I don't know why they don't just sell to First Energy. Their rates are no longer lower than First Energy's. I don't believe CPP even owns their poles anymore. 

CPP owns many of their poles. I couldn't give you a percentage though.

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/13203046/detail.html

RTA Cleans up Station for 80,000 Riders

 

CLEVELAND -- Every week about 80,000 Rapid riders use the RTA redline and pull into the Puritas station on Cleveland's west side.

 

5 On Your Side Troubleshooter Joe Pagonakis said they find crumbling, rusty, molding conditions, and at times, trash everywhere. He said riders must navigate steps that are reminiscent of old world Greek ruins, because the escalators are broken, rusting relics.

.....

Problem is, they aren't maintaining the new stations they built. Geez, why doesn't RTA get some corporate sponsors for their stations and have the corporate employees do community service work tidying up the place. And with the corporate sponsorships, RTA could make more costly/complicated repairs.

That's good, but if RTA doesn't stay on top of the new station, it won't be long before it falls apart, too.  That's what happened to W. 25th before, finally, RTA spent some fix-up $$ a few years ago... I thought Puritas was online to have been fixed up long ago...

 

... and it still remains what, if anything, RTA is going to do with the "temporary" pre-fab building at Brookpark after a promising TOD plan fell apart a few years ago.  It seems JoeC & Co. aren't really motivated to do much of anything here.

 

 

Jesus God, speaking of new stations, that thing at W117th is the worst thing I have ever seen.  Did they mistakenly built a shrunken Applebee's and place it at the base of the Rapid?  Absolutley horrendous to say the very least.  The old stop with its curving shelters and 1970's'ish signage along W117th was infinetly more appropriate for an urban mass transit station as poorly upkept as it was.  I could have done without the streetside parking obviously, but it's still there.

Jesus God, speaking of new stations, that thing at W117th is the worst thing I have ever seen.  Did they mistakenly built a shrunken Applebee's and place it at the base of the Rapid?  Absolutley horrendous to say the very least.  The old stop with its curving shelters and 1970's'ish signage along W117th was infinetly more appropriate for an urban mass transit station as poorly upkept as it was.  I could have done without the streetside parking obviously, but it's still there.

 

Ouch! ... I too actually liked some of the 50s-60s style old CTS stations, like the one at Univ Circle; even the old Windermere stop, before it became a rat-trap.  I guess designers feel all that curving concrete style is dated and now, like W. 117th, they're going pseudo retro, in part attempting to capture the look of RR stations of yore... in some cases, they're not doing such a grand job.  All in all, though, I'll take ours over some of the other new ones I've seen in other towns; like Baltimore's outdoor stations (double yuck!!).

Jesus God, speaking of new stations, that thing at W117th is the worst thing I have ever seen.  Did they mistakenly built a shrunken Applebee's and place it at the base of the Rapid?  Absolutley horrendous to say the very least.  The old stop with its curving shelters and 1970's'ish signage along W117th was infinetly more appropriate for an urban mass transit station as poorly upkept as it was.  I could have done without the streetside parking obviously, but it's still there.

 

Ouch! ... I too actually liked some of the 50s-60s style old CTS stations, like the one at Univ Circle; even the old Windermere stop, before it became a rat-trap.  I guess designers feel all that curving concrete style is dated and now, like W. 117th, they're going pseudo retro, in part attempting to capture the look of RR stations of yore... in some cases, they're not doing such a grand job.  All in all, though, I'll take ours over some of the other new ones I've seen in other towns; like Baltimore's outdoor stations (double yuck!!).

 

I agree.  I pray they don't do that crap on the shaker lines.

The only Shaker lines station facing a planned replacement is Lee Road on the Blue Line (Van Aken), at least that I'm aware of. East 116th needs a major facelift, though.

The only Shaker lines station facing a planned replacement is Lee Road on the Blue Line (Van Aken), at least that I'm aware of. East 116th needs a major facelift, though.

 

79, 93 (the flood zone) also need help. 

 

Now that the trees on shaker Blvd have filled in, I wish RTA would upgrade the lighting signage on green line stations as they are very creepy at night - Horror/slasher movie creepy.

