JMasek

Greetings..I see a lot of questions here, but my plate is full..I will return asap with answers.

www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1214 Commuter Advantage update

From: Press, Kucinich <[email protected]> Sent: Mon Oct 06 15:26:29 2008 Subject: Kucinich Declares Victory for Working Class Voters For Immediate Release: Contact: Joe Benny (216) 228-8850 Kucinich Declares Victory for Working-Class Voters Under Pressure RTA Agrees to Maintain Service During Election Washington D.C. (October 6, 2008) -- In response to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) announcement that it would not cut service on November 2, 2008, two days before the national election, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio) made the following statement: “I am glad to know that RTA, after being subject to a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation, relented and will not institute service cuts two days before the national election. Unfortunately, it was only after learning that the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary had requested a DOJ investigation of its practices did RTA respond. “I am not satisfied that there was no ill intent on the part of the transit agency to deprive Cuyahoga County voters their ability to get to the polls on Election Day. I am not satisfied with RTA’s slash and burn approach to cutting off service to its riders in the face of its budget shortfalls. I am not satisfied with RTA’s philosophy of threatening and instituting fare increases and service cuts before exploring other options for meeting its budget. “I am satisfied that voters will be able to use RTA to get to and from the polls on Election Day. Therefore, I thank Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers for responding to my request of September 24, and to the DOJ for any work they have done so far in responding to Chairman Conyers’ call. “Despite the fact that this was done under the pressure of a costly and time-consuming civil rights investigation and potential lawsuit, it is nevertheless a victory for working men and women of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, who may not have otherwise been able to get to the polls” Background: On September 24, 2008, after learning of RTA’s call to cut service to riders two days before the November 4 election, Congressman Kucinich sent Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers the following letter: available here <http://kucinich.house.gov/UploadedFiles/rta%20cony.pdf> . ---end of release -- Ladies and Gentlemen, I have already formed an opinion on this statement. I trust you will do likewise.

RTA press release, Oct. 6, 2008 RTA delays schedule change CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is pushing back the Nov. 2 schedule change for 1 week, to Nov. 9. “This will put to rest any concerns that the schedule change will negatively impact voter’s ability to access polling locations,” says CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese. Last week, RTA officials said they would provide free rides on Election Day to anyone who was impacted by the service changes. They became concerned however, that news of this free ride offer could not be communicated with 100 percent certainty. “If even one voter misses the message, it would be one voter too many,” Calabrese says Calabrese thanked officials of the ATU Local 268 for their cooperation, which allows a schedule change in the middle of a two-week pay period. Delaying the service change one week will cost RTA around $80,000. “We want every one of our customers to be able to vote on Election Day, or before,” Calabrese says.

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/17602789/detail.html This is a link to the TV-5 story by Duane Pohlman that was broadcast at 11pm Wednesday and 6am today. It pretty much reflects the broadcast version. The broadcast includes an interview with Joe Calabrese. KJP, "budgeting periods" are really payroll periods, and by agreement with the ATU, service changes can only occur at the beginning of payroll periods. To hold up the changes until after the election would cost more than $350,000. I can't help but contrast all this to the Governor's reaction. When he learned more about how severe the proposed cuts were, he worked with NOACA and others to find $20 million in funds around the state for transit. I guess RTA needs to do a better job of educating our other elected officials (working hard to keep all published statements here politically correct).

Will RTA’s service changes affect you on Election Day? CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) today released this statement from CEO & General Manager Joe Calabrese. “We know that many key races in this year’s election will be extremely close, and every vote counts. We want to make sure that RTA’s service changes, which take effect Nov. 2, do not affect anyone’s access to the election. We want everyone to register to vote by Oct. 6, and vote on or before Nov. 4. RTA’s new service plan was designed to impact only a very small percentage of the 200,000 customers who ride RTA daily. A concern has been voiced however, that these changes may impact some customers and their ability to get to voting locations on Election Day, Nov. 4. Although RTA believes that this is only a remote possibility, and along with the Board of Elections suggests that as many individuals as possible vote in advance, RTA makes the following offer: If you are concerned about how service cuts will affect you on Election Day, call us and we will help you plan your trip. If you cannot get to the polls because of the service cuts, we will get you a ride.” Just call 216-566-5219 by Oct. 31, to make such arrangements.” Background -- These service changes were first proposed in July, when high gas prices and reduced state funding caused RTA to project a $20 million deficit in 2009.

