JMasek

Re: The Silver Line There are (at least) two ways to measure benefits. 1). The project itself generated more than $100 million in construction contracts. More than 90 percent of those went to local companies. 2.) The Downtown Cleveland Alliance, a strong supporter of the project, has been, and still is, tracking the value of past and current construction along the Corridor. That total is now well over $2 BILLION. Other cities already want what Cleveland has. Once the Project is fully operational, you can expect to see many national media outlets and transit officials from other cities visiting here. Perhaps we should hire Dick Feagler as a tour guide (tongue planted firmly in cheek).

Log on now and register your comments! Cleveland.com posted a Plain Dealer story about the barrels coming off of Euclid Avenue, and it attracted a ton of comments -- many totally uniformed -- about the Euclid Corridor Project. We are planning to weigh in, and so can you. It would be great to have several voices there to help offset the writers who don't have a clue. Thanks. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/11/part_of_the_euclid_corridor_is.html

As far as I know now...No. It would be best for you to keep some fare media in your pocket for emergencies, in the event you find yourself in that boat (or bus). Remember, the vehicle will be along every five minutes, so to be fair, please stop and buy your fare before you board.

Today, RTA buses began serving the NW Quad of Public Square in front of Tower City. Also today, the #6 bus began serving the center median strip of Euclid Avenue, from East 17th Street to East 55th Street. There are 12 stations on that stretch, and RTA staffers will be at most stations answering questions and handing out literature, from 6:30-9 a.m. and 3:30-5 p.m. today and Tuesday. I am at the eastbound station at East 36th Street for both shifts on Tuesday. Stop by and say hello. Later this week, RTA will begin the first phase of its fare collection upgrade. For complete details, go to: http://www.riderta.com/fares/farebox.asp

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/RidersDigest/Dec06RD-WB.pdf The December Riders Digest has now been posted on our Web site. It contains: * a preview of the opening of the expansion of the North Olmsted Park-N-Ride * a reminder that Phase 2 of the fare modifications kick in Jan. 7, 2008 * Complete details about the Dec. 16 service changes

Regarding the Brookpark Station: RTA must build a new station that is ADA-accessible. RTA was planning to build the new station in conjuction with a hotel-restaurant development. However, a developer has not yet been found. So, design of the new station will begin, and when a developer is found, the other components will be added.

I will pass along your comments. Transit Police resources are often devoted to areas of high crime or high problems. Thanks for the input.

The proposed 2008 capital budget was discussed by the Board of Trustees yesterday. I plan to release it in several posts, because there is still info I must verify. The following projects will be designed in 2008: * Design begins on the Brookpark rail station (the present structure is interim) * East Side Transit Center, the design will be completed in 2008. There may be a resolution at the December Board meeting concerning this issue. * The design of the Woodhill Station ADA rehab is now at 30 percent and will be completed in 2008. * Design will be completed on the expansion of the Westlake Park-n-Ride. * Design will continue on the ADA rehab of the University Circle/Cedar Station.

Joe Calabese will speak about the Euclid Corridor Project on TV-3 Sunday, Nov. 25, with Tom Beres, in his weekly segment, "Between the Lines." Joe will also make media appearances on Monday morning, Nov. 26, as RTA opens the roadway in front of Tower City, and begins the #6 route, serving the center median strip, from East 17th to East 55th Streets. RTA has scheduled two informational meetings about the Dec. 16 service changes. They will be on Dec. 6, at noon and 4:30 p.m., at the Main Office Building, 1240 W. Sixth St. A public hearing on the proposed 2008 budget will be held at the Dec. 4 Board meeting, with adoption slated for the Dec. 18 Board meeting.

There are already cameras at many other rail stations. I normally would not list the stations, but it was in the resolution, so it's public record. Cameras might be in the parking lot, at a vending machine, a boarding area...you just never know.

Joe Calabese will speak about the Euclid Corridor Project on TV-3 Sunday, Nov. 25, with Tom Beres, in his weekly segment, "Between the Lines." Joe will also make media appearances on Monday morning, Nov. 26, as RTA opens the roadway in front of Tower City, and begins the #6 route, serving the center median strip, from East 17th to East 55th Streets. RTA has scheduled two informational meetings about the Dec. 16 service changes. They will be on Dec. 6, at noon and 4:30 p.m., at the Main Office Building, 1240 W. Sixth St. A public hearing on the proposed 2008 budget will be held at the Dec. 4 Board meeting, with adoption slated for the Dec. 18 Board meeting.

