Did the automated announcements get pulled from the red line?  Just curious, cause I haven't heard them.

As early as Monday, we will have post cards available for posting on the buses, for our customers to get, sign, add postage, and mail to the Governor requesting State funding for transit.

I have not heard them either, so I believe they are being re-done

i think that people should be going to washington with these letters too. not just columbus.

 

can anyone provide us with a list of people in the FTA? who specifically should we contact ? i looked on the FTA's website and found the regional administrator for our region which is region 4 but i couldnt find any contact info

 

http://www.fta.dot.gov/about/offices/about_FTA_784.html

 

here's the list of phone numbers for the FTA headquarters offices

 

http://www.fta.dot.gov/about/offices/about_FTA_146.html

 

Region V

 

Profile

 

Welcome to FTA and Region 5. We are proud of being part of the FTA and providing excellent customer service to The Central part of the country surrounding the Great Lakes. Organizationally, Region 5 consists of a Regional Office and a Metropolitan Office in Chicago, IL. Currently, the total staff complement is 23. In addition, there are two FHWA staff members (an engineer and a planner) assigned to the Chicago Metropolitan Office. They are co-located with FTA in our office. In 2006, Region 5 provided $1,423,370,947 in federal funding, awarding 428 grants. This funding helped 120 grantees with transportation projects throughout the region. The Region manages 993 active projects that have federal funding amounting to $8.1 billion. We are customer driven, so please feel free to contact us at any time. We look forward to helping you plan, apply, execute, and complete transit projects that enhance the quality of life in your communities.

 

Areas Served: Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan

 

U.S. map with Region 5 areas served highlighted.

 

Contact Information

 

200 West Adams Street

Suite 320

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Telephone: (312) 353-2789

Fax: (312) 886-0351

 

i will be writing/emailing officials, congressman, senators, representatives, bob taft, city council members, RTA, frank jackson and whoever else i can

 

from ohiopublictransit.org

 

State funding for public transit in Ohio has declined from $43.35 million in 2001 to a

projected $18.35 million in 2005. Governor Taft’s budget calls for an additional $4 million

in cuts in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2006/2007.

 

Nationally, Ohio ranks 12th in annual transit trips, but 39th in federal funding per trip

 

                                                                                % Change

                              2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2000-2005

(in millions)

Public Transportation  $43.63  $43.35  $25.34  $21.93  $18.12  $18.35  -57.93%

Highway  $1,791.16  $1,795.46  $1,906.79  $2,131.94  $2,073.63  $2,044.79  14.16%

Administrative Services  $2,040.60  $2,048.18  $2,206.22  $2,389.39  $2,355.37  $2,445.14  19.82%

Education  $6,541.11  $7,111.58  $7,712.23  $8,357.43  $8,611.20  $9,035.50  38.13%

 

i looked at the whole PDF and ohio is the only state in our region to see state transit funding DECREASE from 1995-2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

thanks to jerry for the info on requesting state funding. do you know if there will be a petition we can sign anywhere? i know there was one at the meeting but i couldnt attend

Some replies from elected officials:

 

FROM STATE SEN SHIRLEY SMITH'S OFFICE:

I am writing in response to an email our office recently received regarding your concerns with public transit. As you may know, The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) projects a $20 million deficit in 2009, if no changes are made. However, no decisions have been made yet. I encourage you to attend one of the public meetings RTA has planned to further discuss the situation. Public meetings are scheduled for:

 

 

 

• Aug. 4, 6 p.m., Don Umerley Civic Center Memorial Hall, 21016 Hilliard Road, Rocky River.

 

 

 

• Aug. 5, noon, Cleveland Public Library auditorium, 325 Superior Ave., Cleveland, and 6 p.m. at Cleveland City Hall, Room 220, 601 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland.

 

 

 

• Aug. 6, 6 p.m., Cleveland Heights Community Center, 1 Monticello Blvd.

 

 

 

• Aug. 7, 6 p.m., Brooklyn Senior Community Center, 7727 Memphis Ave.

 

 

 

Those who can't attend a meeting can e-mail comments by Aug. 18, or mail them to RTA Marketing and Communications Dept., 1240 West Sixth St., Cleveland, OH 44113.

 

 

 

Please know that this office is looking into this situation and researching any possible alternatives. Thank you again for your email, and if there would be any other issues or concerns you might have, please feel free to contact our office again.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

[senator Smith's office]

 

FROM US SEN SHERROD BROWN'S OFFICE:

Thank you for sharing your support for public transportation. The continued development of mass transit is an important issue for Ohio.

