JMasek

PD reports on Red Line overhaul today http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/01/rta_red_line_trains_to_get_a_w.html

I have not seen a comprehensive list of all that will be added during the Red Line overhaul. When more is announced, I will let you know.

I think the PD addressed the fare machine issue last week.

^ Phase 2 will include new seats, a new interior, and extra space in the front of each car for wheelchairs, bikes, strollers and standing room. A total of 4 seats on each side will be removed. This is also being done in other cities.

Heavy-rail vehicle cars are being done in two phases. Phase 1 is the overhaul of the electrical and mechanical parts -- the things you don't see. That phase is almost done. Phase 2 starts in 2013, and will include an overhaul of interiors and exteriors. I think you will like what you see.

Ken, I am not sure what the benefit would be. The other day, I walked from the door of a Red Line train into the casino's interior door inside Tower City -- and it took me 43 steps. That's abount as convenient as you are going to get. And, the majority of all RTA buses touch Public Square, within a short walk of the casino's front door. There is already loads of service to the casino. That being said -- I do not make those decisions. I will send this along the pipeline and see what happens.

^I do not have these figures, but research can be done by anyone. Please know that overall employement, not just downtown figures, affect RTA ridership. We serve all of Cuyahoga County.

OnNov. 25, freethink posted a question about casinos. I must have missed it at the time, but now I can answer it. He asked: <<Why couldn't RTA offer the same deal as LakefrontLines. Customers could be offered to purchase a special $10 Casino RapidPass on-line that would be good for a round trip to and from the casino while receiving $15 in free slot play when you get there. Or maybe they could run specific CasinoCars on the weekends from various RTA stations. Would customers be interested in taking the rapid downtown and receiving a benefit of free slot play when they get there. Something to think about. Although I'm sure there must be some federal regulation that would prohibit RTA from being involved.>> Answer: As you may have noticed in recent years, RTA no longer operates special bus service from Park-N-Ride lots to Tribe games and Browns games. The federal government, which gives us 80 percent of the funding needed to buy new buses, has declared this kind of service to be a "charter", and gives us an unfair advantage over private carriers, like Lakefront Lines. If RTA were to violate the charter regulations, the feds could deny us future federal funding. Any service operated by RTA, with few exceptions, needs to be open to everyone. Yes, we operate more rail service for a Browns game, because 1). we perceive a need for the extra service to meet the demand, and 2). The extra Rapid service is open to non-Browns fans. I hope this answers your question. Happy holidays.

^ Surely, some of it is the casino. Virtually every day, I see new riders -- usually more mature couples who don't want to drive downtown -- hopping on the Rapid at Puritas. More importantly, employment is up, and 60 percent of all trips are job-related.

I will be off-line for a few days...I'll pick this back up when I return.

^ You are correct. It was best November ridership. I believe we do use a different method from NTD.

Ridership Report thru Nov. 30 Systemwide, up 3.3 percent, or 134,000 rides in Nov., and 4.8 percent YTD. HealthLine, up 8.4 percent in Nov., highest Nov. ridership ever. Up 3.6 percent YTD. Rail, up 2.4 percent in Nov, 8.0 YTD * Red Line ridership in Nov., 523,000, highest month in more than 40 years Trolley ridership up 21 percent in Nov., with average daily ridership at 4,853 Bikes boarded: 4,000 in Nov., 42,000+ YTD

Looking ahead, here are some things that may affect transit in 2013. May 1, 2013, Ernst and Young completes tower on the Flats East Bank. Waterfront Line returns to full operation. Spring 2013, RTA completes work on Airport tunnel, and begins work on Red Line S-curve. July 2013, Opening of Medical Mart/Convention Center. July 21-Aug. 5, 2013: Summer National Senior Games, with more than 10,000 athletes, age 50+, from around the world. Late 2013, Grand re-opening, Cleveland Museum of Art.

Update on the Clifton Blvd. Enhancement Project. The project has now been approved by design review committees in both ciities, and work next summer is now cleared to proceed.

Happy 10th anniversary to the North Olmsted Park-N-Ride, which was dedicated on Dec. 9, 2002.

RTA will operate Sunday/holiday service on: · Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012 · New Year's Day, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013 RTA will operate regular weekday service on: · Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012 · New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31, 2012

KJP asked about the new Rolling Stock Replacement Fund. In several years, RTA will have to replace a large number of buses. In the past, this kind of purchase was funded 80 percent federal, 20 percent local, but now, the federal share is far from being a sure thing. Obviously, having a reliable fleet of buses is key to the RTA to meet its mission. RTA is putting some money aside each year for the next several years, so new "rolling stock" can be purchased when it is needed. The life span of a bus is usually considered to be 12 years. After that, more breakdowns occur, and repairs become more costly. That negatively impacts ridership, reliability and on-time performance. Personally, I believe that is a prudent use of taxpayer money, and I am pleased to see it happening.

Here is a link to all the presentations from Tuesday's Committee meetings, including one for the new Safety and Security Committee. http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1824

^ Thanks for your feedback. The Airport shuttle notice is, and will continue to be, part of the notice on the Web site home page every day. Just click on the message, and it take you right to the information. I will pass along your concerns about the Red Line shuttle schedule. Yes, the work at the Airport and the S-curve may overlap. However, the Airport tunnel work affect only a small percentage of travelers. The large majority will see only the S-curve shuttle.

There's a lot going on at Tuesday's Committee meetings. Here's the agenda. http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1823

http://www.riderta.com/usercontent/file/2013-Transmittal-Letter-COMPLETE-with-cover&signature.pdf This is a link to the Budget Transmittal letter, which went to the Board last week. It is loaded with facts and figures. Enjoy.

http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1821, shooting update

Highlights from November 20 Board and Committee Meetings, including 2013 Service Plan http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1820

RTA's proposed Service Management Plan for 2013 was outlined today at a Board of Trustees Committee meeting. FYI, in spring 2013, when part of the Flats East Bank development opens, the Waterfront Line will begin operating 7 days a week. At the same time, the NineTwelve trolley will extend its evening hours to 8 p.m. to accommodate new employers along E. Ninth St. There will then be two RTA services for people who park in the Municipal Lot along the Shoreway, and the #47 loop will be discontinued. I bring that up because #47 was discussed here earlier. One other piece of new info: During 2013, RTA hopes to open a Park-N-Ride lot near I-77 and Rockside in Independence. No other details were given. The Board will vote in December on the 2013 Budget, which include the Service Management Plan.

I do not believe the ridership numbers are there yet to speak of large service increases. RTA is certainly monitoring service demand. It is indeed an exciting time to be in Cleveland. RTA service plan for 2013 will be discussed tomorrow at the Board meeting, and the entire PowerPoint should be on-line. I will let you know when it is posted.