October 8, 200816 yr http://www.rtahealthline.com/grand-opening.html Opening weekend celebration. To be honest, I'm impressed with Jordan Sparks as the concert - although I'm not a fan, I'm impressed about the national act - well done, RTA!
October 8, 200816 yr Great list of festivities and partners, but wasn't there going to be a concert in University Circle as well? Will there be "ambassadors" on board the vehicles to announce projects along the corridor, as well as features of the vehicle and line and to answer questions from first-time riders?
October 8, 200816 yr I am simultaneously impressed and creeped out that the Center for Dialysis Care has a "Special Event Offer" to celebrate the opening of the Health Line.
October 9, 200816 yr Great list of festivities and partners, but wasn't there going to be a concert in University Circle as well? Will there be "ambassadors" on board the vehicles to announce projects along the corridor, as well as features of the vehicle and line and to answer questions from first-time riders? i believe the univ circle concert was eliminated due to budget constraints. yes, there will be volunteer ambassadors aboard the vehicles during opening weekend. also, some other news from this morning's Community Advisory Board meeting: -Bus #7,9,32 will be running on the Euclid Corridor as soon as all said buses have the optican traffic signalization system installed as well as the docking arm (wheel) to enable use of the ECTP stations. -Redline trains will switch to Proof of Payment ticketing in December 08 -the ECTP will see the rollout of three types of ticketing related machines. a central kiosk which includes both ticketing and validation machines, a smaller machine solely for ticketing, and a stainless steel 'buck rogers' style ticket validation machine. IMO, the good news is that all ticketing machines on the ECTP and eventually on the Redline, will accept credit cards.
October 9, 200816 yr Great news, especially the POP on the Red Line. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 9, 200816 yr -the ECTP will see the rollout of three types of ticketing related machines. a central kiosk which includes both ticketing and validation machines, a smaller machine solely for ticketing, and a stainless steel 'buck rogers' style ticket validation machine. IMO, the good news is that all ticketing machines on the ECTP and eventually on the Redline, will accept credit cards. Happy dance!!!!!!!!!!! :-D
October 10, 200816 yr I just heard an ad where RTA was explaing the healthline to Prospect Ave. I thought it was pretty funny and clever, especially when RTA asked Prospect to say hi to Mike the Hatter. It's good to hear RTA marketing the new healthline!
October 10, 200816 yr This past week (I belive this has to do with the Innerbelt Bridge problems), the traffic reporter on the radio has been encouraging drivers to take RTA in order to avoid the freeway mess.
October 10, 200816 yr This may have been covered in this rather long forum but why is there a traffic light east of E. 69th Street (not even at the intersection) and crosswalk there? Related to some planned project that didn't materialize? I noticed it this a.m. when I was forced to stop at a red light.... Second, I notice there are still long stretches of Euclid East of E. 85th with no tall streetlights on the walks.... At this point I'm wondering if none are to be installed there, though that seems awfully strange that section of Euclid would not have the regularly placed sidewalk lights like the other streches (even if it does have some tall central lights as well as those low pole light thingies.... If more are to be installed they're awfully late. Third, I've noticed these very unattractive low white-colored cylinders in various-sized clumps in many spots along the Avenue. No, I can't easily supply digitals, but there are, for example, a clump in front of the Stockbridge Apts. and a large clump in front of Morse Graphics. I noticed these some months back and always hoped they were temporary. They're sort of shabby looking and almost all tilted - look like they've been knocked over and they're just left there like that indefinitely.
October 10, 200816 yr Glad if Mike the Hatter gets a little publicity. Hopefully all blocks around Euclid will benefit. And so glad the picketers (some 300 yesterday, it was reported) are gone from Cadillac Ranch. Enough is enough!
October 14, 200816 yr can someone w/ Crains membership post the article titled "HealthLine springing to life amid wave of uncertainty"
October 14, 200816 yr Hope you can open this: http://crainsclevelandbusiness.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/SUB1/810109931 :clap:
October 14, 200816 yr Hope you can open this: http://crainsclevelandbusiness.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/SUB1/810109931 :clap: No. That's why it was asked to post the actual article in the thread .. so people without a subscription can read it.
October 14, 200816 yr HealthLine springing to life amid wave of uncertainty By JAY MILLER, STAN BULLARD 4:30 am, October 13, 2008 After more than three years of disruptive construction along Euclid Avenue, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s 21st-century bus/rapid transit line, the $200 million HealthLine, is ready to carry its first riders. Just how far it will help carry to a brighter future the neighborhoods that line its 6.7-mile route from Public Square to University Circle remains to be seen. Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/SUB1/810109931/1004&Profile=1004
October 14, 200816 yr I'm surprise if you couldn't open my link. The article popped up on my PC with no login required!