 

Investment in public transit has many benefits and can pay immediate dividends. These transportation systems can reduce traffic congestion, are an affordable alternative in a time of high gas prices, and provide a mode of travel to those who are unable to drive. Public transportation is also an important factor in energy conservation. Transportation accounts for 66% of United States oil use and by increasing our reliance on public means of travel, we can conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

I will continue to support meaningful, responsible investment in public transportation across our state. Thank you again for writing.

 

 

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown

 

Tubbs Jones statement, via Cleveland Leader:

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6315

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones attended one of the recent meetings the RTA is holding regarding proposed cuts to service and today released this statement on the matter:

 

"While I understand the budget concerns of RTA, my greatest concerns are for those whose only means of transportation is our public transit system such as the disabled and low-income residents of our community," said Rep. Tubbs Jones. "Additionally, with the issues of rising fuel costs, traffic congestion, and global warming and its affects on our environment, it is important that we do all we can to ensure that the rapid transit, bus, circulator and especially our Paratransit systems continue to provide services to the people of this community.

 

"Local, state and federal elected officials along with RTA must come back to the table and work to figure out a solution to this critical issue that will be acceptable to all involved. RTA will be extremely important as we work to strengthen our infrastructure in Northeast Ohio. I plan to do all in my power to see that we keep out transit system solvent and operating at full capacity."

 

^hey tubbs, get off of your azz and bring home the bacon.

Cheers to the Wshington Post!  :clap:

 

What is it with Bush appointees to USDOT?  First Mineta and now Peters...both seem to have any shred of good sense sucked out of their brains before taking the job. :wtf:

 

Or, in the words of Wisconsin DOT Sec. Busalacchi: "They drank the Kool-Aid." :drunk:

 

 

This is the page DoT gives for contact info:

http://www.dot.gov/contact.html

However, they seem to try to make it hard by only accepting hard-copy letters and saying that if you don't specify an agency within DoT, they won't be delivered. I guess one could just address it to the Secretary of Transportation, I don't know...? Also, one could call the phone number.

It's hard to argue with these cuts..

No question.  The irony of increasing demand for transit & rail at a time when state & federal support is so low borders on the absurd...made more so by all the yapping about the need for energy conservation by some of the very politicians who have done little or nothing to properly fund more and better transportation choices.

 

I feel for Joe C. and the difficult choices he and his staff have no choice but to make. 

"thanks to jerry for the info on requesting state funding. do you know if there will be a petition we can sign anywhere? i know there was one at the meeting but i couldnt attend "

 

We collected the names of people at the hearing, and our Citizens Advisory Board had a petition there for you to sign. Now, I believe we would rather have the power of 500 letters than one letter signed by 500 people.

The Toledo Blade has a major story today on the Euclid project.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/NEWS16/78160778

 

^ Already posted it on the Euclid Ave Corridor thread. 

It's hard to argue with these cuts..

 

 

Really?

 

The line costs about $625,000 a year to operate and maintain ... RTA says it expects to save $314,243 by cutting service hours on the Waterfront Line.  -- PD

 

... or $861/day.  Doesn't seem to make much of a dent in a $20M shortfall, esp when the service derives as many dividends as WFL, even with its current low ridership (which appears to be growing of late).

 

 

 

 

 

 

^look at it this way, do you have a magic want to fix a 20M shortfall in the budget in one fell swoop? (an answer that does not involve more money from the Feds/State) If nothing else changes, its going to take a smattering of route cuts, fare increases, etc.

It's hard to argue with these cuts..

 

 

Really?

 

The line costs about $625,000 a year to operate and maintain ... RTA says it expects to save $314,243 by cutting service hours on the Waterfront Line. -- PD

 

... or $861/day. Doesn't seem to make much of a dent in a $20M shortfall, esp when the service derives as many dividends as WFL, even with its current low ridership (which appears to be growing of late).

 

It's probably an overused phrase, but the journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step. In addition, the cut to the Waterfront Line is not absolute, as service will be maintained for Browns games and other special events (the likely sources of that apparent growing ridership).

 

I, for one, look forward to being around when increased East Bank and lake shore development has people clamoring for a public transit alternative.

It's hard to argue with these cuts..

 

 

Really?

 

The line costs about $625,000 a year to operate and maintain ... RTA says it expects to save $314,243 by cutting service hours on the Waterfront Line.  -- PD

 

... or $861/day.  Doesn't seem to make much of a dent in a $20M shortfall, esp when the service derives as many dividends as WFL, even with its current low ridership (which appears to be growing of late).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pennies add up.. if the ridership isn't there, why continue with the status-quo simply because of "potential."  It's not like they're tearing the tracks up.. Once the FEB is up and moving, then increase the service.