The only Shaker lines station facing a planned replacement is Lee Road on the Blue Line (Van Aken), at least that I'm aware of. East 116th needs a major facelift, though.

 

79th is getting its platform repoured, that's about all i know.

The only Shaker lines station facing a planned replacement is Lee Road on the Blue Line (Van Aken), at least that I'm aware of. East 116th needs a major facelift, though.

 

I thought there was some UO speculation, a year or so ago, that E. 116 would be modified in tandem with what, originally, was planned at St. Luke's Pointe -- that is, the main hospital building would have been converted into condos with adjoining townhouses facing or close to the RTA station... now that St. Luke's Pointe project is struggling and has been drastically scaled back, I'm not sure that'll happen (or whether it was anything beyond spec to begin w/)...

 

BTW I read last week that those newer 60s Brutalist buildings to the west of the now-empty main St. Luke's hosp building are being torn down and that social services agencies are slated to occupy with the main building with some kind of housing component -- if someone knows more, correct me...

See: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=7181.30

 

Go down about 80% of the page.

^proves my memory was pretty accurate.

does anyone have historical information on how long it took to get from downtown to the airport on the train in 68?  78?  88?  vs. today?

 

i was riding to the airport last week, and the train kept stopping, then starting, then slowing down, etc.  there was only 1 stretch where it feels like the train gets up to a good, smooth speed closer to the airport. 

 

i am just curious if there has been any signal, track or other improvements that have helped to reduce the current 25 minute trip and if anything is planned in the future.  it seems that the proof of purchase system may allow them to shave a few minutes off the schedule as the trains won't have to wait at unattended stations for riders to "dip" their farecards.

 

if we aren't going to see an expansion of the rail system, i'd like to see some improvements on the total trip time.

does anyone have historical information on how long it took to get from downtown to the airport on the train in 68?  78?  88?  vs. today?

 

i was riding to the airport last week, and the train kept stopping, then starting, then slowing down, etc.  there was only 1 stretch where it feels like the train gets up to a good, smooth speed closer to the airport. 

 

i am just curious if there has been any signal, track or other improvements that have helped to reduce the current 25 minute trip and if anything is planned in the future.  it seems that the proof of purchase system may allow them to shave a few minutes off the schedule as the trains won't have to wait at unattended stations for riders to "dip" their farecards.

 

if we aren't going to see an expansion of the rail system, i'd like to see some improvements on the total trip time.

 

I think when RTA put that ridiculous train spacing system on line it extended times 2/3 on the red line and 1/2 minutes on the TC to 79 St. portion of the Blue/Green lines.

 

I think the station work cause delays, but I'm speculating.

 

 

I rode the Red Line a few weeks ago (between Puritas and Tower City), and yeah, the train did seem to slow down a lot.  Although I think it was because N&S was doing some maintenance work on their right of way for a stretch (a lot of track-riding construction equipment), and combined with construction at the W.117th station, our train had to switch over to the westbound track between the Triskett and W.98th stations.

 

I rode the rapid again this past Tuesday.  The trip didn't seem as slow that time around.

 

What I'm wondering about is if they're going to do anything about the fare-collection systems at these stations.  Having riders pay as they get on the train just slows things down even more.

it looks like the RTA Citizens Advisory Board webpage is updated.  it has a better listing of meeting dates, membership, past resolutions and meeting agendas and minutes.   

 

http://www.riderta.com/CAB/

When I was a kid in the 70s, RTA always advertised it was a 20 min run to the airport.  Then, we went thru a horrible slew of accidents on both heavy and light rail and the decision was made to put the new, high-tech cab signal system on which automatically is supposed to stop and slow trains when they're too close to the one in front... It seems like there's been nothing but trouble from the git-go w/ this system, aside from the fact of its gigantic expense for a system of low/mod ridership... In fact, in the 80s when this system was installed, the PD -- which was notoriously anti-RTA in those days, had banner headlines about how slow the new signal system had made the Rapid... and the Downtown-Airport run crept up to 25 minutes, scheduled.  What is it now, 27 minutes?  ... wow, that's progress!!

