I'll bet they run. When there's an ice storm, RTA often keeps trains running overnight to prevent ice from building up on the wires. At least that's what they did in the past.

 

EDIT: By the way, I just drove in to work to do overnight election coverage. I avoided the interstates, which proved to be a smart thing. One of our other reporters said I-480 was horrible. Yet I was able to make 35 mph on Hilliard, Dover Center and Lorain -- despite the downed tree limbs, wires, power outages and otherwise crappy road conditions.

I'll bet they run. When there's an ice storm, RTA often keeps trains running overnight to prevent ice from building up on the wires. At least that's what they did in the past.

 

I still have a bad one from last year fresh in my memory, where it seemed RTA did nothing of the sort. Trains crawled along at 2mph for they weren't able to draw enough power.

FYI, they are not running this morning. The only way I knew this was because my Mom called me when I was on my way there.  My 10 minute trip was up to 35 minutes by then so I was happy to turn around and go home.

FYI, they are not running this morning. The only way I knew this was because my Mom called me when I was on my way there.  My 10 minute trip was up to 35 minutes by then so I was happy to turn around and go home.

 

It amazes me that the service disruption isn't on the website.  Thats unacceptable.

That's amazing to me as well.  I even checked it when I (finally) got home.  Not everyone watches TV in the morning.  I listen to the radio, and there was nothing on there about it.

That's amazing to me as well.  I even checked it when I (finally) got home.  Not everyone watches TV in the morning.  I listen to the radio, and there was nothing on there about it.

 

Agreed.

 

So what up with the media relations?  What is RTA's protocol when service disruptions occur?

I have been calling RTA over and over. No response. Don't see any 32 buses going westward. Guess I'm going to university circle, hope the 6or 9 are running

RTA is always impossible to reach via phone. Mr masek, that needs to change in addition to updating the website. Both are unacceptable

 

 

Stay warm and safe eparabola.  Let us know if/when you get to your destination.

thanks. Have been on cedar for over anhour. I figure thirty more minutes to uc, thenhope for a Euclid av bus

I heard about the rail issues on NPR this morning, but I figured that if I wanted more info I could just go to the website.  Thankfully, my wife let me have the car today because there was nothing on the site to report!

 

I, too, have had zero luck when calling the RTA help line that's posted at stops and stations.

Actually, this day hasn't really turned out so bad. My dad volunteers at the case medical library so I joined him for a massive breakfast at theuniversity circle atrium and am finally seeing what the hell he does here every Wednesday. Still hope the six or nine  arerunning , though im sure they are.

And as for missing work, eh, a half day is better than nothing at all.  Plus there is wifi here so I can even do some work here ifned be!

update. Took an hour to walk from case medical library (which has an amazing museum) to e. 83 bus stop, which included several unexpected detours. Had to walk on chester part of way. Crazy seeing blocks of Euclid road fenced off with all that snow. Hope it melts soon so they can finish thus project. Took some great photos though hands numb. Got to stop and bus came five min later. Thank god for the heat

 

In hindsight, should have taken redline though not sure how to get there due to detours. RTA bus kwkubg crazy good time, about ten  at most from 83 to 9

couldn't have taken the redline since the trains weren't running.

Are you saying you couldn't find either Red Line stop in UC? I'm not trying to sound critical here but a) there's maps all over b) ask a police man/security c) ask a person on the street

maybe I'm misinterpreting.  I thought redline was just the train.  Is there a bus that's a redline?

Your points are all well made. We have to do a better job of communicating with the public. Here is what happened, as far as I know....and I know because the westbound Red Line train I was on could not get any farther than halfway across the viaduct. It then returned to Tower City.

 

KJP was right. When RTA knows that an ice storm is coming, it runs empty "snow trains" all night to keep the wires hot and clear from ice. Yesterday, even during regular rush hour service (when the wires should have been plenty warm), the ice formed so quickly that trains were stopped on the tracks in various pockets around the system. When the train I was on returned to Tower City, the system was officially shut down (about 6 p.m.?) and shuttle buses were called in. These buses have to come downtown from a garage, and the roads were terrible, so everything took a long time. This was communicated to the TV and radio traffic reporters, to the customers at Tower City, and to the customers waiting at the train stations. I just checked, and all Rapid lines (except Waterfront) are in operation, and the Web will be updated to reflect this.

