JMasek

Thanks for the comment. You seem to mix the terms "shelter" and "station". Let's make sure we are on the same page. From smallest to largest, RTA operates: 8,500 bus stops, signs on poles, indicating the bus stops there. 1,600 shelters, small covered stands, usually at busy intersections. There is usually only enough room for 3-6 people to sit. 11 transit centers and/or park-n-ride lots, usually one building and a huge parking lot. Serivce is often rush-hour only. 18 heavy-rail Rapid stations, 34 light-rail Rapid stations. Other stations will be located along Euclid Avenue, on the BRT line. There is a new food concession at the Windermere Rapid Station. RTA is seeking concessionaires at some of the other Rapid stations where a sufficient amount of foot traffic would support them.

The weather is starting to turn bad, so let's talk about bus shelters. RTA maintains more than 1,600 shelters. Damaged ones are replaced as needed. New ones are added as ridership grows. In August, the RTA Board awarded a contract for $172,000 to Brasco International, to manufacture 40 new shelters for RTA. A notice to proceed was given last week. Delivery is expected by Dec. 31. About 80 percent of the work is federally funded. These will be the same design as RTA's current shelters, but they will definitely look newer. When reporting a damaged shelter, please give the ID code, a 3- or 4-digit number in white lettering on the outside panels. Thanks.

Work has just begun on a $1.97 million project to rehab the Abbey Avenue bridge over the Red Line tracks at the West 25th Street Station in Ohio City. The bridge was built in 1926. Work will include a new bridge deck, new sidewalks, and improvements to the substructure. During 14 months of construction, the road will be closed, but the rail station will remain open. The RTA Board awarded the contract to the Schirmer Construction Co. in August. A notice to proceed was issued in late October. At least 17 percent of the work will be split amount five Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs). RTA owns and maintains 47 bridge crossings.

Jayna Story, take a bow. She has been identified as the operator. Your comments have been passed along to her. Thanks.

The November issue of Riders Digest has been posted to our Web site. The publication contains stories on Euclid Corridor progress, revised bicycle-on-rail rules, the opening of the East 121st Street bridge over rail tracks near Shaker Square, the volunteer award, and how to ride RTA to see the Browns, Cavs, Monsters, and holiday lighting ceremonies. Enjoy. http://www.riderta.com/pdf/RidersDigest/Nov-07-RD.pdf

The November issue of Riders Digest has been posted to our Web site. The publication contains stories on Euclid Corridor progress, revised bicycle-on-rail rules, the opening of the East 121st Street bridge over rail tracks near Shaker Square, the volunteer award, and how to ride RTA to see the Browns, Cavs, Monsters, and holiday lighting ceremonies. Enjoy. http://www.riderta.com/pdf/RidersDigest/Nov-07-RD.pdf

RTA needs your help. Each year, we seek to honor a deserving community volunteer. There are many such people in Greater Cleveland, but in the past year, the nominations have not reflected that. Below is a link to award info on our Web site. Please review it, submit a nomination, and/or forward the info to some of the groups you work with. The deadline is March 31. We are doing one "push" before the holidays, and another after Jan. 1. Our goal is to give the selection committee on the Citizens Advisory Board a number of qualified candidates to choose from. Thanks. http://www.riderta.com/CAB/cvaward.asp

RTA needs your help. Each year, we seek to honor a deserving community volunteer. There are many such people in Greater Cleveland, but in the past year, the nominations have not reflected that. Below is a link to award info on our Web site. Please review it, submit a nomination, and/or forward the info to some of the groups you work with. The deadline is March 31. We are doing one "push" before the holidays, and another after Jan. 1. Our goal is to give the selection committee on the Citizens Advisory Board a number of qualified candidates to choose from. Thanks. http://www.riderta.com/CAB/cvaward.asp

When the project is fully operational, all buses will make all stops, and all stops will be at stations only. Service will be every five minutes.

To each person who made a comment about our Web site... Please know that every good Web site is a work in progress. Ours changes daily. Your comments have been sent to our Webmaster, who very much wants to make the site as user-friendly as possible to all our customers. We both thank you for taking the time to write. In the future, please feel free to send Web-related comments directly to: [email protected]

<<Well, can we get someone to suggest "building and expanding rail the rail system"...have the topic debated, then have Joe say "lets try it anyway".>> You ignored the second half of my post, the part about financial realities. Joe Calabrese is not anti-rail...he is just a realist when it comes to spending money, especially YOUR money. I would LOVE to live in a big house, with an indoor swimming pool, a staff of servants, and a Porsche in the driveway. But I cannot afford it now, and I probably never will. For me to sit around all day and dream about it would be a real waste of my time and energy (in my opinion). Instead, I devote my time, energy and financial resources to doing things that are realistic and will bear real fruit. I point you to RTA's long-range plan. Thanks. http://www.riderta.com/ar_transit2025.asp

Never apologize for thinking outside the box. Joe Calabrese does it all the time. You do not know how many times I have been in meetings with his senior staff. Joe presents an idea, and staff members give him all the reasons why it will not work. Joe listens to all of their reasons, thinks for a moment, and then says, "Let's try it anyway." There are some realities in life. Legally speaking, RTA has to operate within certain financial parameters. That often ties our hands. The spirit is willing, but the pocketbook is weak.