 

My Two Sense is right, the 'improved' signal system seems the main culprit for slowing trains... Add to that the piss poor training of RTA drivers -- ours are the worst I've seen in the nation.  How many times have you felt like you were going to lose your lunch because some Rapid driver slams on the brakes, often due to these signals stopping trains (w/ that loud beep-beep-beep from the cab)... I'm no expert, but I know they shouldn't slam the breaks on like that -- our drivers lay hard on the brakes even when coming into stations.

 

So it's an all around problem.  RTA must not train its drivers properly cause I've spent many hours on systems in cities NYC, Chicago, among them, that are much more heavily traveled than ours, yet their drivers don't drive in such a clueless manner...

 

About the worst incident was, a few summers ago, when a Shaker LRT Waterfront bound train actually missed the switch and started heading toward the Red Line bridge toward the airport.  I was actually scared this woman was going to crash us.  Of course slammed on the brakes then called, panicky, until the tower could get her to back us up into Tower City so we could then proceed to the WFL.  And if this happened to me who, for years since changing jobs and is a more infrequent rider -- imagine the horror stories w/ the 5-day/week commuters...

When I was a kid in the 70s, RTA always advertised it was a 20 min run to the airport.  Then, we went thru a horrible slew of accidents on both heavy and light rail and the decision was made to put the new, high-tech cab signal system on which automatically is supposed to stop and slow trains when they're too close to the one in front... It seems like there's been nothing but trouble from the git-go w/ this system, aside from the fact of its gigantic expense for a system of low/mod ridership... In fact, in the 80s when this system was installed, the PD -- which was notoriously anti-RTA in those days, had banner headlines about how slow the new signal system had made the Rapid... and the Downtown-Airport run crept up to 25 minutes, scheduled.  What is it now, 27 minutes?  ... wow, that's progress!!

 

My Two Sense is right, the 'improved' signal system seems the main culprit for slowing trains... Add to that the piss poor training of RTA drivers -- ours are the worst I've seen in the nation.  How many times have you felt like you were going to lose your lunch because some Rapid driver slams on the brakes, often due to these signals stopping trains (w/ that loud beep-beep-beep from the cab)... I'm no expert, but I know they shouldn't slam the breaks on like that -- our drivers lay hard on the brakes even when coming into stations.

 

So it's an all around problem.  RTA must not train its drivers properly cause I've spent many hours on systems in cities NYC, Chicago, among them, that are much more heavily traveled than ours, yet their drivers don't drive in such a clueless manner...

 

About the worst incident was, a few summers ago, when a Shaker LRT Waterfront bound train actually missed the switch and started heading toward the Red Line bridge toward the airport.  I was actually scared this woman was going to crash us.  Of course slammed on the brakes then called, panicky, until the tower could get her to back us up into Tower City so we could then proceed to the WFL.  And if this happened to me who, for years since changing jobs and is a more infrequent rider -- imagine the horror stories w/ the 5-day/week commuters...

 

You're such a drama queen!  :-P  :roll:  :roll:  LOL

 

I remember that 20 Minute advertising (Airport to DT) or 10 (DT to Univ. Circle).  I  don't remember a "slew" of accidents though.  The only accidents I remember are accidents in which, drivers (on van aken) try to "beat the light" and end up running into a train.  What slew of accidents are you referring to??

 

I think the drivers here are good, try riding in San Fran, LA, Atlanta or Houston.  In Houston or Atlanta, they might just drive past your stop.  The situation about changing the signal can happen anywhere, I've been on the 2/3 or A/C train here in  NYC and they will say "next stop on this F train is York street", the next thing I know we're at High Street Brooklyn bridge.  The Chicago trains jerk & stop more than our lines, especially the Brown, Red & Purple section going north from the loop, IMO.  You can understand RTA drivers, they speak English and can enunciate and pronunciate!

 

I think the Shaker drivers are more alert than the Cleveland drivers as they are "at grade", shaker square going east and need to be aware of the traffic lights and car drivers.  But, I disagree with you that they are poorly trained or to speculate that they are.  Have you ever been a RTA rail driver?  It like one of them saying you're poor at your job.  It wouldn't be fair or accurate assessment, right?