 

In our defense, decisions were being made quickly, as the weather changed frequently. Notifying the Webmaster was not done, and it should have been.

My train almost didn't make it back last night, we stopped several times.  In the event they just can't keep going, I was curious as to what would happen?  Would we all exit onto the tracks and walk to the next stop or what?  Several of us were wondering aloud at this since it took so long to get where we were going.  The 5:04 didn't even leave til like 5:25 and then it took us a long time to get to brookpark.  Then of course 20 minutes to chip the ice off our cars :)  This is the time of year I really hate living here.  I'm glad I'm going to LA this Saturday, I just hope the planes are flying safely.

"As of 10:45 a.m. March 5, all Rapid lines are operating except the Waterfront Line."

 

This is now posted on the front page of our Web site. I will work with JetDog to keep it updated.

In our defense, decisions were being made quickly, as the weather changed frequently. Notifying the Webmaster was not done, and it should have been.

 

So going forward, and not trying to sound critical, what will be the procedure?

 

If you don't have an answer, thats fine, but if you could put this on the "management to-do" list at the "nations best (large) transit system" that would great.  :wink:

 

The New York MTA and New Jersey Transit as well as several airlines do a great job at notifiy customers via their websites and portable devices (im, email, txt msg'ing).  Is there a chance that RTA could adopt a similar system of communications?

"Are you saying you couldn't find either Red Line stop in UC? I'm not trying to sound critical here but a) there's maps all over b) ask a police man/security c) ask a person on the street "

 

Well, I didn't really know where it was and figured, since I was on Euclid anyway, I could just take a bus.  I didn't see any maps anywhere (didn't even know there were any) and I figured the buses would be running smoothly sincd I could see cars moving on Euclid.  I just didn't realize how long it would take to find a busstop (ironically I had taken the 6 eastbound on Friday, but it's a far different perspective when your sitting on a bus seeing detours rather than actually walking around them)

 

 

My train almost didn't make it back last night, we stopped several times.  In the event they just can't keep going, I was curious as to what would happen?  Would we all exit onto the tracks and walk to the next stop or what? 

 

The supervisors at the dispatch center would make the call. They have 3 TV screens on all times, and all the dispatchers from Transit Police, rail and bus are there.

 

During the "big August blackout" several years ago, many trains were stopped far from stations, especially on the Red Line on the West Side. Operators lowered ladders (every car has one) and helped the customers to the ground. From there, they walked to the nearest station. Vehicles operated by RTA, including Transit Police, used the adjacent access road to transport the elderly and handicapped.

 

Every situation is different. The best advice is not to panic, and not to spread negativity. I was stuck in a train car once with a male customer who enjoyed swearing and complaining loudly for all to hear. He did NOTHING to help the situation, and his lousy attitude just made it worse for everyone. I would have "engaged" him, but that would have resulted in a confrontation that no one would win.

 

Sometimes, working in the public sector means you have to have an advanced degree in biting your tongue.

I agree.  I think the vitriol and sarcastic comments about the best transit system award were worse last night than I've ever heard them.  OBVIOUSLY the weather is bad and nobody's perfect, but nobody on the phones this morning?  Nothing on my radio station?  Nothing on the website?  My train is late leaving about 50% of the time on average. 

I seriously wonder at times how they won an award like this.

 

In addition, making my ride extra special last night was an elderly man who appeared to be a little mentally deficient who was staring at me and fingering his crotch. It's a real joy taking public transit sometimes.

"Are you saying you couldn't find either Red Line stop in UC? I'm not trying to sound critical here but a) there's maps all over b) ask a police man/security c) ask a person on the street "

 

Well, I didn't really know where it was and figured, since I was on Euclid anyway, I could just take a bus.  I didn't see any maps anywhere (didn't even know there were any) and I figured the buses would be running smoothly sincd I could see cars moving on Euclid.  I just didn't realize how long it would take to find a busstop (ironically I had taken the 6 eastbound on Friday, but it's a far different perspective when your sitting on a bus seeing detours rather than actually walking around them)

 

 

 

I'm not 100% sure, but isn't the library on Adelbert?