October 14, 200816 yr I'm surprise if you couldn't open my link. The article popped up on my PC with no login required! Then obviously someone using the PC you're on is a subscriber. Anyway, it's open and all can read. Moving on....
October 14, 200816 yr nice read. i like that they mentioned the new healthline busses run 24/7. i hadn't thought of that and it caught my eye. very good to mention it within a crain's article about redevelopment.
October 14, 200816 yr It did start off a little doom and gloomy, but I think I am just beaten down by the PD coverage. Perhaps in this worldwide economic enviroment it is warrented. Anyways, all in all it is a great article.
October 14, 200816 yr I thought it was warranted. I mean, I'm against naively glossing over problems or negativity and pretending that those things don't exist. I do have a problem with media outlets CONSTANTLY spewing negativity about the city, though .. where it gets to the point that the media (whoever it may be) is obviously hateful about their city, and they want other people to join them, and it becomes so obvious that both sides of the story aren't presented objectively at all. In my opinion, Crain's hasn't been one to spew negativity. They've managed to be pretty unbiased in their reporting, which should put the PD to shame because they're a business publication. I think they bring up valid concerns in mentioning those facts in the opening of the article.
October 14, 200816 yr RTA Board approves fuel surcharge, to start Oct. 27 http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1220 How "proof-of-payment" works http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1219 Some routes change as HealthLine opens http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1218
October 14, 200816 yr ok, I love the Healthline and just like Gateway, I think will become an important case study for urban re-development. One cosmetic question/concern: Portions of Euclid around University Circle appear to be made with a rather poor looking asphalt. With the grand opening 1 week away, it appears as though that will be the final product. It does not look good.
October 14, 200816 yr How "proof-of-payment" works http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1219 Sorry for the additional comment, Jerry but: Re. the instruction "All-Day Passes must be activated if purchased off-board." If no passes or fares can be purchases on board, shouldn't this say: "All-Day Passes must be activated before first use only." ?
October 14, 200816 yr How "proof-of-payment" works http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1219 Sorry for the additional comment, jerry but: "All-Day Passes must be activated if purchased off-board." If no passes or fares can be purchases on board, I'm not sure I understand what this is getting at. I take this to mean if you purchased at an agent, not at one of the machines at the station, which means you'll have to have it validated before you board the HL, as per the last set of bullet points.
October 14, 200816 yr ^I just edited my post with suggested alternative language. Not a big point, but when it says "if purchased-off board", the implication is that something can be purchased on-board. Which undercuts the other instructions.
October 16, 200816 yr Press Release from City Hall: Grand Opening of the Euclid Corridor Bike Lanes Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson joins the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, Cleveland Bikes and the Regional Transit Authority in inviting Clevelanders to cut the ribbon and open the Euclid Corridor bike lanes on Saturday, October 25th at 11:00 a.m. on Euclid Avenue at East 24th Street. Cyclists will ride the City’s first commuter bike lanes along the new Euclid Avenue from Downtown to University Circle and back. “For the first time in Cleveland’s history, residents have a safe route to bicycle between our two largest centers of employment and education,” stated Mayor Jackson. The Euclid Corridor “Health Line” project has transformed Cleveland’s historic “main street” into a world-class “Complete Street” for bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit riders. The new bike lanes are the latest addition to Cleveland’s growing network of bike trails and routes, connecting residents to the lakefront and to schools, jobs, shopping and recreation destinations. The Euclid Corridor bike lanes connect directly to the Harrison Dillard bike trail through the Cultural Gardens along the route north to Lake Erie and eventually south to the Shaker Lakes. Making Cleveland a “Bicycle Friendly Community” is part of a larger initiative to promote active living and to improve the health of Clevelanders, while creating a more sustainable environment for future generations. “Burn calories, not carbon” is a guiding principle of the active living initiative, which aims to help Cleveland realize the goal of becoming a “Green City on a Blue Lake.”
October 16, 200816 yr CRAIN'S: HealthLine springing to life amid wave of uncertainty By JAY MILLER, STAN BULLARD 4:30 am, October 13, 2008
October 16, 200816 yr Can't wait to ride the new #6. Hopefully the new setup will attract MANY new riders, not just riders off nearby trains and bus routes.
October 16, 200816 yr I leave on Oct 22nd for the service....err....just wanted to ride it once! This makes me happy this project is finally complete. It really creates such optimism, especially when walking the streets downtown and hearing people talk. Great read on the article too!
