JMasek

I checked. RTA's goal is to finish the repairs in November. I was told that part of the long process comes from ordering and then testing each signal control box. I am at home today, will not be checking this forum again until late Wednesday afternoon Thanks for all your interest in the Red Line. Nobody wants the system up and running more than RTA.

^ You are entitled to your opinion. Work started immediately to bring the system to a point when service -- even slow service -- could be handled safely. Then, a vendor was hired to assess the long-range repairs, and work began to make those repairs. It's much more than just the tower -- it's all rail systems from Puritas to the Airport -- a massive job. It's also all a matter of safety. RTA will increase rail service just as soon as we are assured that people can be carried safely.

The Red Line signal damage occurred on July 22, 2011. The frequency will increase as soon as repairs are done.

On Thursday, due to an overhead catenary issue, the Operations Division provided rail replacement bus shuttles from Tower City to the eastern rail terminals. The replacement service was provided from 12:30 PM until 7:00 PM. The power had to be cut to all service east of East 55th St. This meant that Red Line on the west side could not be beefed up to the normal rush-hour strength. RTA kept customers informed through the Web site scroller, NextConnect, Commuter Alerts, Facebook, Twitter, and put extra manpower on the street to help direct people.

^ Ground-breaking ceremony is 10 a.m. Sept. 19. FTA officials will be here.

We interrupt this debate for breaking news. RTA is planning a ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 19, for the renovation of the Cedar-University Red Line Rapid Station. It was formerly known as the University Circle Rapid Station. A 24-month construction period will follow. The station and bus terminal will remain open during construction. We now return you to the on-going debate.

<< (When the Waterfront Line goes into full service next spring) will the Green Line trains continue thru TC and onto the WFL? It seems like when its running for special events that only the Blue Line does this. >> When only the Blue Line train goes onto the Waterfront Line, service is every 30 minutes. When both lines proceed on the WFL, service is every 15 minutes. The schedules for next spring are certainly not available now, but I would expect, if the Flats East Bank is "moving and shaking" with offices and other tenants, that 15-minute service would be the norm. That is not a guarantee, just an educated opinion.

When the first major office tenant of Flats East Bank opens in April or May 2013, the Waterfront Line will begin operating again, seven days a week.

<< So RTA is hoping that a bunch of downtown workers have their bus passes paid for by work and so will choose to continue taking the 47 instead of, god forbid, walking a block to catch a trolley. Good for RTA I guess. >> To judge the worth of a service before the first day of trolley service....would be illogical.

<<The L-Line does not make sense to me. Why not just make the Waterfront Line service from TC to the Muni lots free? Seems like a duplication of service. >> Take a closer look at the destinations, including the hotels. The Waterfront Line is a continuation of the Blue/Green Line, with paying customers, so no, it cannot be free.

<< Is the 47 loop bus going to be discontinued? >> Not at this time. Let's wait and see how things pan out before starting that discussion.

The routes were designed to meet what is perceived as the greatest need for visitors who stay at hotels and locals who also use attractions. Keeping the C Line on Euclid does not meet its goals. The route was developed with input from a lot of civic leaders, including DCA and the tourism business.

The layovers are: B and E, same as now, using RTA HQ, the most logical spot for operators to take a quick break. C will also be the RTA HQ. L will be the Great Lakes Science Center and the stop by the Horseshoe Casino. NineTwelve will be Muni Lot and the parking lot near the arena on Huron Road.

KJP, during the work day, you have two choices from Tower City, based on where you are going, the same as you have always had. After 7 p.m., the C-Line is your only choice. On weekends, you can choose either the C or the L, based on your desination. The NineTwelve is for rush-hour commutes for employees who work on or near East Ninth Street. The plan and funding is set for 3 years. There may be "tweaking", but I doubt if you will see wholesale changes.

The announcement will be posted here at 11 a.m. or soon thereafter. I will handle comments after I return, around noon probably.

Re: 3-car trains westbound. I would never say that. Adding a third car is an additional fuel expense. It is not a slam-dunk. It's all based on demand.

fyi, I am having trouble with "quote" key. Is this systemwide, or just me?