In our defense, decisions were being made quickly, as the weather changed frequently. Notifying the Webmaster was not done, and it should have been.

 

So going forward, and not trying to sound critical, what will be the procedure?

 

If you don't have an answer, thats fine, but if you could put this on the "management to-do" list at the "nations best (large) transit system" that would great. 

 

The New York MTA and New Jersey Transit as well as several airlines do a great job at notifiy customers via their websites and portable devices (im, email, txt msg'ing).  Is there a chance that RTA could adopt a similar system of communications?

 

Either Chad Self in Media Relations or I will contact the Webmaster, who I believe can post things even from home.

 

RTA is in the process of installing the necessary technical tools you mentioned to notify customers via pagers, etc. It is not yet fully operational.

Either Chad Self in Media Relations or I will contact the Webmaster, who I believe can post things even from home.

 

RTA is in the process of installing the necessary technical tools you mentioned to notify customers via pagers, etc. It is not yet fully operational.

 

Wonderful news!!!! 

 

Are you at a point that you can even give a "teaser" that this information is in the works?  That would be so helpful and curb perception.

Nothing on my radio station this morning...

 

The news cycle hurt us too. This is the day after a major election in Ohio, and the weather and election results dominated the news this morning. The Rapids not running was a footnote added to the TV and radio traffic reports. FYI, RTA carries 5 times more passengers each year than Hopkins...(approx) 57 million vs 12 million...but look at the media attention each receives. As Spock would observe... "that is not logical."

<<Are you at a point that you can even give a "teaser" that this information is in the works?  That would be so helpful and curb perception.>>

 

Obviously, the technology exists, because other systems have it. Joe Calabrese has mentioned this many times in speeches, etc., so it is not a secret. A number of things have to be done first, and we are working on them. That is about all I can say at this time.

FYI, RTA carries 5 times more passengers each year than Hopkins...(approx) 57 million vs 12 million...but look at the media attention each receives. As Spock would observe... "that is not logical."

 

Excellent point, never thought of it that way.

"I'm not 100% sure, but isn't the library on Adelbert?"

 

It's at the intersection of Adelbert/Euclid.

<<I have had zero luck when calling the RTA help line that's posted at stops and stations.>>

 

The RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500, handles more than one million calls a year. The automated attendant is open 24/7. It is staffed by operators from 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays. In bad weather, the customer demand is often greater than phone operator availability. At this point, I can hear you ask "why not just hire more operators?" The same pot of money that pays for telephone operators also pays for bus and rail operators. We could hire enough phone operators so that every call would be answered promptly, but then we would have to reduce the number of bus operators. There are no easy answers.

maybe I'm misinterpreting.  I thought redline was just the train.  Is there a bus that's a redline?

The Red Line is RTA's heavy-rail system. The central station is Tower City. On the West Side, it extends to Hopkins Airport, and many of the parking lots are large. On the East Side, it extends through University Circle and ends in East Cleveland, at the Louis Stokes Station at Windermere. There are no buses named "Red Line", but many buses serve the Red Line stations and customers can transfer there.

<<I have had zero luck when calling the RTA help line that's posted at stops and stations.>>

 

The RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500, handles more than one million calls a year. The automated attendant is open 24/7. It is staffed by operators from 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays. In bad weather, the customer demand is often greater than phone operator availability. At this point, I can hear you ask "why not just hire more operators?" The same pot of money that pays for telephone operators also pays for bus and rail operators. We could hire enough phone operators so that every call would be answered promptly, but then we would have to reduce the number of bus operators. There are no easy answers.

 

Question, Jerry - in cases of *really* inclement weather is there a way to implement a "realtime update" message for people who call in? Something like "RTA Special Announcement - Rapid Trains inoperable due to weather conditions" and THEN the caller gets the regular dialing options?

I believe I have responded to all recent questions except

* "why is there air?" and

* "what is the length of the rail station at E. 105 and Quincy?"