 

I suspect the system, is the cause of the jerks, abrupt stops, and yes that loud beep-beep-beep is annoying as hell!  Thank God the Shaker drivers can override the system at 79 street.  It seems like RTA has the system set that once you hit 46(maybe 56) miles an hour it kicks in.  In between some stations you can get a nice lil clip, then bam...your crawling.  I do think the station rehabilitation projects also plays a part of the slow down.

^I don't know, MTS, have you ridden on the WFL lately?  Have you ever gone down that ramp from Tower City down to the Flats where the driver's jerked people, literally, to their knees (during the few times there're WFL crowds)?  I have and I sure don't get that in other cities; at least those old time places where, unlike the DC Metro, drivers actually drive the trains... I do remember after the rash of RTA crashes in the late 70s, early 80s, that a FTA (or whatever the Fed transit agency was at the time) issued a report saying RTA rail drivers were the worst trained anywhere.

 

... and while I know Cleveland gets unfairly picked on nationally by bogus 'studies', my own personal observation leads me to believe this one had some substance and, I'd be willing to bet, the expensive, train-slowing signal system install, was designed to counter RTA's poor driver  training -- or at least the perception, thereof.

^I don't know, MTS, have you ridden on the WFL lately?  Have you ever gone down that ramp from Tower City down to the Flats where the driver's jerked people, literally, to their knees (during the few times there're WFL crowds)?  I have and I sure don't get that in other cities; at least those old time places where, unlike the DC Metro, drivers actually drive the trains... I do remember after the rash of RTA crashes in the late 70s, early 80s, that a FTA (or whatever the Fed transit agency was at the time) issued a report saying RTA rail drivers were the worst trained anywhere.

 

... and while I know Cleveland gets unfairly picked on nationally by bogus 'studies', my own personal observation leads me to believe this one had some substance and, I'd be willing to bet, the expensive, train-slowing signal system install, was designed to counter RTA's poor driver  training -- or at least the perception, thereof.

 

Actually I don't, I get off the train at TC, But the few times I've taken it to SL, I don't recall such jerking.  Again, what were these "crashes" I can't think of a Red Line accident.  I know the Shaker Lines broke down a bunch just prior to '80.  I'm just hoping you can shed some light on these accidents.

New fare system on the Red Line comes on-line in the next year.

 

Red Line trains are slowing because of NS track resurfacing/tie renewal gangs.

 

And, yes, RTA had a number (several?) of Red Line trains rear-ending another train on blind curves. I can't remember details, but the early 1990s addition of the cab-signal/automatic train-stop system was the result of the accidents.

so could it ever get back to 20 minutes dowtown to the airport?

 

it seems with the "new" cab signal system, it would allow the trains to operate closer to each other, and i assume that this isn't usually a problem unless the trains are running at 5 minute headways.  at 15 minute headways, i would think it would be a rarity to run into the train in front, and with the cab signal system, the train operator should know. 

 

the recent construction on NS might be explain extra slow service, but if it was once 20 minutes, i'd love to see this service and advertising return.

MTS..just a friendly debate...but I don't agree that the RTA operators speak clearly or concisely.  I have had some really poor experiences on the Red line with operators sounding as if they had marbles in there mouthes when announcing the stops..very fast and jumbled.  There have even been times that the operator didn't announce any stops the whole way to TC, either they were talking to a fellow employee through the cab or were just plain lazy.  I was pissed, but OK because I am from here and knew where I was going....imagine a first time rider from out of town!?!?!  I would love to see a Chicago style automated system...at the stop.."This is Triskett....next stop W.117th" in a clearly spoken voice (and maybe some heat lamps on the platforms as well)  but that is just me...

MTS..just a friendly debate...but I don't agree that the RTA operators speak clearly or concisely.  I have had some really poor experiences on the Red line with operators sounding as if they had marbles in there mouthes when announcing the stops..very fast and jumbled.  There have even been times that the operator didn't announce any stops the whole way to TC, either they were talking to a fellow employee through the cab or were just plain lazy.  I was pissed, but OK because I am from here and knew where I was going....imagine a first time rider from out of town!?!?!  I would love to see a Chicago style automated system...at the stop.."This is Triskett....next stop W.117th" in a clearly spoken voice (and maybe some heat lamps on the platforms as well)  but that is just me...

