I've heard ideas of taxing lot owners the full value of the air rights above the lot.  If the height limit is 200 feet, they could be taxed for let's say 20 floors.  Not sure how realistic this sort of thing is, but I would love to see it.

At the very least, I'd like to see the tax rate for land go up, and for improvements go down.

Bill Peirce ran for Ohio governor in 2006 with implementing a land-value tax on his platform but no one noticed.

^I was told it was a signaling problem while I was on the platform at Tower City.  The poor RTA worker giving the news was really heckled by the people waiting there.  Then my train experienced "mechanical difficulties" and was stopped for about 10 minutes somewhere past the w.65th station

 

I was stuck between E. 34th & TC for about 20 minutes.  The operator said there was no electricity at TC.  This was the first such delay I've had in a long time, so I can't really complain.  The timing was just bad for a number of reasons, but what can you do?

Re: the parking. By zoning laws, a City can regulate, restrict, or abolish parking in a given area. I am not sure such zoning can be retroactive. In other words, no new parking lots can be established, but one is already up, it can stay.

I was stuck between E. 34th & TC for about 20 minutes. The operator said there was no electricity at TC. This was the first such delay I've had in a long time, so I can't really complain. The timing was just bad for a number of reasons, but what can you do?

I feel your pain.  I was stuck this morning between W117 and West Blvd for 45 minutes.  Just to rub salt in the wounds, the train behind us crossed over and passed us.  If only I had been running even later!

 

I used to take the train every day and was only stalled a handful of times over 6 years or so. 

The Volunteer Action Committee of the Citizens Advisory Board has posted the agenda for the meeting this Friday, Sept 5 at 8:30am at RTA's headquarters.

 

It looks like there will be a presentation on the Transit Waiting Environments project that will be rolling out to a number of bus stops in the near future.  http://www.riderta.com/CAB/docs/VAC_Agenda_200809.pdf

 

The following excerpt is in a Browns article on Cleveland.com. 

 

Browns Insider: Secondary knows it's the primary concern against talented Cowboys

by Tony Grossi

Thursday September 04, 2008, 8:11 PM

 

Ride the rails: Because of new federal regulations, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) can no longer operate special "football flyer" bus service to home games. Fans can still park free at most RTA rail stations, ride the Rapid into Tower City, and take the Waterfront Line to Browns Stadium.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2008/09/browns_insider_secondary_knows.html

 

 

Can anyone shed light on what the new federal regulations are?

 

I saw this blurb in a Browns article on Cleveland.com.  Can anyone shed light on what the new federal regulations are?

 

Ride the rails: Because of new federal regulations, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) can no longer operate special "football flyer" bus service to home games. Fans can still park free at most RTA rail stations, ride the Rapid into Tower City, and take the Waterfront Line to Browns Stadium.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2008/09/browns_insider_secondary_knows.html

 

It basically has to do with the RTA competing against private bus companies.  The new rule doesn't allow RTA (or other transit agencies) to offer special services that don't exist outside of events, the rationale being that transit agencies may unfairly be competing against private operators, who could be providing this service.

 

EDIT:  Here is an article discussing the details of the new rule  and the impact in Seattle: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004404873_metro10m.html?syndication=rss

 

Here is the text of the new rule, adopted in January 2008:

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-86.pdf

I saw this blurb in a Browns article on Cleveland.com. Can anyone shed light on what the new federal regulations are?

 

Ride the rails: Because of new federal regulations, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) can no longer operate special "football flyer" bus service to home games. Fans can still park free at most RTA rail stations, ride the Rapid into Tower City, and take the Waterfront Line to Browns Stadium.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2008/09/browns_insider_secondary_knows.html

 

It basically has to do with the RTA competing against private bus companies. The new rule doesn't allow RTA (or other transit agencies) to offer special services that don't exist outside of events, the rationale being that transit agencies may unfairly be competing against private operators, who could be providing this service.

 

Okay, I'm a moderate politically speaking so I don't vote with a specific party, but I have to say "Thanks a lot dubya" for this one. :(

Putting the politics aside -- isn't getting people to the stadium via the red line/wfl the more logical way to do it anyway, and I'm guessing more cost effective for RTA?