 

I do not know the answer to the first question, and I have called a rail engineer to ask about the second question. When he returns the call, I will pass along the info.

 

And I thought this would be a slow day...

It's at the intersection of Adelbert/Euclid.

 

You could have walked (south, east or southeast or what ever direction that is :?) down Adlebert or East Blvd right to the train station.  In addition, there are plenty of maps and the cirle link bus.

And for future reference, I believe there is a 6 bus stop right at the corner of Adelbert and Euclid.

And for future reference, I believe there is a 6 bus stop right at the corner of Adelbert and Euclid.

 

With euclid being torn up, you have to keep a look out for the orange "temporary stop" signs. Not very easy to spot after a storm like this.

Yeah, I just didn't think it would be that hard finding a 6 bus.  Didn't realize there was a 6 stop at that corner - doh!  But are you sure it would be going Westbound?

For major service interruptions, someone suggested adding an announcement to the automated attendant on the RTAnswerline. I talked to the supervisor there. Yes, we have that capacity, but it cannot be done remotely, and it needs to be removed as soon as the service changes back to normal.

Thanks Jerry. Your participation here is priceless and hopefully your urbanohio "focus group" has helped improve RTA and it's services for all riders.

For major service interruptions, someone suggested adding an announcement to the automated attendant on the RTAnswerline. I talked to the supervisor there. Yes, we have that capacity, but it cannot be done remotely, and it needs to be removed as soon as the service changes back to normal.

 

Jerry, I know it's not one of those "oh just push a button and make it magically happen" things but considering how many headaches it could prevent (if implemented and maintained correctly), I'd say that would be worth looking into. Look at how many people here on the forum- who are generally supportive of RTA - had issues today that could have been resolved with such announcements.

 

And above all, as MTS said - thank you and JetDog both for being here - your participation really helps us understand how things work.

"As of 2:08 p.m. March 5, all rail lines are back in service."

 

This message is now on our home page

Good job on posting the info about the water main break :clap:

I'm sure everyone has been scrambling with the terrible storms, but the brookpark rapid station was really hazardous again today.  To walk from the parking lot to the building you have 3 different places where there are big mounds of snow where it's been plowed (and now frozen) and people have stepped over them so there's only just one footprint/step where you can walk to get over these little hills.  It's icy and they're frozen footprints so it would be pretty easy to fall.  And of course the whole parking lot was ice and snow but I'm sure it's that way everywhere.

I'm sure everyone has been scrambling with the terrible storms, but the brookpark rapid station was really hazardous again today.  To walk from the parking lot to the building you have 3 different places where there are big mounds of snow where it's been plowed (and now frozen) and people have stepped over them so there's only just one footprint/step where you can walk to get over these little hills.  It's icy and they're frozen footprints so it would be pretty easy to fall. And of course the whole parking lot was ice and snow but I'm sure it's that way everywhere.

 

This was passed along to Facilities Maintenance, thanks.

 

The water main break news was posted earlier this morning on our Web site, with a headline and a news alert, fyi.

Responding to a question yesterday....Yes, the platform on the rail station at East 105 and Quincy is about 100 feet long and accommodates only one rail car. It was designed that way. The City of Cleveland is planning to do bridge work there. When that work is done, the platform should be extended. I have no other info at this time.

Just a note to you media-watchers...a TV station this morning said it had an "exclusive" on the senior games coming to Cleveland in 2013, yet it was on Page One of The Plain Dealer. I guess we have a difference of opinion on what the word "exclusive" means.

In response to an earlier post, RTA crews will pay special attention to Brookpark today -  salt, plow and shovel as needed to open up any pedestrian walkways. They will try and get this done before the PM rush.

 

In response to an earlier post, RTA crews will pay special attention to Brookpark today -  salt, plow and shovel as needed to open up any pedestrian walkways. They will try and get this done before the PM rush.

 

 

Thank you! 

Some Days, trip planner is great, some days is not so great, like today.

 

Gripe: It does a poor job of recognizing "St. Clair" You need to type "Saint Clair" Took me 7 different combinations to get it to work. St Clair, St. Clair, St. Clair Ave., St. Clair Ave NE, and finally "Saint Clair Ave NE" worked.