JMasek

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/02/rta_has_already_budgeted_its_4.html RTA has already budgeted its $42 million stimulus money Posted by Karen Farkas/Plain Dealer Reporter February 18, 2009 06:00AM RTA plans to use its $42 million in stimulus money to replace aging railcars and two rail stations. RTA knows how much federal stimulus money it is getting and has plans for almost every cent of its $42 million. .....

MORE GOOD NEWS FOR THE HEALTHLINE · Ridership up 39 percent · Ticket vending machines are ready CLEVELAND -- Ridership on the new HealthLine service on the Euclid Avenue is up an impressive 39 percent for the first three months of operation, says Joe Calabrese, CEO and General Manager of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA). The service began Oct. 24, 2008 Speaking today to the RTA Board of Trustees, Calabrese said ridership increases for specific months are: · November 2008 - Up 46 percent · December 2008 - Up 28 percent · January 2009 - Up 43 percent “These ridership numbers are comparing the new HealthLine with the #6 bus line that previously served Euclid Avenue,” Calabrese said. “The #6 bus line was traditionally RTA’s busiest and most productive route.” Ticket vending machines are ready for use Calabrese also told the Board that testing is complete. Customers can start using the ticket vending machines (TVMs) along the HealthLine, starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. He said RTA staff members will be on hand at key HealthLine stations to help customers use the machines. Riders are reminded of RTA’s “proof-of-payment” system · Buy your fare before you board. Keep your proof-of-payment with you while riding the HealthLine. · You can use a fare purchased earlier (such as a weekly or monthly pass). · You can also purchase a 1-ride ticket or an All-Day Pass at a ticket vending machine at any HealthLine station. If the ticket vending machine at a HealthLine station is not working, just pay the farebox next to the operator inside the vehicle, as soon as you board. If you are a student at a college that offers a U-Pass program, keep your college ID card with you at all times. A ticket vending machine… · Offers Braille and audio features for sight-impaired customers. · Accepts coins and bills, but does not give change. · Accepts debit and credit cards – Visa, MasterCard and Discover. · Issues magnetic tickets for any kind of All-Day Pass and receipts for one-way cash fares. In other words, it simulates an on-board farebox. What needs to be activated (validated) before you board · 7-Day Flex Passes must be activated before first use only. · All-Day Passes must be activated. · On 5-Trip Farecards, each trip needs to be activated. Monthly Passes are already activated for the month they were purchased for. Passes and farecards can be activated at any ticket vending machine. Some platforms also offer a smaller unit for activation only.

^I have a suggestion. Just opposite the operator's seat (front right if you are a passenger), there are two large luggage racks that you can use, and you stand right beside them. Also, in some rail cars, seats nearby have been removed (the two seats that face each other). If you sit or stand there, there is ample room for luggage, and the aisle is still open. That is our main concern. I hope that helps. Have a safe trip.

^ The installation is only half done.

^ You are correct. The call for employee volunteers was put out, just to be on the safe side. But some issues still remain, and work continues to get the machines up and running. This same scenario may happen again -- several times. That's why it's confusing -- and inappropriate -- to put this news in the public domain. When the machines are ready, we will say so. To post things that MIGHT happen makes our job even harder than it is. I am very committed to keep the posters on Urban Ohio well-informed. I sometimes even post things here a few minutes BEFORE I post them on rideRTA.com.

The info previously posted about a start date for the fare vending machines is inaccurate. A release will be sent as soon as a date is set, and my good friends at Urban Ohio will be told immediately. Let's not go chasing rumors. Thanks.

^ checking on the door issue now

I am pleased to see that there is so much interest in three-car trains. I just had a chance to discuss the issue of three-car trains with RTA Rail Director Melvin Clark. Here's the Reader's Digest version of what he said: When the Inner Belt bridge closes (no date set), RTA expects demand for rail service to greatly increase, especially on the West Side, where some large Rapide Station parking lots have excess capacity. The plan under consideration would allow RTA to run three-car trains during rush hour only, on the center Red Line track at Tower City. The cars would serve stations from Tower City to Brookpark. In that stretch of rail, only the Brookpark station (which is interim), cannot support a three-car train. There are several operational methods to overcrome that, and choosing the one that makes the most sense is one of the challenges facing RTA. When RTA used the old Bluebird rail cars, there were three-car trains, but the current rail fleet uses much larger cars. (Estimates: Bluebird car, 50 feet. Current car, 75 feet). No timetable has been announced.

^ checking

<<I think there is a lot of room to significantly improve the rail corridors (airport to brookpark, downtown to e55, for instance), by cleaning up rails, tires, abandoned equipment. For many people, this is their entrance to the city, their first experience coming into downtown Cleveland or getting off the airplane and seeing Cleveland for the first time. In the case of the airport to brookpark red line section, this is also next to I-71 and provides an opportunity to brand RTA in a positive manner.>> I agree with you. So does almost every person in Cleveland (except the pigs who illegally dump stuff there). Question: There is ONE pot of money. It can either be used to operate a transit system, OR part of can be used to clean up trash that should NOT have been dumped there in the first place. These dumpers are criminals who are again breaking the law. I do not want my transit dollars to go to clean up after them, especially when RTA needs every dollar it has just to fund basic services. This is especially a waste of funds because within a few days or weeks of making the corridor clean, the stupid idiots will just go and mess it up again. So, now RTA has just paid $$$ to clean an area, and has nothing to show for it. PERSONAL OPINION: I would rather put funds into better fencing, or in increased police patrols, so the criminals could pay for the cleanup (and do the labor). Bottom line: Whether you drop a candy wrapper on a sidewalk, or dump tires in a rail corridor, there is a price to pay for being a pig, and we as a society have to come to grips with that.

