JMasek

www.cleveland.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/opinion/1215176103125140.xml&coll=2 Raising fares is better than cutting RTA service Friday, July 04, 2008 RTA fares have to rise Under Joe Calabrese's leadership, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority has steered, deftly so far, through tight fiscal times. Ridership has risen for five straight years and was up by 10 percent through May from the previous year. But because the RTA subsidizes 80 percent of every ride, when riders increase, the system merely loses a little less. .........

Thanks. I agree 100 percent. If a "problem" rider is still on the train when I exit, I talk to the operator as I leave.

" DID YOU OR ANY OTHER PASSENGER SAY ANYTHING TO THE CONDUCTOR??? why would the conductor do/say anything if NONE OF THE PASSENGERS made an attempt to speak with the conductor? Riders have to take ownership in issues as well and not place all the responsibility on RTA employees." All RTA operators are in constant contact with Transit Police. If the operator believed that the action endangered the lives of riders, he or she should have called Transit Police. You can too. 216-566-5211, the dispatcher is there 24/7. Do not ever expect an operator to get personally involved. During training, they are told to deliver you to the destination as a first priority. If they got involved and got stabbed or beaten up, who would operate the bus or train? Handling sticky situations is difficult. (They may say "Sir, please sit down." ...but they can never say what they are actually thinking.) During the trolley stabbing, the video camera caught the female operator leaving the trolley, and our good friends at TV-19 questioned this. Mike York went on camera and praised the operator for following her training. She pressed a button to notify police, she opened all doors so riders could exit, she left the trolley, and then she called police again on a cell phone. If you question an operator's conduct, give us the details (time, route, vehicle, ID number if possible), and inform us. Thanks.

"Its only been a few hours, JMasek is usually very responsive to questions, but something tells me he's got better things to be doing at 9PM, like not being in the office, not working and spending time with his family. " Pope, thanks for your observation. At 4 p.m. July 2, I took over as Media Relations Manager, so I am now wearing two hats. Media calls come first, then I have to fill requests from the GM, Board members and the Marketing Director. Urban Ohio is still on the list, you've just moved down a notch. Welcome to the realities of transit funding. I am doing two jobs because of a hiring freeze. I could complain, but I am gainfully employed, and that sure beats the alternative. I expect to wear two hats for 4-6 months, maybe longer, maybe shorter...who has a crystal ball that is crystal clear?

When the new farebox system is fully functional, we will have all that data.

""This is where I personally feel RTA is making a huge mistake. It's a public agency. What I would do:" I promise to share your proposals with others. I do not mean to be flippant or disrespectful, but on the surface, your proposals defy logic. RTA is in a situation where our buses and trains are too crowded, and you want us to bring in more riders. RTA is facing a $20 million deficit in 2009, and you want us to increase service, thus adding to our expenses. I will check for the cost difference in operating one-car train vs two-car train, but in my opinion, you are talking about putting a bandaid on a small cut, and the doctor is talking about amputating the arm. Again, that is just my personal opinion as a close observer. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated and will be passed along, I promise.

Imagine you are sitting on a Rapid vehicle with 50 other people who paid. You did not. A Transit Police Officer discovers your "error". Is he just supposed to say, right in front of everyone, "that's ok...please pay next time." While I am sure there may be some special cases, I have the feeling that they will be few and far between. If you are caught outside the grocery store with shoplifted goods, what excuse can you offer? There will be plenty of signage around, telling you to buy your ticket before boarding. This is my take on it, but at time point, I am only an onlooker.

Get your cameras ready. RTA operators in non-revenue service will be trained on the Rapid Transit Vehicles (RTVs) July 7-11, from 10:30 am to 2:30 p.m., from Public Square to East 17th Street, in the median and bus-only lanes. The RTA will start on Public Square, and then go to: * the East Roadway platform * the West Roadway Station * the South Roadway Station * the East 9th Street and East 14th Street stations for left-side boarding * the East 19th Street to East 59th Street stations for right-side boarding. Drivers and pedestrians are reminded to watch all traffic signs and obey all traffic laws.

Someone asked about the logic of still using numbers to designate the Red, Blue and Green rail lines. Numbers are needed for the route software that RTA uses, and to select the routes on the RTAnswerline. We agree with you that it would be great to get ride of the numbers, and we are exploring our options in that direction.

The link was there all the time...are you guys blind?