 

I don't disagree that that has happened, its happened to me and when it does, I just right down the train number and the time it arrived at the airport, so RTA can match it up.  I then send a complaint.  I hope you did.  :wink:

 

There are times I've taken a picture of the driver and sent that along with my complaint.

 

Once when a driver made no announcements (I often fall asleep on the train) and I didn't want to miss TC -  I hate transferring at 55 St.), I asked him what happened, and he stated the intercom malfunctioned/shorted and that he reported it, but instead of taking the train out of service he was instructed to drive it TC (the middle track), where it would be taken out of service and all passengers would transfer across to a train waiting.

also, most Shaker trains have the driver's ID listed by his window. If you do take the time to complain, make sure you also compliment the superior operators that they do have.

 

I don't disagree that that has happened, its happened to me and when it does, I just right down the train number and the time it arrived at the airport, so RTA can match it up.  I then send a complaint.  I hope you did.  :wink:

 

There are times I've taken a picture of the driver and sent that along with my complaint.

 

 

I am so glad the conversation steered in this direction. No matter how much we might like to believe that all operators want to do the right thing, and no matter how much we'd like to believe that RTA is on top of any and all operator issues, the fact of the matter is that they won't know about most of them if they are not reported. Any and all buses and trains should have the operator's ID plate, with first name and employee number, clearly displayed. In fact, if you don't see such an item displayed, report that. Use as much detail as possible when reporting issues -- for buses, get the route number (on the overhead display), vehicle number (in multiple places on most buses), and block number (in the lower left corner as you're looking at the front of the vehicle from outside). This combination of information will indisputably identify the operator. It's only through reporting the issues that we can hope for them to be resolved.

 

Also, to echo what pope said, this information can help with submission of compliments as well as complaints.

I just flew into Cleveland to meet my newest nephew and took the rapid to and from the airport.  Compared to the Chicago CTA, I thought the trains went very fast.  Also, the train cars are at least twice as long as their Chicago counterparts.  After being used to the EL in Chicago, my RTA experience was pleasantly surprising.

in fairness, hasn't the el in chicago really lost a step with their recent capital disinvestment campaign?

^A colleague was just telling me that a day doesn't go by in Chicago without one of the lines being down for some reason or another.

After being used to the EL in Chicago, my RTA experience was pleasantly surprising.

 

Or even surprisingly pleasant! ;)

I wonder if signs like this placed strategically throughout the region would get more people to take mass transit :-D:

 

 

 

^I love that. Awesome.

RTA speeds up repairs in wake of train fire

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Sarah Hollander

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

A fire that stopped a rapid-transit train in its tracks last winter will lead to the accelerated replacement of nearly a half-million dollars' worth of parts in 40 RTA train cars.

 

During a morning commute in February, about 55 passengers jumped from a Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority train near the Puritas station on Cleveland's West Side after smoke began filling the cabin.

 

Inspectors blamed the fire on a damaged line breaker installed in 2002. The equipment is attached to the underbelly of Red Line (Airport-Windermere) trains and works like an electric circuit breaker.

 

.........

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1179564131139180.xml&coll=2

A search for 'Cleveland Electric Car' on a Yahoo Pipes aggregator generated the following article from PBS' History Detectives on Cleveland's Electric Street Car System

 

http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/pdf/410_electric_car.pdf

Hey guys-

 

I was wondering what the options are for public transport from the w6-w9 area over to clev clinic/UH/Case

 

I remember hearing theres a Rail line going directly to Shaker Heights, but not sure about rail directly to the University campus

 

Thanks

The Red Line runs from Tower City, just a 5 min walk from the Warehouse District to two stops along the southern edge of University Circle, close to the UH and Case, and about a 10 minute walk to the edge of the Clinic campus.

check the RTA website.

 

To the Clinic you can take the Red Line to Quincy-E. 105 then walk or take the bus to the Clinic

 

To University Hospitals/Case you can take the Red Line to Cedar-University Circle or E. 120 Street.