Straight from Service Planning, "Yes, starting Oct 27, the #32 trips to/from downtown will travel via the HealthLine bus lanes on Euclid Avenue between Stokes Blvd and East 17th."

The specs for the road took into account the vehicle weight.

When regular buses operate on Euclid Avenue, they will operate in the bus-only lanes, and the riders will be subject to proof-of-payment.

^ On Oct. 27, routes 7, 9 and 32 will return to routes on the new Euclid Corridor. That will be formally announced soon; we did not want to mix those changes in with the earlier service changes, which were all for budget cuts. Proof-of-payment will be in effect for those routes, as long as they are on the Corridor.

Thanks for the questions...keep them coming

<<The parenthetical "(there will be one nearby)" seems awkward as well. "Use the nearby fare vending machine."> "There will be one nearby" is a phrase that was added for you, because you are reading this at your desk, rather than at the station.

Focus group time. Here are some simple directions, IN DRAFT FORM, for using proof-of-payment on the HealthLine. I would appreciate it if you could give me some feedback on whether you understand them, or if you have questions (that the copy needs to address). We are walking a fine line here between having too much copy for the space we have, and not saying enough, from a legal point-of-view. There are our problems, not yours. Again, this is draft form. Please do not distribute to others. Time is critical to prepare some written materials by Oct. 27. HealthLine A“proof-of-payment” system to collect fares is in effect at this station. 1. If you already have an activated RTA pass with you, hang on to it. You may be asked to show it. 2. If you have a pass that has not been activated, you must activate it at a machine before you board. 3. If you do not have a pass, you need to purchase one before you board. Use the fare vending machine. (there will be one nearby) 4. Once you are on board, a fare enforcement officer or the vehicle operator will ask you to show a valid pass as proof-of-payment. 5. If you are found on-board without a valid RTA pass, you will be issued a “violation fare notice.” This is equal to the cost of a monthly pass, and must be paid within 14 days. 6. Non-payment of the violation fare may lead to criminal prosecution. What needs to be activated · Monthly Passes – never · 7-Day Flex Pass – before first use · All-Day Pass – Yes, if purchased off-board · 5-trip Farecard – Yes, unless you use the 2.5-hour option for free transfers Thank you. You may post your responses here, or send them directly to me at [email protected]

There were some sections that were replaced at no cost to RTA. In some cases, cracks had developed. I am told (I am no concrete expert) that this could have been caused by not giving the concrete enough time to cure, or by setting something heavy on it, as in the case of a building being demolished.

The good Congressman just fired Round Two. Kucinich Calls for Justice Department Investigation of RTA's Service Cuts Timing of Service Cuts Would Disenfranchise Voters WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 24, 2008) - Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today hand delivered a letter to Congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, asking him to raise the issue of Greater Cleveland's Regional Transit Authority's service cuts with the U.S. Department of Justice. As the service cuts take effect just two days before the Nov. 4 election, Congressman Kucinich is concerned that the service cuts cause the isenfranchisement of voters who depend on public transportation in Northeast Ohio. The full text of the request to Rep. Conyers follows: September 24, 2008 Chairman John Conyers, Jr. Committee on the Judiciary 2138 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Conyers: Yesterday I received a news release from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) reporting service cuts the authority plans to make on November 2, 2008, two days before the federal election. Intentional or not, this action would represent a clear act of voter suppression. Hundreds if not thousands of low-income Clevelanders rely on RTA to travel to and from their polling place. RTA serves Cuyahoga County, Ohio, which includes the entire City of Cleveland and approximately 58 of its surrounding suburbs.The service area includes the entirety of Ohio's 10th Congressional District which I represent and the entirety of the 11th District which was represented by our late colleague Stephanie Tubbs Jones. The people of Cuyahoga County depend on RTA to get to and from work, school, health care, shopping, and family obligations. RTA also helps them get to the place where they vote. I contacted RTA earlier this year to voice my opposition to a series of draconian service cuts and fare increases which I believe would have greatly compromised RTA's ability to serve the people of Northeast Ohio. Public outrage at those actions caused RTA officials to rethink the service cuts and fare increases. While yesterday's announced cuts are not as severe as those originally planned, as recently as yesterday morning at an RTA board meeting, fare hikes and service cuts were not on the agenda. I oppose these cuts because they will have an adverse effect on the ability of seniors, students, low income workers, persons with disabilities and others to get around. I also think that service throughout the region is being sacrificed in order to better serve one route between Downtown Cleveland and the city's major hospital complexes. I expressed these concerns in a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Inspector General shortly after learning about the service cuts yesterday. I write to you today because I am deeply concerned about the timing of these cuts. Without prior notice to its board or the public, and just a little more than one month before the election, RTA is now announcing service cuts to go into effect two days before the election. (??) These cuts could contribute to the disenfranchisement of many voters in Northeast Ohio. Because of the large number of minority voters in Ohio's 10th and 11th Congressional Districts, there could also be violations of the Help America Vote Act, the Voting Rights Act, and other civil protections our nations affords to its people. Therefore, I ask that as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, you raise this issue before the U.S. Department of Justice. Our nation's transit systems must not be manipulated by public agencies in ways which could disenfranchise the people. With the election just weeks away, I ask that you take up this matter with all due urgency. Thank you for your concern about the voting rights of the people of Northeast Ohio. Sincerely, Dennis J. Kucinich Member of Congress