^ I do not have to guess, so I won't. It's one of the cardinal rules of public information -- no guessing, no "what ifs". I have never heard such a number tossed around. Later this year, repairs on the west end of the Red Line signal system will be complete, and frequency will improve.

<< A couple of years ago, there were plans or at least discussion to add a third rail car to the Red Line. With ridership up 11 percent, are those plans still being talked about or no? >> RTA has and will continue to use three-car trains on the Red Line on days that demand it, such as St. Patrick's Day and Opening Day. They may be used for Browns' home games this fall.

^ RTA's Board of Trustees passed a resolution several years ago that declared that all RTA property is now smoke-free, for the health of the customers and the employees. Is it an overreaction of Transit Police to enforce the law? No. Do I welcome cancer-causing smoke in my face as I wait on the Rapid platform? No. Do I have a right to expect fresh air? Yes.

<< What a joke. Nothing but a money grab. >> You are entitled to your opinion, but it is not supported by any known facts. 1. FACT: RTA's annual operating budget is more than $250 million a year. Even if Transit Police issue hundreds of tickets at $250 each, the revenue would hardly affect the budget. I am not even sure the funds go to RTA. 2. FACT: Ohio voters passed a law in 2006, saying that they wanted smoking banned in public places. RTA property is certainly a public place. 3. FACT: RTA is stepping up enforcement, because our customers asked us to. 4. FACT: Second-hand smoke is a health hazard. My opinion -- breathing smoke from your cigar or cigarette is just as bad (harmful) as getting punched in the stomach. If one is a crime, then so is the other. I would love to hear the "facts" surrounding your opinion that this is all a money grab.

More good news about ridership: :clap: * In July, total ridership was up for the 16th straight month -- an increase of 3.4 percent, or 120,000 rides :-D . * Average weekday ridership up 1 percent, or 1,600 rides. :wink: * YTD total ridership up 5.7 percent :-) . * HealthLine ridership up 2 percent, or 6,500 more rides. :yap: * ALL modes were up. Tops were heavy rail, up 11 percent, and Paratransit, up 15 percent. :wink2: * Average daily trolley ridership is 4,000. :wave:

Here you go. RTA is going to beef up its efforts to bring you clean air. Quotes are from Joe Calabrese "The world is becoming less tolerant regarding smoking. As a result, the people of the State of Ohio, like many other States, voted to ban smoking in public places. Consistent with that vote of the people, the State Legislature passed laws prohibiting smoking in public places and the RTA Board adopted a smoking policy in 2006 which prohibits smoking “in all revenue and non-revenue motors vehicles, rail vehicles, indoor and outdoor areas of transit facilities, workplaces, and other buildings owned, leased or rented by the Authority”. Due to continued non-compliance of these rules by some, and the increasing number of complaints we are receiving regarding smoking on RTA property, I have asked Transit Police to increase the formal enforcement of the no-smoking policy. Initially this will be a two-step process with an official warning to be followed by an issued Citation per O.R.C. 2917.41 – “Misconduct involving public transportation”. It is a non-waiverable misdemeanor of the 4th degree, with a maximum fine of $250.00 and court costs of $127.00." He wants to start educatng both employees and customers. RTA’s Personnel Policies and Procedures section 600.01 clearly spells out the Authority’s smoking policy and declaration as a smoke-free workplace. Considering your keen interest in transit. I thought you would like to know. Thanks.

The presentation to hire City Architecture was made on July 1, 2008, to the Planning & Development Committee. http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1176 The Board approved the resolution July 15, 2008. http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1181 I hope that helps.

All projects of this type work the same way. RTA's Procurement Department issues a Request for Proposals (RFP), and interested parties download the information from our Web site. Those firms that are interested submit written proposals. The proposals are evaluated by an internal panel of 8-10 staff, and 3-4 of the firms with the best proposals are invited to make presentations to the panel. The panel selects a vendor. The panel makes a presentation at an open Board Committee meeting on why that firm was chosen. Price plays a part, but so does a proven track record in transit projects. About 2 weeks after the Board presentation, there is a vote in a public meeting to select the vendor, and then Legal begins to draw up a contract. I am looking now for a copy of the resolution to hire the firm, as well as the PowerPoint presentation to the Board. I hope to post those later today.