JMasek

I have not heard them either, so I believe they are being re-done

As early as Monday, we will have post cards available for posting on the buses, for our customers to get, sign, add postage, and mail to the Governor requesting State funding for transit.

As early as Monday, we will have post cards available for posting on the buses, for our customers to get, sign, add postage, and mail to the Governor requesting State funding for transit.

^ www.jointheride.com

"I would like to see RTA be more aggressive in getting people to write their representatives." Did you see the table of pre-printed letters to each state legislator? We had people there with to help you determine who represented you, and then we had a pre-printed, pre-addressed letter to that rep. All you needed to do was add the stamp and envelope. We tried to make it as easy as possible. The word from Columbus is that letters, e-mails and phone calls are being received. We need to continue the pressure.

"(Voinovich won't do anything, so calling him is pointless)." Voinovich has worked closely with RTA on a number of projects as Mayor, then Governor and now US Senator. If I wanted something done in Washington, he is the first person I would call. Having worked for him for five years, I have much personal respect for him. But then, that's my opinion.

This is Jerry Masek, Media Relations Manager and Publications Manager at RTA. I wear two hats, because there is a hiring freeze at RTA, and many employees here are learning to do more with less. [email protected] I introduce myself as a courtesy, because there are newcomers to the list. Welcome. A words about ridership numbers. Even within the transit industry, there is no agreement as to the best way to count riders. Several methods are acceptable, and not every agency uses the same method. That is unfortunate, because it creates the confusion which has been cited. The most important thing is to use one method consistently, so you are comparing apples to apples. For instance, your scale at home may be 5 pounds off, but if you use it all the time to monitor your weight gain or weight loss, then you have achieved your purpose. The same goes for counting riders. I am a communications professional with almost 40 years experience. The last 20 years have been in the public sector, and the last 8 years have been at RTA. I am proud of my work here, because I have used transit daily for 20 years, and wish more people did. I am neither a child nor a thug. I am a human being, and appreciate being treated with respect due all human beings. Name-calling is juvenile and has no place here in a forum for adults. I do respect your viewpoints, and know that you will respect mine. Again, welcome.

62 people at noon at CPL, very quiet crowd

rock and roller I will make sure your letter is added to the official record. I think you for coming and introducing yourself and supporting RTA. I agree that our presentations can be shortened. As to the format, RTA has used it for years, because it helps us keep track of things for the official record. The numbers have NEVER been like this, so we are facing problems we never experienced before. I am sorry if it looked like I was drowning. Actually, I have no stress. I was discouraged that adults act like children and shout people down and interrupt those who are speaking. That is not how I was raised. It was a pleasure meeting you.

Another update: 350+60+450 = an awful lot of people who care about transit. 450 people came to meeting at City Hall tonight. No surprises, not many solutions either. The PD is writing a story about the heavy turnouts.

I will be in Council Chambers...dark suit, glasses, probably an old digital camera around my neck. Say hello.

Update from the noon public hearing, which is still going on as I write this: More than 600 people attended. The CPL Auditorium was full, and so was the lobby outside. There was a lot of emotion, a lot of yelling. Another public hearing has been added at noon Wednesday to collect testimony, same site. Thanks to rock and roller for introducing herself.

I will be there, dark suit, glasses, digital camera. Please say hello

Update on first public hearing tonight in Rocky River... An estimated 350 attended, SRO, including one Congressman, several state legislators, and all area mayors. RTA opened with 45 minutes of presentations, followed by 45 minutes of elected officials. Riders spoke at a mic for two hours. Letters and addresses to state legislators were passed out. Congressman Kucinich was there. He said he believes RTA should not go forward with any cuts or fare increases until it considers... -- more service -- lower fares -- better marketing ..a combination he said will increase ridership to the point that the budget will be balanced. He also criticized the Euclid Corridor Project. His comments speak for themselves.

Several people on the list asked for these numbers. Sorry it took me a while to find them. They are from the 2007 National Transit Database, the FTA's primary national database for statistics on the transit industry. Bus: 30.69 passenger miles per unit of fuel Paratransit: 10.82 passenger miles per unit of fuel Heavy Rail: 1.79 passenger miles per unit of power Light Rail: 1.53 passenger miles per unit of power

Good morning. FYI on regionalization. Joe Calabrese comes from upstate NY, where the term "region" applies to a central city and adjoining counties. Under that framework, for RTA to be truly "regional", there would be one transit system serving Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Lake, Geauga and Summit counties. Certainly, there are a lot of people moving over those borders every day. Perhaps someday, this may be a reality.

When I get them, I will share them. And I am not arguing anything. The number was posted, period.

As I said in the earlier post, "I'm also sure there are a lot of other reasons to support rail over bus, and I am not saying those aren't valid reasons." I thought the numbers were interesting, so I shared them. "Fuel" for rail is the cost of electricity for operating a rail car. Yes, RTA is planning to end some bus routes at rail stations, instead of operating them to a downtown location. As I come across other data that may interest you, I will be happy to post it. I realize that I am not responding to all questions at this time.

JetDog is jetting out of here for a few days, so I will make a point of stopping in at least once a day.

This is in response to two often-asked questions that have been asked here a lot. Q. What is the cost difference for expenses for a one-car train vs a two-car train (heavy rail)? A. The cost of a one-car train is the operator's salary, plus the cost of electricity. The cost of a two-car train is the operator, plus electricity times two. Both cars use exactly the same level of power. For those of you who always assumed that rail is cheaper than bus, think again. RTA looked at the first 6 months of 2008, compared fuel costs vs. miles, and here is the result. Bus: 85 cents per mile for fuel. Rail: $1.65 per mile for fuel. I'm sure those numbers will spark a lot of debate on this list. I'm also sure there are a lot of other reasons to support rail over bus, and I am not saying those aren't valid reasons. I am just saying here are some numbers...chew on them for a while, and please...don't shoot the messenger.

Joe Calabrese just ended a two-year term as President of OPTA, and he has lobbied the Statehouse hard for all of Ohio, not just Cleveland. Now, he is one of the top people on a statewide task force to plan the future of transportation. He is very very involved.

Everything is a "proposal". If the proposals are approved, they will not take effect until October, well after the beginning of fall semester.

Checking

At the last Board meeting, the Board approved a new "energy risk management policy", which outlined steps in that direction.

The driver's first priority is always to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. For instance, if the vehicle cannot move to the curb lane because of traffic congestion or other issues, the driver cannot stop to have you board in the middle of the street. Yes, Circulators drivers are asked to pick up people along the route, but stopping is at their discretion, based on safety. If you would like to send me specific details off line, please do so. [email protected]