RTA postpones decision on service cuts

Posted by Plain Dealer August 13, 2008 18:50PM

Categories: Top Story

 

ROADELL HICKMAN/PLAIN DEALER FILE PHOTO

Karolyn Blunkall of Westlake holds up a sign at a public hearing on proposed RTA service cuts. She was unhappy with the proposal. Service for RTA bus No. 49 would be discontinued under the plan.RTA has delayed a recommendation to reduce bus service and raise fares because of public outrage and a possible bailout by the state.

 

......

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/plaindealer/2008/08/rta_postpones_decision_on_serv.html

^A "bailout by the state"... Are we supposed to thank them?

 

How about a drastic increase in state funding for public transit that we've been begging for?!?!  How about the 1300% increase in funding that is necessary just to match MICHIGANS per capita spend on public transit....... someone stop the room from spinning.

 

But that is good news.  No service cuts with a moderate fair increase is acceptable to me!

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1218702659151340.xml&coll=2

 

RTA's decisions on service cuts, fare increases put on hold

Public's passion for circulators surprises manager

Thursday, August 14, 2008

James Ewinger

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

RTA has delayed a recommendation to reduce bus service and raise fares because of public outrage and a possible bailout by the state.

 

.....

"To tell you the truth, I underestimated the passion about the circulators," he said."

 

I've only used the things a few times, but even *I* know the better-used Circulator routes are the bread-and-butter of their respective neighborhoods. :wtf:

good news

The question of the week is, with state transit funding so low, why are so many CMAQ dollars unspent at NOACA and other MPOs?!?!?! We're they waiting for a crisis like this??

 

Can you document that?

No, I cannot. To get a full scope of the CMAQ picture at Ohio MPOs and ODOT will require a lot of hours I don't have.

Keith Dailey, spokesman for Gov. Ted Strickland, said the governor tried to increase direct state subsidies this year and next, only to have the measures stall in the legislature.

 

I think Strickland is pro transit, as to how much, it's yet not clear.  But we need to target the state legislators who block transit fund increases for letter-writing campaigns and even supporting opposition candidates.  This is beyond absurd in the teeth of an oil crisis.  The Bush/Taft mentality needs to be swept from office.

 

:whip: :whip: :whip: :whip:

TheGuv, congrats on your pending appointment to the GCRTA's Citizens Advisory Board!

I'd just like to thank the driver of the 9:39 Shaker/Green westbound rapid who closed the doors inches from my face and drove away oblivious to my and other passenger (who were already on) yells and protests.  I really did feel like coming to work even later than I already was.

At what station was this? Was it departing that station at 9:39 a.m.?

yeah.  Leaving the Shaker/Green westbound at 9:39am.  Man oh man was I pissed

yeah.  Leaving the Shaker/Green westbound at 9:39am.  Man oh man was I pissed

 

contact RTA!

only about the 10th time we've discussed this circumstance.

nah, it's not worth it.  I just wanted to vent

well in that case....

 

Dear Diary....

The driver has to keep on schedule.  You can wait all day at some of those stops just to get the next guy.

i understand that.  but i was literally inches away and there was no way the driver didn't see me AND didn't hear the passengers yelling at him to stop the train.  it was either a huge brainfart or a big f you to me.

nah, it's not worth it.  I just wanted to vent

 

Excuse me, but it's ABSOLUTELY worth it... in a distributed system like this, it's often the best way to quickly find out where problems exist, and correct them/head them off before they get entrenched as acceptable behavior.

 

I haven't had as many issues with the rail, but then I tend to be more of a bus user, and I have a great working relationship with the Transportation Manager out of our Hayden Garage. When I was out there attending to another user's issue one day, I stopped in to say hello one day, and mentioned that I hoped I wasn't being too much of a nuisance with the issues I was reporting. The response I got was, "keep 'em coming".

 

Okay, I'll get off the soapbox now... and the details of your situation from this morning have been routed to the Rail District Transportation Manager (this time)...

Hey, I appreciate that JetDog

Hey, I appreciate that JetDog

 

No problem, that's why we're here; and just to let you know, he did respond back to me saying the incident would be investigated and a "common sense" reminder issued to all operators...

While you're here Jet, I have a Q. Where do the requirements for train operators go in terms of cell phones and iPods while they are operating the train?

While you're here Jet, I have a Q. Where do the requirements for train operators go in terms of cell phones and iPods while they are operating the train?

 

In a nutshell, such devices, whether equipped with a headset/hands-free device or not, are absolutely forbidden... PLEASE report violations of this policy, as such behavior definitely presents a safety concern.

