JMasek

FYI, the Web site for the Clifton Blvd. project is maintained by a project vendor. It has been updated to reflect news from the two recent public meetings. You may want to check it out. www.enhanceclifton.com

The goal is to have the project out for bid by the end of 2013. No ground-breaking date has been set.

Reminder: The second Clifton Blvd. public meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Women's Club Pavilion in Lakewood Park. The same information will be presented. Planners wanted to have one public meeting in each of the two cities affected.

<<Most stations do not sell the 5-ride passes, which are by far the most useful in RTA's lineup. I wish they sold them in 10 and 20 as well.>> There is not enough space on the back of the farecard to record the start and end times for more than 5 trips.

<<"And also say that the trolley cost $1.50.">> The fare page also says that trolleys are in the bus loop category. We reserve the right to charge $1.50 per ride. That is the fare. However, the free trolley promotion has been in effect since they began, because the private sector is underwriting what we would normally collect. So, every time you get a trolley ride, you are saving yourself $1.50. Legally, we have to post that info, <<I know they have a new web site under construction, but the written material on some of these pages is just awful and should have been improved years ago.>> This is a cheap shot, grossly overstated and completely unfair. ("Yes, Jerry, but how do you really feel?") The new Web site design does not mean we are ignoring the current site. If it's on the site, then it is in the public domain, and it needs to be correct. IF you (or anyone else) believe that you have spotted something out-of-date or incorrect, then please follow the correct procedure. Send the page link with your comments to [email protected]. We will look into it. Just because you think something is wrong does not mean it is. All comments will receive replies when the matter is resolved. Pointing out specific examples of "possible inaccuracies" to the people who can change them is certainly a better use of energy that sending out a negative, generic blast to a multitude of people who cannot. I have said this before several times here, but it bears repeating. Thanks for giving me that opportunity.

Want to take RTA to the polls on Tuesday? Go to www.rideRTA.com/vote.

^ Clvndr. thanks for saving me the keystrokes. We agree. To operate a bus plus the Rapid means competing with yourself for a finite customer base, and that's just bad business.

This might help. During the shutdown, RTA will operate bus service between the bus stop area on the east side of the Brookpark Station and the the Airport terminal. Buses will have destination signs that read "Red Line". Bus service will be coordinated with the rail schedule. Buses will operate every 20 minutes until Dec. 9, when they will begin operating every 15 minutes. Yes, that means that the Rapid repairs are almost over. Most people who ride the Rapid to the Airport are employees of the city or TSA.

On Monday, Nov. 5, the station entrance north of Cedar Ave will close until further notice, as the rebuilding of the Station begins. Buses going westbound will no longer pull into the bus lane or stop at the north entrance to the Station. All customers will board the Red Line and buses on the bus loop side of the Station.

If cars or trucks park in a bus-only lane, or are too close to a bust stop / bus shelter, then they are impeding the safe flow of transit vehicles, and are ticketed. Drivers try to infringe on our space all the time. I am glad to hear they are writing tickets.

A $9.5 million enhancement project for Clifton Boulevard is back on the table, with construction planned for the first half of 2013. Updates will be offered at two public meetings: * 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, Louisa May Alcott School, 10308 Baltic Road, Cleveland. * 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, Lakewood Women's Club Pavilion, 14532 Lake Ave., Lakewood Park. The project is a joint effort of RTA, the City of Cleveland and the City of Lakewood.

I believe it is being called a "racino." RTA is monitoring the situation, and any service changes would be made closer to the time it opens.

^ If you are not a doctor, please do not offer medical advice. I know that when someone blows smoke in my face, I have a strong adverse physical reaction. Will the smoke cause cancer? Frankly, I am not going to wait around to find out. BACKGROUND: Several years ago, after the Ohio residents voted to become smoke-free, the RTA Board passed a resolution, declaring all RTA property to be smoke-free, There are signs up in every shelter, on every bus and train and on every platform. Lately, complaints about smoking have greatly increased, so Joe Calabrese has ordered Transit Police to step up their enforcement. I do not have the paperwork in front of me, but the total cost of a citation, plus court costs, can top $200. If a smoker is bothering you, tell a nearby Transit Police officer, or call 216-566-5163. Police might not be arrive before the smoker leaves, but they have it on record that problem exists at this station at this time, and that helps too.

^ Yes, The project is still very much "alive," but it does not move into the design and planning stages until all parties have been identified and funding has been secured.

Highlights of the Oct. 9 Board Committee have been posted at http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1794. The release includes links to several important PowerPoint presentations. 1. How RTA will handle rail service when the S-curve repairs are made next year. 2. RTA capital budget for 2013. The second half of the presentation includes a list of projects that are in construction, design, etc. There's lots of good information here. Enjoy.

This page has just been updated. The tunnel project begins on Nov. 26. http://www.riderta.com/majorprojects/airporttunnel/

A ceremony to officially open the Buckeye-Woodhill Station is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Transit Police, like most other law enforcement agencies, respond to demands. You put your finite resources where they will do the most good. Transit Police closely monitor activities and complaints. If a pattern shows that there are consistent issues at Station X at 3 p.m each day, police supervisors will assign more resources to that time and place. As staffing permits, more officers will be assigned to station patrol. There are no guarantees because things change every day. Transit is a very dynamic animal. Chief Joyce is not about to promise things that won't happen. He came here from a long and distinguished career in the FBI. He's also correct in asking for suggestions. If all our riders become more aware of their surroundings and report improper activity, the easier it is for Transit Police to crackdown on problem areas.

Riders Alert, Saturday, Sept. 29, from 4:30 am-3 p.m., buses replace Red Line trains from Puritas to Hopkins. Contractor will work in the area to test, install and remove cables, as work continues to repair the signals.

clvndr asked: "Can we get cops permanently posted at Ohio City and similar stations?" Transit Police Chief John Joyce responds: "Safety is always our main concern. We are trying to move more police onto rail cars and platforms, and we welcome your suggestions."

The October Riders Digest is now available on-line: http://www.riderta.com/pdf/RidersDigest/OCT-2012-RD_1.pdf

^ Thanks for your comment. I will pass it along.

Ridership highlights, through Sept. 1: * Systemwide, Up 6.2 percent in August, 5.7 percent year-to-date. * 17 straight months of growth * Highest August ridership since 2009 * Since last year, average weekday ridership rose more than 10,000 trips * HealthLine up 9 percent in August, 3.6 percent YTD. * Red Line ridership up 16.3 percent in August, 10.7 percent YTD. * Light rail flat in August, up 6.3 percent YTD * Trolley ridership up 20 percent over last year, or more than 4,000 rides a day. * YTD bike trips 29,403

a re-sized photo will appear here later

Work has begun on the renovation of the Cedar-University Red Line Rapid Station. Press release: http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1785 Project updates: http://www.riderta.com/majorprojects/cedaruniversity/