I'm generally not the kind of person that likes to laugh at the misfortune of others. But that being said, I needed a laught this week. Yesterday evening on the way out of work I could not help but laugh at what I saw on the waterfront line. It looked to me like a tractor trailer was driving east on the south marginal, decided he was going the wrong way, so he tried to do a U-turn and somehow ended up with half his truck up on the waterfront line tracks between the Muni lot and E 9th. There were half a dozen cops standing around giving dirty looks to the truck driver who had to have felt like the biggest schmuck.

What, no pictures???

^Sorry, no pictures. My cell phone's memory is full with pictures of my kids.

Kids... Schmids....

September 5, 2008

 

NOACA Board to Consider Emergency Funding for Public Transit Agencies

 

Cleveland—Transit agencies in Ohio and across the United States are in financial crisis due to drastic increases in operating costs, including diesel fuel, and decreases in federal, state and local revenues. Many are considering cutting service and increasing fares.

 

To help deal with the crisis, the governor of Ohio asked the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) in Ohio to examine their balances of federal funds, particularly congestion mitigation/air quality (CMAQ) funds, to see if some could be used to address this emergency. CMAQ funds are used to improve traffic congestion and air quality and were considered a possible solution because if transit service were reduced, congestion would increase and air quality would suffer.

 

As the MPO for Northeast Ohio, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) developed a preliminary estimate of its available or uncommitted funds, especially CMAQ funds. The NOACA staff and several of its advisory committees met and determined that approximately $11.2 million of CMAQ funds could possibly be used to assist the urban and rural transit systems in its five-county area. The Governing Board will consider approving the following distribution of funds at its September 12 meeting:

·        Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority          $9,031,793

·        LAKETRAN                                                        $1,000,000

·        Lorain County Transit                                            $645,431

·        Brunswick Transit Authority                                    $38,103

·        Geauga County Transit                                          $136,643

·        Medina County Public Transit                                $305,174

 

“It’s important to understand that any emergency solution will only be temporary,” says Howard R. Maier, NOACA executive director. “This one-time infusion of funds won’t solve the underlying problem. This situation has arisen due to the chronic underfunding of public transit.”

 

For this reason, the resolution that the Governing Board will consider recommends that metropolitan planning officials, state officials and transit officials work together to create a long-term transit funding strategy for Ohio that Governor Strickland can act on.

 

NOACA has added information about this issue to its Web site, including a page for the public to offer comments (http://www.noaca.org/commentassist.html).

 

The Governing Board will also consider adding 12 new projects to the transportation plan and to the State Fiscal Years 2008 – 2011 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is the comprehensive, four-year listing of federal-aid highway, transit and bikeway projects scheduled for implementation in NOACA’s five counties (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina). Each of the five counties has at least one project among the 12. They can be viewed on NOACA’s Web site at http://www.noaca.org/91208projplan.html.

 

The Governing Board meeting will be held on Friday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the University of Akron Medina County University Center, 6300 Technology Lane, in Medina (please note the change in location from the usual Board meetings). The Governing Board agenda is included below.

 

For more information, call Gayle L. Godek, Communications Specialist, at 216-241-2414, ext. 283; or Steve Jones, Associate Director of Divisional Services, at ext. 352.

 

*          *          *

 

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is a transportation and environmental planning agency that represents state, county, city, village, and township officials. NOACA addresses the transportation, air quality, and water quality needs of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties. NOACA and its partners cooperatively develop and implement plans to ensure that travel throughout the region is safe, cost-effective and environmentally sound.

 

#

 

NORTHEAST OHIO AREAWIDE COORDINATING AGENCY

Friday September 12, 2008  10:00 A.M.