I do not believe that you will be given a chance to pay. If you do not have a ticket to ride, Transit Police will issue a ticket for you to pay.

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1176 This link includes all the highlights from yesterday's RTA Board meeting, including: * RTA's budget book, which has lots of valuable text and charts. * The tax budget PowerPoint presentation. * The presentation on the East 120th Street station. * An update on the new East 55th Street station. Enjoy.

The new system contains software to use a Smart Card, and that software will be activated in a later phase. FYI, our Full Funding Grant Agreement with the feds for ECTP specifies that POP has to be used, as another method to speed up boarding.

Sorry, but (in my opinion) your comment is off base. Extra Transit Police will be hired to enforce the policy, and a new "violation" fare has been established for those who want to evade fares. If you want to judge the system after you see it work, fine. But to judge it before it takes effect makes no sense.

Yes. REALLY popular destinations -- like Shaker Square -- have their own "One-Pass Trip." www.gcrta.org/opt/shaker.asp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contacts: Chris Paulitz or Stephanie Sonksen (202) 224-8609 ** MEDIA ADVISORY ** SEN. VOINOVICH CONTINUES “HIGH GAS PRICES TOUR” IN CLEVELAND WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, June 30, U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, will continue his “High Gas Prices Tour” in downtown Cleveland’s Public Square. Sen. Voinovich will discuss his short- and long-term plans in response to rising gas prices in Ohio in front of one of the new HealthLine Rapid Transit Vehicles that will be used on the Euclid Corridor. These vehicles are “hybrid electric” powered and are more fuel efficient than an equivalent diesel bus. A tour of the Corridor’s progress will follow the press event. All stops on his “High Gas Prices Tour” are open to the media. Sen. Voinovich will be available for questions following the event. Sen. Voinovich has supported increased domestic exploration for a decade and insists that America needs to embark on a new commitment to increasing supply of domestic oil while coming up with alternative and renewable resources. He supports exploration in ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf and has also urged a more conscientious approach to using our resources. Recently, Sen. Voinovich proposed a new “Manhattan Project” to put the United States on a path toward clean energy independence and lower prices at the pump. What: “High Gas Prices Tour” visits downtown Cleveland Who: U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) When: Monday, June 30, 2008 2:00 p.m. Where: Euclid Corridor Station on West Roadway North of Superior Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 Sen. Voinovich’s “High Gas Prices Tour” also includes stops in Canton, Mansfield, Delaware and Marion June 30 and July 1.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contacts: Chris Paulitz or Stephanie Sonksen 202 224-8609 ** MEDIA ADVISORY ** SEN. VOINOVICH CONTINUES “HIGH GAS PRICES TOUR” IN CLEVELAND WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, June 30, U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, will continue his “High Gas Prices Tour” in downtown Cleveland’s Public Square. Sen. Voinovich will discuss his short- and long-term plans in response to rising gas prices in Ohio in front of one of the new HealthLine Rapid Transit Vehicles that will be used on the Euclid Corridor. These vehicles are “hybrid electric” powered and are more fuel efficient than an equivalent diesel bus. A tour of the Corridor’s progress will follow the press event. All stops on his “High Gas Prices Tour” are open to the media. Sen. Voinovich will be available for questions following the event. Sen. Voinovich has supported increased domestic exploration for a decade and insists that America needs to embark on a new commitment to increasing supply of domestic oil while coming up with alternative and renewable resources. He supports exploration in ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf and has also urged a more conscientious approach to using our resources. Recently, Sen. Voinovich proposed a new “Manhattan Project” to put the United States on a path toward clean energy independence and lower prices at the pump. What: “High Gas Prices Tour” visits downtown Cleveland Who: U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) When: Monday, June 30, 2008 2:00 p.m. Where: Euclid Corridor Station on West Roadway, North of Superior Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland, Ohio 44113 Sen. Voinovich’s “High Gas Prices Tour” also includes stops in Canton, Mansfield, Delaware and Marion June 30 and July 1.

RTA Committees meet July 1. Here's a preview: www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1172

RTA maintains the median. DCA and/or the City maintains those on the sidewalk. RTA is only doing construction on Euclid Avenue with brick pavers as you see now. The sidewalk was granite in the BP easement. It will be restored how it was previously.