October 16, 200816 yr My monthly passes will be ready Nov. 1st. I'll foot the three-dollars-a-day for the week before that. :)
October 16, 200816 yr Thanks for serving, Murray Hill. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 17, 200816 yr Here's an article that ran in the CWRU paper today. Overall pretty decent: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RTA's Euclid Corridor Project nears completion Amelia Landenberger Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: News http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper1370/stills/54518j5j.jpg Years after construction began, the RTA HealthLine begins operation on Oct. 24. The HealthLine is the portion of the Euclid Corridor Project that will have the greatest effect on Case students. Media Credit: Denton Zhou The orange cones and fences on Euclid Avenue are finally disappearing. Though it's likely that memories of construction inconvenience will remain with students for some time to come, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will stage the grand opening for the results of its work next week. Most, if not all of the construction was part of the Euclid Corridor Project, which is comprised of the new HealthLine and a separate project, called the St. Clair/Superior Transit Zone. Altogether, the project cost $168.4 million. The construction has been ongoing since 2005, and the planning has been going on for decades. Though the project is expected to be beneficial to the communities surrounding Euclid Avenue, for students, the greatest benefits of the new HealthLine will likely be its new vehicles, convenience, 24-hour service, and the improvements to the sidewalks, lighting, and bus shelters on campus. ......... www.cwruobserver.com/media/storage/paper1370/news/2008/10/17/News/Rtas-Euclid.Corridor.Project.Nears.Completion-3492062.shtml]http://media.www.cwruobserver.com/media/storage/paper1370/news/2008/10/17/News/Rtas-Euclid.Corridor.Project.Nears.Completion-3492062.shtml
October 18, 200816 yr "But the question still remains: will students use it?" They'd BETTER use it! LEAVE YOUR CARS AT HOME already, people!
October 18, 200816 yr Though these buses are obviously an improvement over the current vehicles, some students wonder whether the cost - around $1 million per vehicle - was worth it. As sophomore Sheila Sengupta sees it, "That's a ridiculous amount of money. They could use that to revamp something else, like the roads." Gee, a $1 million for a new road might buy as much as a few hundred feet worth. And I guess Sheila's not aware that new, conventional transit buses cost up to $400,000. These are much larger, articulated and more efficient, so they'll save RTA in operating costs over the long-term. And Sheila, not everyone wants to drive or can afford to drive on those precious, pricey roads. But something tells me Sheila doesn't have an appreciation of how much things actually cost. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 18, 200816 yr Comments like these make me reconsider wanting to leave NYC. I just can't live in a culture where people are so attached to cars.
October 18, 200816 yr She's a CWRU student. I'll bet my 401k (haha) that she has a trust fund, a BMW and not a clue how much her education is costing her parents. As for you jpop, move here and help become the change you want. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 18, 200816 yr Gee, a $1 million for a new road might buy as much as a few hundred feet worth. And I guess Sheila's not aware that new, conventional transit buses cost up to $400,000. These are much larger, articulated and more efficient, so they'll save RTA in operating costs over the long-term. although i agree that this is money well spent, i think the article reinforces the education gap that exists within the general public regarding transit costs - whether it be the cost to buy buses, or the amount of of each fare that goes toward providing operating service. imo, 1 million can and does sound like a lot of money if you aren't aware of the details involved of operating a transit bus for 12 or 14 years in cleveland and if you have never bid out a road construction project.
October 18, 200816 yr Well, I finally was able to ride one on the new vehicles...and I think I was in a stretch limo. :) I really think they are worth the "$1 million" of mostly FEDERAL money...very comfortable, (still smells new!), smooth ride, huge, and of course, unique. Payment is going to be confusing for a while. Apparently, RTA hired 20+ people who will go around and check for "proof of purchase" after Oct. 26. But I believe this was talked about before.\ Overall though, they really spur excitement for the area and I was happy to get to ride one before I leave. Here's to hoping they stay nice!
October 19, 200816 yr Was at CSU yesterday and last night. In the evening (between 5:30 and 7 pm) I saw the buses running, but they didn't appear to be following the schedule. There were three vehicles running 5-10 minutes apart followed by considerable gaps. According to the schedule, it was supposed to be every 20 minutes. I walked up and down Euclid between Public Square and E.17th a couple of times during that time frame. BTW, when will the ticket machines in the stations be operational?