An answer to an earlier question: <<For the #9 bus going eastbound, travel is supposed to occur on E. 12th between St. Clair and Chester (going westbound, the bus uses E. 13th). Since E. 12th is torn up between St. Clair and Superior, does the bus still use E. 12th for the time being, or has it been diverted elsewhere?>> I am told the bus now follows East 13th to Superior, and Superior to East 12th. Of course, you can always call 216-621-9500. Thanks for riding.

www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-transit-crunch27-2009jan27,0,282938.story RTA is part of this story ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From the Los Angeles Times A mass transit dilemma: Ridership up, funds down Public transport systems are reeling from an economic crisis that has dried up tax revenue and blown gaps in state budgets. They are having to raise fares and cut services. By Richard Fausset January 27, 2009 Reporting from Miami — Demetrius McClain's late-morning commuter train sped smoothly past strip malls and palm trees, heading north to his job in Ft. Lauderdale, about 30 miles away. ....... [email protected] Times staff writer Steve Hymon in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

RTA is working with staff at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum to promote Induction Week 2009, set for March 28-April 4. Artists and ticket information will be announced soon at rockhall.com. Here is the lineup for this historic week: Saturday, March 28 The popular Magic 105.7 Moondog Coronation Ball will be held at Quicken Loans Arena. You can park free at many RTA rail stations, ride any Rapid Line into Tower City, and take the Walkway to the Q. Stay warm, safe and dry, and save money on parking and gas. Visit rockhall.com for more information. Sunday, March 29 A free community gospel concert will honor Pastor Shirley Caesar, at a site to be announced. RTA provides convenient transportation to all major music venues in Cleveland. Caesar has recorded more than 40 albums. Inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 1982, she is pastor of a church in North Carolina. She will perform, and various choirs will honor her through music. Wednesday, April 1 The Rock Hall will open the world’s first exhibit devoted to the life and music of Bruce Springsteen. The Waterfront Line provides convenient access to the Rock Hall seven days a week. Thursday, April 2 A free community concert will be held in the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University. The concert will include performances by past Hall of Fame inductees. Several RTA bus routes serve the site, and it a short walk from the HealthLine on Euclid Avenue. Visit rockhall.com for more information. Saturday, April 4 The Rock Hall will be open free all day. The 24th annual Induction Ceremony will be held at Public Hall. It will be broadcast live to a national TV audience and streamed live to audiences around the world. Visit rockhall.com for more information.

Citizens Advisory Board seeks nominations RTA is seeking applicants who would like to serve on the 20-member volunteer Citizens Advisory Board (CAB). Persons must have a strong interest in public transit, and be regular riders. Civic-minded adults, age 18 and older, must also be available to attend 1-2 morning meetings each month. Members receive a monthly transit pass from RTA. If you are interested: • Download an application form from the Web site. Follow this path: rideRTA.com > About RTA> organization > Citizens Advisory Board • Send e-mail to: [email protected] • Call 216-566-5251 CAB members serve RTA and the general public in a proactive role as the pulse of the community in the promotion and provision of high-quality transportation programs and services.

RTV on display at Cleveland Auto Show Visitors to the Cleveland Auto Show can again see a 63-foot long hybrid-electric Rapid Transit Vehicle (RTV) from RTA’s HealthLine. It is the longest public transit vehicle in Ohio. Thousands of visitors toured the RTV when it first appeared at last year’s show. The Auto Show runs Feb. 28-March 8 at the IX Center. Show hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Sundays, and noon-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Adult tickets cost $12 each. RTA staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

Nominate a volunteer April 1 is the deadline to submit nominations for the F. Robert Wiesenberger Community Volunteer award, sponsored by RTA and its Citizen Advisory Board (CAB). The award is given in honor of the late Mr. Wiesenberger, who served on RTA’s Advisory Board for more than 25 years. He was also active in the Rocky River city government, and served on committees throughout the county for more than 20 years. Nominees should: • Be residents of Cuyahoga County. • Perform volunteer work in this region. • Have demonstrated a willingness to get involved, an unselfish giving of oneself, an ability to lead others, and a desire to enhance the quality of life in the community. Nomination forms: • Are available on-line at riderta.com/CAB/cvaward.asp • Will be accepted from individuals or organizations

^ I do not have that info. I can check later.

^^^Re: 3-car trains on the Red Line. RTA is experimenting with this now. There are some stations that cannot accommodate 3-car trains, and for those stations, the operator would have to announce, "All passengers exiting at XXX, please use the front two cars."

^ At 11 p.m. today, TV-19 is planning to air a story to 1). follow-up on the Dec. 3 bus-train crash in Euclid, and 2). update a story that ran last year regarding the health of RTA's bus fleet. To prep for this, TV-19 asked for certain public records, and interviewed 2 RTA officials. I cannot comment further, except to say...Film at 11.

^ Re: concrete testing is continuing. As soon as everything is finalized, there will be a public statement.

Signals are still being tweaked (that's a technical term) at some intersections. The farebox issue was recently covered well in a PD story that was posted here. Trust me. As soon as all systems are up and running, we will be spreading the news.

Thanks for the feedback on the Rapid service. I passed along the info to the Rail Director.

^ To answer your question fully would take many details, but here is a generic answer. From what I understand, many bus routes will end at the transit centers, and people will transfer to the HealthLine or some other routes. This will relieve the tremendous amount of buses downtown at rush hour. I realize that this answer may spawn other questions, but with things so far off, it is impossible to provide more details. Your interest is appreciated, but so is your patience.

The East Side Transit Center will provide an off-street bus staging area for layover and transfer connections. It will have a climate controlled customer waiting area.

Doc B I will have an answer for you after Tuesday...we are closed Monday.