Regarding how RTA is financed: RTA was created when taxpayers approved a one percent countywide sales tax. That means if you buy a $1 item, and pay 7 cents, RTA gets a penny of that. Right now, that generates about 70 percent of the operating fund. It has been underperforming for years because of the weak economy here. It is also negatively affected by growing Internet sales -- remember that the next time you buy something online. About 20 percent of the operating fund comes from the farebox, so even with large growth, only a small percentage of the pie gets bigger. The other 10 percent of the general comes from some state and federal grants, investments and transit advertising. Note: The trolleys are free because they did not generate very much new money in the first place. Most people who rode the former downtown loops transferred from another mode. We now have sponsors to pay for the lost revenue from making it a free ride. On the other hand, Park-n-Ride service costs a bit more because it is premium service -- special parking lots, larger MCI buses, etc.

Two points. First. The new service down Euclid Avenue will probably not be called the Silver Line. RTA is negotiating for naming rights with the "John Doe Company". When negotiations are complete, the service will likely be called "the John Doe Line." Nothing has been decided or formally announced. The Silver Line may be used in those areas where we need a color code or short name, such as on a map. Second point. The new service will replace the existing service on the #6 route. The existing service is now 24/7, so I would assume the new service would be the same. I have no crystal ball, but that is what is being planned at this time.

This single post certainly generated many comments. I promise to share your comments with Marketing, Operations, and the General Manager.

<<How about a poll using the major media outlets [PD, CBS, NBC, Fox, Crains & the Sun Papers]...Specifically ask if the later rail service was offered would people use it and place a range on it it.>> I will pass this along. Please know there is a vast difference between what people say and what they actually do. Many times, when RTA has a public hearing to cut service on a route, the room will be full, and person after person will come to the mic and tell us not to cut service. After questioning, you find out that only 1-2 people in the room actually use the service, the others are just opposed to the cuts. As one RTA official noted, "If everyone in this room rode the #999, we would not be talking about cutting the service."

I understand your viewpoint. As it is right now, the last few light-rail trips each evening have very low ridership. RTA does not believe there is enough potential ridership to support late-night service. We certainly could not take any resources away work-related rush-hour trips. from And right now, there is no money in a super-tight budget for "test runs." I do not see anything changing in the near future. Please, don't shoot the messenger.

I just discovered this interesting study on the demographics of transit riders nationally. I think you'll like it. http://www.apta.com/government_affairs/policy/documents/transit_passenger_characteristics_07.pdf

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recently created a second Web site devoted strictly to helping the public find out more about transit. You may want to check it out. APTA's main Web site continues to be www.apta.com The new Web site is www.publictransportation.org

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recently created a second Web site devoted strictly to helping the public find out more about transit. You may want to check it out. APTA's main Web site continues to be www.apta.com The new Web site is www.publictransportation.org

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recently created a second Web site devoted strictly to helping the public find out more about transit. You may want to check it out. APTA's main Web site continues to be www.apta.com The new Web site is www.publictransportation.org

Does this work for the Train as well? What information should be note when on a train? Best examples: BUS: 4:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, coach #2333 WB on Euclid at E. 40, coach blocked intersection. RAIL: 5:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, Red Line car #333 WB, left 5 people standing on the Puritas platform. It's always good to get as much info as possible. The supervisor who will wind up talking to the operator did not see the incident. You did. We appreciate your help.

RTA now owns 50 "next connect" signs. 30 of them have already been installed at rail stations and transit centers. Many of the other 20 will be installed along the Euclid Corridor. You can see one in operation at East 40th Street Station. On Oct. 16, the RTA Board approved the purchase of 63 more signs for $368,000. They will arrive early next year. You will see them at rail stations, transit centers, and along Euclid Avenue. The signs from Siemens CDO announce the next scheduled departurne, as well as the present time. 80 percent of the cost was paid with federal funds.

RTA now owns 50 "next connect" signs. 30 of them have already been installed at rail stations and transit centers. Many of the other 20 will be installed along the Euclid Corridor. You can see one in operation at East 40th Street Station. On Oct. 16, the RTA Board approved the purchase of 63 more signs for $368,000. They will arrive early next year. You will see them at rail stations, transit centers, and along Euclid Avenue. The signs from Siemens CDO announce the next scheduled departurne, as well as the present time. 80 percent of the cost was paid with federal funds.

I feel your pain. I frequently walk around downtown and have complained about specific instances. Several times, I had a digital camera with me, and turned in an official complaint with an image. If you see this happening, please get the specifics (at the very least, the day, time and four-digit vehicle number). That will help us ID the operator in question. Thanks.