Today, the RTA Board of Trustees awarded a contract for $140,000 to Zadar Technology of Hinkley, to purchase security cameras for rail stations at Hopkins, Brookpark, Puritas and Windermere. The equipment is being purchased with a grant, and work should be done by the end of the year.

The October ridership report was released today: * Systemwide: Up 8.2 percent in October; up 0.3 percent YTD, on the road to RTA's fifth straight year of ridership increases. * Bus: Up 6.7 percent in October; down 1.4 percent YTD. * Rail: Up 16.5 percent in October; up 10.2 percent YTD. * Paratransit: Up 16.4 percent in October; up 5.8 percent YTD. * Trolleys: In October, total ridership increased 39 percent over the same month last year, and average daily ridership increased 33 percent over last year. * Bike usage: Up 36 percent in October, and 41 percent YTD (bus and rail combined).

I am told the crosswalk has not been eliminated, it is just in an area that is under construction. It will re-open again when construction is over and it is safe.

I have referred your question to the Corridor staff, and will respond as soon as I have an answer.

FYI, all of your comments have been shared with RTA GM Joe Calabrese, Euclid Corridor boss Mike Schipper, and Media Relations Manager Chad Self. I have been told (second-hand) that at least one letter to the editor (rebuttal) may be used on Sunday.

Isn't the English language wonderful? I just double-checked what RTA is buying. CCTV stands for "closed-circuit TV"...there is no cable. I am sorry for any misunderstanding. The Board of Trustees meets tomorrow at 9 a.m. There is nothing major in the resolutions, but after the regular meeting, the Finance Committee will present the proposed 2008 capital budget.

Thanks for all your great comments and support. Let's all remember...a column is based on one man's opinion. Too bad for all those readers that is not based on fact.

One picture is worth a 1,000 words. I wonder which 2,000 words you wanted to say.

Perhaps I am confused, but I believe we are talking about two different things here. 1). CCTV -- You will see the cameras, but never the tape, unless you commit a crime and see yourself on TV. 2). The digital ad signs and "next train" info is what KJP is talking about, and yes, you are correct (again!). They produce revenue for the vendor and RTA, because of the paid ads. The camera system does not offer ads or info, and the digital signs do not take photographs.

There are two issues here, and I will try to clarify both of them. 1). Yes. RTA's operating budget is tight. However, installing cameras at rail stations is not operating money. It is capital money. In the past, some governmental bodies, like the City of Cleveland before default, raided their capital accounts so they could meet the payroll. They quit buying things, like new police cars, and ran the fleet into the ground. The result? They met the payroll, but some police cars were literally "stuck in neutral" and not capable of high speeds. RTA has a huge capital infrastructure -- buildings, tracks and vehicles. It's just bad business to sacrifice one for the other, and we will not do it. 2). That being said, it is important to note that most of the CCTV system is being paid for with a federal Homeland Security grant. I understand that you are tired of seeing TV cameras everywhere, but that is fact of life, and they are only going to increase as time goes on. Smile...you're on transit camera.

9 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 20, RTA Board meeting The agenda includes lots of resolutions to buy routine items, and one resolution to spend $140,000 to buy close circuit cable TV (CCTV) for four heavy-rail stations. After the regular Board meeting, the Finance Committee will meet to review the proposed 2008 Capital Budget.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I agree with your sentiments. if, in fact, this was an artist, we can only hope that this one tragic event opens the eyes of other artists who are also in danger, and that they switch to other avenues for self-expression. I too, call Transit Police (216-566-5163) whenever I see someone on the tracks.

The prototype of the new Rapid Transit Vehicle (RTV) won the "best vehicle in show" award when the manufacturer, New Flyer Industries of North America, displayed it at the recent Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) fall conference in Quebec City. New Flyer wrote: “Your bus is the absolute hit of the show. Probably a million photos have been taken and RTA is being heralded as a market leader. People have been blown away by how rail-like, streamlined, European and majestic the vehicle appears. We cannot thank you enough for allowing us to display this vehicle."

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1108 CLEVELAND -- A huge section of Euclid Avenue, from East 17th Street to East 55th Street, will re-open to traffic on Monday, Nov. 26 – almost a year ahead of schedule.