October 20, 200816 yr So this morning my 32 bus finally took Euclid, though it had been announced the change for 32 would not take place for another week! Still no new 32 schedules at Tower City station, etc. Guess the "technology" had been added to the 32 as it was supposed to be by today for the 7 and 9 after all. I've been waiting something like two years for our bus to change to Euclid, ever since I was amazed to hear it from a GCRTA person and then found there was a question about it. Following so many details during construction, and so frequently driving and walking around Euclid for so many months, what I saw was naturally no surprise of any kind, so I'll just briefly mention it was a bit dark to really get the true sense of the change this a.m. (nor did I have a window seat) and, more important, we were right behind a 6 bus and crawled along for many blocks when the 6 kept stopping. Didn't get the "quick-and-efficient," speedy image I was seeking. Even the driver expressed this to me when I was gettin off and mentioned they must have gotten their act together for the 32 to use the route a week earlier than expected.
October 20, 200816 yr Without speaking for jerry or jetdog, I would assume the 32 running on Euclid at a snails pace behind a 6, is due to the fact that the 6, 32 and any other bus is running on an old schedule not the "live" healthline schedule. So your experience might not be representative of how the system will run in a few weeks.
October 20, 200816 yr lafont, are the other routes running in the bus only lanes? and do you know if they will continue to once the healthline opens?
October 20, 200816 yr Can anyone explain why the traffic signal pattern at E6th & Euclid is so complicated for such a small 3-way intersection? I can't really discern a pattern and it's fairly frustrating. I don't think I'm the only one to experience this -- jay walking seems to be rampant here and I've already seen 3 or 4 separate instances of people simply walking straight out into on coming traffic.
October 20, 200816 yr Can anyone explain why the traffic signal pattern at E6th & Euclid is so complicated for such a small 3-way intersection? I can't really discern a pattern and it's fairly frustrating. I don't think I'm the only one to experience this -- jay walking seems to be rampant here and I've already seen 3 or 4 separate instances of people simply walking straight out into on coming traffic. I'd love to know the reasoning as well. I detest jaywalkers, but to be quite frank i do it all the time at this intersection. They make you wait an absurd amount of time to get a cross signal. One day I decided to time it. After 4 minutes I gave up and crossed (still was saying don't walk). Seriously. Sit in your chair and time 4 minutes... it's a lot longer than you think it is, and an unreasonable amount of time to expect someone to stand at an intersection.
October 20, 200816 yr lafont, are the other routes running in the bus only lanes? and do you know if they will continue to once the healthline opens? Yes, the 32 is now running in the transit lane, and I read the 7 and 9 are also. Hence, the many 32 stops this a.m. Needless to say, we weren't picking up anyone right behind the 6 though, technically, someone on our bus, which came from the suburbs, could have wanted to exit on Euclid (I don't think anyone did 'til around CSU). Hopefully a new BRT schedule will alleviate this, but if they're to run every five minutes many hours a day it would seem we'd be right behind a BRT very frequently!
October 20, 200816 yr Can anyone explain why the traffic signal pattern at E6th & Euclid is so complicated for such a small 3-way intersection? I can't really discern a pattern and it's fairly frustrating. I don't think I'm the only one to experience this -- jay walking seems to be rampant here and I've already seen 3 or 4 separate instances of people simply walking straight out into on coming traffic. This is common throughout the project, but there at E 6 especially. Walk signs don't come on when they really should. You'll wait through several cycles of the traffic light and it never says walk, even when there's no earthly reason not to. This undermines the push against jaywalking because it seems like gratuitous holdup. Also, having each intersection be 24-hr No Turn On Red seems unnecessary. Turning from a sidestreet into the car lane of Euclid doesn't involve the middle bus lanes at all. Neither does turning off of Euclid. These lights are extra-long, and enforcing No Turn on Red at late-nite deserted interesections breeds unhealthy contempt for the system. Plus, forcing people to sit when they could go exacerbates rush hour bottlenecks.
October 20, 200816 yr Can anyone explain why the traffic signal pattern at E6th & Euclid is so complicated for such a small 3-way intersection? I can't really discern a pattern and it's fairly frustrating. I don't think I'm the only one to experience this -- jay walking seems to be rampant here and I've already seen 3 or 4 separate instances of people simply walking straight out into on coming traffic. This is common throughout the project, but there at E 6 especially. Walk signs don't come on when they really should. You'll wait through several cycles of the traffic light and it never says walk, even when there's no earthly reason not to. This undermines the push against jaywalking because it seems like gratuitous holdup. Also, having each intersection be 24-hr No Turn On Red seems unnecessary. Turning from a sidestreet into the car lane of Euclid doesn't involve the middle bus lanes at all. Neither does turning off of Euclid. These lights are extra-long, and enforcing No Turn on Red at late-nite deserted interesections breeds unhealthy contempt for the system. Plus, forcing people to sit when they could go exacerbates rush hour bottlenecks. Wait, isn't the purpose of the system, to have timed lighting? I don't see the problem, but then again, I've only driven from downtown to Univ. Circle four times, so it didn't seem like a problem to me.
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