With all the shuttle buses running in circles around the Clinic's campus, you'd think they would provide shuttle service to and from the Rapid stop on Quincy/E. 105th... maybe some of their employees/patients could suggest it to Dr Cosgrove until the Silver Line is up and running.  That's not a walk I would be feel safe in taking if I got off work at 11 pm.

The #6 and #9X also run from downtown to University Circle along Euclid, which is a pretty slow, bumpy ride right now.

 

If you have a bicycle, you can take that on the Rapid and get off at any of the three University Circle-area stops on the Red Line, then bike to your final destination. I feel safest at the University Circle-Cedar station, which also has free CircleLink bus service. See the map below for the CircleLink route and stops...

 

It's ashame you can't take the Eucild Silver Line yet.  I would ride the Red line to the Cedar stop and walk the 8-10 minutes.  Give it 1.5 more years, and hopefully it will be a nice clean shot with the silver line for you.  I currently use the number 6 a few times a week, which may be another option for you...Goes from Terminal Tower to the clinic, but is often slow (due to construction or heavy traffic) and random with the pick up times. 

Again, I'd take the red line and use the Cedar stop for now as your quickest way.   

the clinic runs shuttles from shaker square.

the clinic runs shuttles from shaker square.

 

I think those are temporary shuttles until the construction is over.

fyi to anyone riding the Rapid this weekend, track maintenance may cause delays:

 

http://www.riderta.com/nu_ridersalerts_list.asp?listingid=833

 

Attention All Rail Riders - Track Maintenance Weekend of 6/9/07 - 6/11/07

 

Due to required track maintenance in the area around Tower City, beginning Saturday, June 9, 2007, at 3:00am, until Monday, June 11, 2007, at 3:30am, there will be no through service at Tower City.

 

All riders will be required to transfer at Tower City in order to continue through trips. This includes:

 

    * Riders on the Red Line from Windermere heading westbound to points west of Tower City

    * Riders on the Red Line from Hopkins Airport heading eastbound to points east of Tower City

    * Riders on the Blue or Green Lines heading westbound to points on the Waterfront

    * Riders on the Waterfront Line heading eastbound to points east of Tower City

 

Supervisors will be on duty to assist riders with making connections for through trips. Riders should allow extra time for any trips through Tower city during this maintenance period.

 

RTA apologizes for any inconvenience to its customers during this time.

could they have picked a more busy weekend (i.e. cavs). See also the repaving of lower prospect between E. 4th and Ontario.

 

Also, I ride the train every day, you'd think they have something posted in the cabooses. (maybe I'm just not paying attention)

I took it last weekend, and it was the slowest it's ever been. I bet we didn't hit 25 MPH for more than 2 minutes at a time.

could they have picked a more busy weekend (i.e. cavs). See also the repaving of lower prospect between E. 4th and Ontario.

 

Also, I ride the train every day, you'd think they have something posted in the cabooses. (maybe I'm just not paying attention)

 

Often they have information in those gray holders by the doors.  although I think they should have postings in each stations. 

 

Note to RTA:  I'm still awaiting the system wide electronic PA system promised when the light rail lines were upgraded!

could they have picked a more busy weekend (i.e. cavs). See also the repaving of lower prospect between E. 4th and Ontario.

 

Also, I ride the train every day, you'd think they have something posted in the cabooses. (maybe I'm just not paying attention)

 

Often they have information in those gray holders by the doors.  although I think they should have postings in each stations. 

 

Note to RTA:  I'm still awaiting the system wide electronic PA system promised when the light rail lines were upgraded!

 

if it has the same quality and clarity as the one in the tower city platform, no thank you.

 

 

could they have picked a more busy weekend (i.e. cavs). See also the repaving of lower prospect between E. 4th and Ontario.

 

Also, I ride the train every day, you'd think they have something posted in the cabooses. (maybe I'm just not paying attention)

 

Often they have information in those gray holders by the doors.  although I think they should have postings in each stations. 

 

Note to RTA:  I'm still awaiting the system wide electronic PA system promised when the light rail lines were upgraded!

 

if it has the same quality and clarity as the one in the tower city platform, no thank you.

 

 

 

Agreed.  If I wanted to listen to Mrs. Donovan, I'd pop in a Peanuts DVD!