Again, why were these funds untapped? And how much more CMAQ funding remains untapped in the NOACA region? I'd love to know if we're leaving money on the table at the end of the fiscal year......

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/08/rta_4_other_systems_in_line_fo.html

 

RTA, 4 other systems in line for $10.5 million in federal funding

Posted by James Ewinger August 15, 2008 21:02PM

 

Two committees of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency will recommend that the planning agency allocate $10.5 million in federal funds to the five area transit agencies.

 

......

RTA news

 

Aug. 19, 2008

 

Update on RTA proposals

 

CLEVELAND – Today, during a special Committee meeting, Board members of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) directed the staff to prepare a plan with short-term and long-term options to combat a projected $20-million deficit in 2009.

 

A tentative timetable

 

Sept. 9 – This is Board’s regular Committee meeting. Discussion of a draft plan will begin.

 

Sept. 12 – The regular monthly Board meeting for the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) will be held. The NOACA Board is expected to approve $10.5 million in federal funds to transit systems in a five-county region. It is not yet known how much of those funds will go to RTA, which provides about 93 percent of the transit in the NOACA area. The NOACA Board is acting at the direction of Gov. Strickland. The funds are called Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ).

 

Sept. 23 – This is RTA’s regular Board meeting. The Board may vote on the plan that day, or call a special meeting after NOACA determines the fund distribution.

 

Early November – The plan would take effect.

 

Short-term options

 

Once increased funding from NOACA is set, RTA can greatly modify its original proposals for a 50-cent fuel surcharge and 10 percent-12 percent service reduction.

 

General Manager Joe Calabrese says RTA may submit a plan to the Board that includes:

· A 25-cent fuel surcharge to begin in November. By law, the Board must approve any fare change.

· Minimal service reductions, on those routes where ridership is very low. The Board does not have to approve service changes.

· Internal savings of up to $2.9 million. This includes a hiring freeze, a wage freeze, a large reduction in travel expenses, a five percent decrease in administration positions in 2009, and another five percent decrease in 2010.

 

Long-term options

 

“The NOACA funds are a temporary fix,” Calabrese says. “They will allow RTA to continue with no major service cuts until after July 1, when the new two-year State funding cycle takes effect. If there is not a significant increase in State funding in that cycle, we know that there we will need to add an additional fuel surcharge, and institute major service reductions in fall 2009.”

 

The State must work with public transit to find a long-term dedicated source of funding. Calabrese serves on a statewide Task Force that is looking at that issue.

 

“The process to identify this funding source is far from complete, but it has begun,” Calabrese says.

 

 

Good news, or at least "better news."

I was disappointed to notice a lack of communication from RTA on route changes.  Quite a few routes will have schedule changes effective Monday, but the usual Flier announcing new time tables is not on any busses I have been on.  (Instead there is a notice for us to send postcards to the governor).  I know cancelling 1 bus (as they did on a route I frequesnt) and moving times 5-10 minutes or so may not seem like a big deal, but we riders need to know about it.  The last bus of the night on my route will be moved up 10 minutes.  If I did not happen to go to riderta.com looking for something else, I may not have known and missed the last bus and been very late, maybe stuck on a slow bus like the 75x with KJP.  Hopefully this does not happen to many riders.

EagleFan, the flier you are seeking is now in the RTA print shop, and will be distributed shortly. Yes, it is later than usual, and we sincerely apologize. The changes have been on the Web site for a few weeks, have been distributed to all media, and have been included in two e-newsletters. I encourage you to be a subscriber to the newsletters.

Thanks JMasek.  I will sign up.  The articles in the paper have not mentioned changes.  The latest article above has this quote, which pretty much contradicts the fact route changes were already finalized weeks ago:

"For now, the transit agency is likely to make some minor adjustments and tweak some routes, Calabrese said."

The articles in the paper have not mentioned changes.

 

Sun Newspapers did. We put the list in our papers twice.

 

The latest article above has this quote, which pretty much contradicts the fact route changes were already finalized weeks ago:

"For now, the transit agency is likely to make some minor adjustments and tweak some routes, Calabrese said."

 

This is what irks me about some people. You weren't paying attention to see/hear that the proposals to raise fares X amount and cut Y number of routes were just that -- proposals. So you thought that RTA officials had already made up their minds, that the plan was "finalized"??

 

Now that RTA has listened to the feedback -- that people would rather see their fares raised than service cut, and a short-term cash infusion was provided because the people turned out en masse -- they are adjusting their proposals. So you said RTA officials are contradicting themselves??

 

Just when I thought I've seen/heard it all......

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1195

 

RTA ridership up 6 percent in July