I have been away from the list for a few days (other duties), but here are some answers to some pressing issues, along with some breaking news. At 2 p.m. Monday, June 30, Senator Voinovich and RTA will hold a press event at the Corridor station on West Roadway, just north of Superior Avenue. The topic will be....(drum roll)...high gas prices and public transit. Then, Voinovich will tour the Corridor project. RTA's new fare collection system comes in several phases. The first phase is complete, with new fare collection units on all buses, trains and train stations. Yes, there are bugs in the program (I am told that no transit system in the nation has ever installed a bug-free program), and we are working on them. The next phase will be adding ticket vending machines, and implementing proof of payment (POP). POP will be ready on the HealthLine by Oct. 25 (the grand opening), and at a later date on the Red Line. Light rail collections begin and end at Tower City. So you pay when you enter at Tower City, and pay when you exit at Tower City. If you board or deboard anywhere else along the light rail, you follow the same formula. Pay as you enter outbound (eastbound), and pay as you exit inbound (westbound). The Google trip planner is based on info supplied by RTA, so the results should be the same as the RTA trip planner. I will probably not be on this forum as often, starting July 3, when my Media Relations duties kick in again. You can always send e-mail to [email protected], and I will enter the fray as time permits.

Once the HealthLine is in full operation after the Oct. 25 grand opening, the 63-foot long Rapid Transit Vehicles (RTVs) will use the following routes... Westbound RTVs will turn north on East Roadway, in front of 200 Public Square (the former BP Bldg), west on Rockwell in front of Key Tower, south on West Roadway, and pick up passengers in front of Tower City. Eastbound RTVs will turn left into the Windermere Rapid Station bus turnaround to drop off and pick up passengers. I believe there will be a layover at each end of the line.

(This is the best I can do. I have seen it in action, but I am sure I am missing the technical aspects -- I am told this is the first such docking arm in North America). Behind the front door, just below the bus frame, a small wheel protudes out a bit. It is parallel to the ground, so that when it touches the edge of the platform, it begins to roll. The operator's goal is to allow the docking arm to touch as he or she approaches the station. The docking arm then guides the entire RTV to where it is perfectly aligned with the station, just inches away, to allow easy boarding by riders and persons in wheelchairs.

This e-mail is being sent out today and tomorrow by RTA. WE STILL NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU By Joe Calabrese :clap: :clap: Greater Clevelanders, you are terrific. More than 200 persons attended a statewide task force meeting on transportation issues Tuesday night, and more than 50 persons testified. The majority of those who testified spoke strongly and passionately on the need for increased funding for public transit. My sincere thanks to each and every person who attended. It was, by far, the largest turnout in Ohio for this round of public meetings. I am sure your efforts will help bring about policy changes that will positively impact Ohioans for generations to come. If you were not able to attend the meeting, ODOT still wants to hear from you. The final public meeting is next week in Akron, so by June 27, please log onto the Task Force Web site, and leave your comment. www.dot.state.oh.us/21ctptf/ Background Public transit in Ohio is in crisis. At a time when demand is growing and high gas prices are here to stay, transit systems across Ohio are being forced to cut service to balance their budgets. We now have a wonderful opportunity to impact funding for public transit in the state and we need your to take full advantage of it. In recent years, state funding for transit has been cut 63 percent. Now, more than ever, we need that money restored, and we need to find a statewide dedicated funding source for transit. Working together, we can help bring about policy changes that will positively impact Ohioans for generations. To find out more about the Task Force, visit these sites: * Task Force Web site, www.dot.state.oh.us/21ctptf/ * Press release, www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1166 * Inside RTA newsletter, www.riderta.com/PDF/InsideRTA/Insider_6-08.pdf * Riders Digest newsletter, www.riderta.com/pdf/RidersDigest/Jun%2008%20RD.pdf * Joe Calabrese speaking on WCPN, www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/soi/12346 Joe Calabrese is CEO and General Manager of RTA. He is also President of the Ohio Public Transit Association, and a member of the Task Force.

I hope to see many of you at the ODOT hearing tonight. I will be taking photos with a very old digital camera. If your schedule permits, please stop and introduce yourself.

^^^^^My reaction to two above issues... Yes, technically, she should not have waited for the biker, unless she was ahead of schedule, but she did, which shows she has a heart. I would thank her for caring, but urge caution from making this a regular happening (not fair to other riders). The Berea incident happened five(?) years ago and I do not remember many details, other than the people strongly preferred bus seats to rail seats. There is not much more I can say on that matter, my CRS is kicking in.