewer trains running during rush hours; meaning operating trains will be more full. RTA understands that riders may get home later, or have to leave earlier in the morning to get to work on time, but RTA’s goal is to get them to their destination safely. As of tomorrow, RTA is working on adding a third car to Red Line trains in service, to help with capacity, for the comfort of customers. We apologize for the inconvenience, while the signaling system is being repaired. RTA is working hard to fix the problems as quickly, and as safely, as possible. Currently more than 1,200 customers are being notified of any delays more than 15 minutes. For our new customers, or those who have not yet signed up for Commuter Alerts, they can do so here: www.riderta.com/CommuterAlerts

You are welcome. FYI, this morning I left Hopkins at 7:49 a.m., and got to work in the Warehouse District just after 8:30 a.m. Each time a train stops at a full platform, it takes longer to load. The staff is working hard to keep things moving as smoothly as possible.

I was told that 3-car trains may start tomorrow on some runs, and the speed of the trains may also increase on the far West Side. Please know that we are dealing with safety issues here. Safety is always our number one priority. Things that used to be done automatically are now being done manually. Yes, you may get home a bit later than usual, but you ARE getting home safely. Remember, in life as in baseball, it's the number of times you reach home safely that counts. We appreciate your patience.

I know that there was a LOT of discussion about to best operate the West Side Red Line while key signal equipment is being replaced. I was not in on the discussions. I assume 3-car trains were discussed. I will ask about that today. I personally rode the rail a lot this morning, and made some observations, which I will share with those in charge. There are some new people at the table, and I think it is refreshing. "We have a problem, how do we fix it?" Everything gets considered. Yes, urbanonmcs, it will take more than a day to fix. The exact time frame has not yet been determined. I will continue to monitor this forum more closely than usual this week.

Because of signal issues, riders should expect delays of up to 15 minutes on Red Line trains on Monday, July 25. All trains will serve Hopkins Airport. RTA will not operate the rush-hour-only trains that stop at the Brookpark Station. Please leave early and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

Here's the heads-up on some news that will definitely affect anyone who comes downtown in August. If this affects you, just figure out which method works best for you on keeping informed. The Avengers -- Film crews here cause many RTA route changes downtown in August Hollywood comes to Cleveland this month. That means traffic on some downtown streets will be rerouted. Marvel Studios will film The Avengers in Cleveland from Aug. 5-early September. Exact dates will be determined by the weather. The Avengers is about a team of superheroes whose mission is to protect the Earth. Film crews are expected to generate more than $30 million in revenue while they are here. How to stay plugged in To keep commuters informed of reroutes, RTA officials are utilizing many communications tools. 1. For daily updates and an interactive map, go to riderta.com/avengers. Sign up for Avenger-specific Alerts, and have film-related updates sent to your personal computer or mobile device via e-mail and/or text message. 2. “Like” RTA on Facebook.com/rideRTA. 3. Follow RTA on Twitter @GCRTA. RTA uses the hashtag #avengers for Avengers-related tweets. 4. Go to rideRTA.com/e-news, and sign up for the RTA e-newsletter, which comes out every two weeks with updates. 5. Read daily updates in The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com 6. Go to your usual bus station or shelter. Signs will direct you to the nearest stop for your route. 7. Call the RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500. Mayor supports filming “Movies like this are important for Cleveland’s image and our economy,” says Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “We appreciate RTA’s cooperation in accommodating the Marvel Studios crews and ask all Clevelanders to be patient and to show Marvel the warm hospitality that we are known for.” To accommodate filming, some streets will be closed at various times. Crews may need more of the street than just the blocks used for filming. * East Ninth Street, between Prospect and Walnut avenues. * Walnut Ave., which runs between East Ninth and East 12th streets, just north of Chester Ave. * Euclid Avenue, from Ontario Street to East 14th Street. * In front of the old Cuyahoga County Courthouse, at Lakeside Avenue and Ontario Street. * Public Square’s SW Quadrant, in front of Tower City. On filming days, the entire Public Square will be blocked off. * The Detroit-Superior Bridge. Some downtown parking lots will be used by film crews. Some on-street parking has been eliminated. Many routes affected “Traffic detours are a fact of life whenever Hollywood comes to town,” says RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese. “We urge our customers to follow the updates on our Web site, plan their trips ahead of time, allow extra time for travel, and be patient. We value your understanding.” These bus routes are expected to be re-routed, on select days. The exact schedule will be announced. Stay tuned for updates. * HealthLine, E-Line trolley, B-Line trolley. * #1, #3, #8, #9, #11, #14, #15, #19, #20, #20A, #21, #22, #26, #35, #38, #39, #45, #45A, #47, #51, #55/55F, #76, #77, #79A/B, #81, #90F, #135, #239, #246, #251, #263, #451.

Light-rail ridership was up 1.7 percent.

June ridership highlights: * Systemwide: up 4.3 percent, or 154,000 rides * Average weekday ridership, up 5.2 percent or 7,600 rides per day * Heavy rail: up 17.8 percent * HealthLine: up 12.9 percent * Bus: up 2.7 percent, highesyt in two years * Trolley: up 9 percent, to 4,015 rides per day * Bikes: 4,600, up 6.7 percent ...and away we go.

For several years, RTA's Citizen Advisory Board helped spearhead a program called "Moving Minds." I am not sure if the program is being continued. We also have a committee that reviews proposals for major art at customer facilities. http://www.riderta.com/ar_organization-art.asp

"Cleveland doesn’t often get recognition for being a leader in innovative transportation – but maybe it should. " http://dc.streetsblog.org/2011/07/05/cleveland%E2%80%99s-center-running-brt-route-the-healthline-sparks-development/

^ I rarely use the station, so I do not know, but I will check.