"considered" is the key word here. I have no idea what project designers may have discussed and discarded, or what was even available at the time the purchase was made. To my knowledge, there was no public discussion of these options.

FYI, to date, The Plain Dealer gave the story two grafs -- one for the Congressman and one for our response. TV-5 did a very brief story (no RTA reaction), and TV-3 aired a longer piece, with our comment.

Many RTA service changes take effect on Nov. 2 www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1208 RTA locks in diesel fuel at $3.17 a gallon for all of 2009; other Board meeting highlights www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1209

I believe I am all caught up on your questions, but I know you will have others. I will make every effort to stop in more often, especially as the project races toward completion.

These answers were provided by Mike Schipper, Deputy General Manager of Engineering and Project Support, who is supervising the Corridor project. "We are aware of the tilting pedestrian lights. They are part of the Cleveland Clinic's work and are being addressed." "The decision to go to an asphalt rehabilitation design from East 107 to the City Limit Line instead of the original concrete replacement concept was made in late 2003 as a cost savings to the project, in order for the project to be eligible for the FTA New Starts grant." "On the gravel beds, the original design had many more of the beds from East 17th to the Innerbelt. However CSU committed to maintain grass in those beds adjacent to their campus so they were changed to grass. Other property owners would not commit to maintain grass in that area, so they have gravel per the original design." "RTA is using the revenue from our naming rights agreements to have a dedicated maintenance crew to maintain the stations and station areas. The City of Cleveland is responsible for the maintaining the street lighting."

OK, I am all caught up now, with a number of issues forwarded to others. I promise to stop in more often.

1. I have never heard of such a marque covering being planned, but if it were, it is WAY out of the project scrope. I suggest you contact the staff at Playhouse Square. 2. According to federal guidelines, 1-5 percent of the construction costs must go to public art. 3. Plans are progressing for the East Side Transit Center. You should hear something concrete (no pun intended) later this year. 4. This is a private development. I suggest you contact Midtown Cleveland or UCI for details. If there is actual work being done, a building permit has to be on file at City Hall.

A word, if I may, about terms, so if you are talking to someone, we all speak the same language. Rail lines have "stations", and the HealthLine is being added to RTA's rail map. The large enclosed structures on Euclid Avenue and Public Square are "stations." The small curbside structures are "shelters." Thanks.

FYI, as of Oct. 27, the E-Line trolley will return to its previous hours of 7am-7pm, so both trolleys will be on the same time frame. The Health Line will provide late-night service to Playhouse Square and CSU.

There is a lot of work going on around Euclid Avenue, and that is good, because it shows the project is attracting new development. As our orange barrels disappear, you may find them replaced by barrels from other projects. There is nothing we can do about that. Our plans and timetable have been known to all for years.