Here is the answer from the person who monitors our elevators and escalators... The escalator is out of service due to extensive rust damage from winter salt and water. Kone is working on a repair quote. The quote is delayed due to part availability. Some parts will have to be custom fabricated, adding to the delay. The escalator cannot be opened to be used as stairs because a trip hazzard exists. As the steps come out of the pit, the first 4 steps are not the same height rise. The same goes for the 4 steps at the top of the escalator. We are diligently working to restore the escalator back to service.

McCleveland asked: "Is the interesection of van aken and shaker blvd in the plans" for grade crossing improvements? The answer is yes. The timetable will be set when funding is secured.

In 2011, RTA's operating fund is $225 million. RTA is assured of getting $2 million in State funds, and we "may" get up to $8 million. That depends of the provisions in the two-year State budget that takes effect July 1, 2011. The bill is still being debated in the Statehouse.

CLEJoe, the Red Line Rapid Station now at East 120 Street and Euclid Avenue will eventually be moved to Little Italy, where it will be known as the Mayfield (Road) Station. Design should be completed in about a year. When funding sources are firm, a construction contract will be awarded, and work will begin.

CLEJoe, the restaurant is locally-owned, not a national brand, and is physically located inside the Rapid Station. Go into the front door and turn right. Part of the front window belongs to the eatery.

[ Earlier this year, the RTA Board awarded a contract to design improvements to seven light-rail crossings. The design work is nearly complete. Construction contracts will be awarded in two sets. The first set will be for work on four crossings in 2011 and 2012. These include 3 Blue Line crossings (Ashby, Avalon and South Woodland), and Lee Road on the Green Line. The second set will probably be done completely in 2012. It includes Drexmore and Southington on the Blue Line, and Eaton on the Green Line. All work is being coordinated with the City of Shaker Heights. Detours and specific info will be announced as each closing is finalized.

CLEJoe asked: Do buses come up to the Windmere station? Yes, if you check the #66 (Red Line) schedule, you will see that the station is served by the HealthLine 24/7, as well as #3, #28, #30, #37 and #41. By the way, a restaurant just re-opened in the front of the Windermere, so stop in for breakfast...have some bagels with your bus, or some toast with your train.

The answer is a low single-digit percentage, am checking now to see what that is in 2011. (stay tuned). The problem is priorities. Right now, transit funding comes from the State's General Fund, where you have giant needs, like education and public safety. Transit leaders believe that the State needs a dedicated source of funding, so funding is not left to political winds.

I believe you are mostly correct. I know a contract was awarded. I will check tomorrow to get more precise info.

I have seen riders park their bike near the operator window, and then sit down 10 seats away. The guidelines ask you to stay with your bicycle. I have also seen riders use their bike to block the doorway, and of course, that's wrong too. On the Red Line, doors are always in pairs. Only one side of the car is used for exit and entrance. Parking your bike on the other side, away from passengers coming and going, is the preferred place. Most wheelchair areas are probably not large enough to accommodate an entire bicycle, although some cars have an extra seat taken out. There may not be a "perfect" way to mix people and bicycles, so please use common sense. Stay with your bicycle, and do as much as possible to promote the free flow of riders off and on. In all cases, the operator is in charge of rider safety. I have not seen your name before, so let me introduce myself. I am Jerry Masek, from RTA Marketing. If you have more questions, you can always contact me at [email protected]. Thanks for riding RTA.

Deputy GM Mike York shared this information on the history of the W. 25th elevator for the past 18 months. "The current situation is a failed fire alarm smoke detector inside the elevator cab. The elevator fire alarm is separate from the station fire alarms and when it is not working, the elevator will not operate. It has been down since last Wednesday, June 15. Kone has the part on order. The only other times since Jan. 1, 2010 that the elevator was down for a day or more were: 5/29/10 - 6/2/10 (3 days) for a control wiring problem; and 10/20/10 - 10/21/10 (one day) for replacement of door sliding guide shoes."

May ridership numbers were released today. The news is good. * Total ridership up 8.3 percent. * Bus up 7.4 percent, highest in two years. * HealthLine up 5.0 percent. * Trolley up 17 percent, with 4,000 average daily ridership * Total bus up 7.1 percent. * Heavy rail up 19.3 percent. * Light rail up 3.6 percent. * Total rail up 13.9 percent. * Average weekday ridership rose 6.4 percent. * 4,000 bikes carried on transit. * YTD, ridership is down .08 percent, we expect to pull even next month. Thanks for your support.

The posts regarding West 25th Street have been forwarded to the proper person at RTA. I am sorry that there was a problem. It happened Friday, and this is the next work day, so the Web site complant process may not have generated a reply yet. RTA monitors this Forum regularly. After learning what happened, I made it a priority to get involved. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Good questions, I spoke with Michael York, Deputy GM of Operations, who reports directly to the GM. Operations is the largest division at RTA, with all bus and rail service, Transit Police, Service Planning, and a section called Facilities Maintenance. There are two rail "districts", East Side and West Side. Because of the budget, the department is short-staffed, as others have already noted here. If anyone wants to report an item out-of-order, you can e-mail Mike York directly at [email protected]. He also said that priority is given to safety-sensitive issues. As far as the broken door that was not fixed for several months, we were aware of it. A custom-made part was on order, and the door was fixed when the part was available.