University of Akron, Medina County University Center

6300 Technology Lane, Medina, Ohio 

 

                                                                        B O A R D  A G E N D A

 

                                                                                                                                                                        Page

  1.  Welcome:  Medina County Board of Commissioners   

  2.  Minutes of August 8, 2008 Governing Board Meeting                                                                                2‑ 1

  3.  Committee Reports                                                                                                                                    3- 1

 

·        Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

 

·        Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)-Water Quality Subcommittee

 

·        Transit Council

 

4.    Public Involvement Comment                                                                                                                    Oral

 

5.    Financial Report                                                                                                                                      5- 1

 

Out of State Travel Requests                                                                                                            5- 4

                                                                                                                                               

 

6.    President’s Report/Executive Director's Report                                                                                        Oral

 

7. Resolutions:

 

2008-025 Project Planning Reviews-First Quarter Fiscal Year 2009                                                          7-01

 

2008-026 Transportation Plan/Transportation Improvement Program Amendments                                  7-23

 

2008-027 Proposal To Help Ease Transit Authorities’ Financial Crisis                                                      7-31

 

2008-028 Condolences to the Family of Stephanie Tubbs Jones                                                                7-32

 

2008-029 Appreciation to Carla Cefaratti                                                                                                7-33

 

  8. Old Business

     

9. New Business

 

10.  Staff Reports:

 

        a.  Virginia Ainslie’s Washington Update                                                                                                  10- 1

 

        b.  Transportation Improvement Program Monitoring Report                                                                    10- 9

 

        c.  Planning and Programs Division Update                                                                                                Oral

 

        d. Regional Transportation Investment Policy Update                                                                                Oral

 

        e.  NOACA A t Work in Medina County Newsletter                                                                        To be provided

 

It basically has to do with the RTA competing against private bus companies.  The new rule doesn't allow RTA (or other transit agencies) to offer special services that don't exist outside of events, the rationale being that transit agencies may unfairly be competing against private operators, who could be providing this service.

 

It's almost as if public transit might actually be used as an alternative to private transit or something. :roll:

Jerry,

 

Isn't RTA jumping the gun a tad by ending the Browns' shuttles?  As I understand from the (somewhat muddled) Seattle Times article, per the new FTA rule: the public transit agency would be barred only if it solicits and gets a private carrier to offer the service, but that if nobody bids after the solicitation, the transit agency may continue the special shuttle-bus service... am I reading this wrong?  Shouldn't RTA 1st try and bid out the service before simply yanking it?  Whether a private carrier or RTA, fans just want a stress free alternative to driving and the Rapid seems overburdened as it is, and not convenient to everybody... Now some fans are going to be left out in the cold.

BTW, you all may be interested to know that Cleveland officials have asked RTA police to ease up in writing tickets along the Euclid Corridor as it may be hurting business. I understand there's going to be an article about this in an upcoming issue of the PD.

Isn't RTA jumping the gun a tad by ending the Browns' shuttles? As I understand from the (somewhat muddled) Seattle Times article, per the new FTA rule: the public transit agency would be barred only if it solicits and gets a private carrier to offer the service, but that if nobody bids after the solicitation, the transit agency may continue the special shuttle-bus service... am I reading this wrong? Shouldn't RTA 1st try and bid out the service before simply yanking it? Whether a private carrier or RTA, fans just want a stress free alternative to driving and the Rapid seems overburdened as it is, and not convenient to everybody... Now some fans are going to be left out in the cold.

 

A few comments:

 

1. Our legal staff looked at the regs closely. The penalty for breaking this rule is fairly harsh, and it is not worth the risk.

 

2. The Indians flyers were cut several years ago, and the Browns flyers were already in jeopardy. Two reasons -- low ridership and the length of the games. No matter how many people ride the bus, you have to pay an operator to sit there for 2-3 hours, then make a single trip back. That's the same reason why some schools are cutting back on field trips -- too expensive.

 

Thanks for your comments.

BTW, you all may be interested to know that Cleveland officials have asked RTA police to ease up in writing tickets along the Euclid Corridor as it may be hurting business. I understand there's going to be an article about this in an upcoming issue of the PD.

www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1220787018210320.xml&coll=2

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/09/rta_didnt_know_about_its_contr.html

 

RTA didn't know about its contractor's ties

 

Posted by Joel Rutchick and Sandra Livingston, Plain Dealer

 

Perk Co., owned by Anthony and Joseph Cifani, was primary contractor on this stretch of the Euclid Corridor project. McTech Corp., owned by Mark Perkins and Joseph Cifani's wife, provided much of the concrete. And TTL Meadows Group, a joint venture in which Mark Perkins' sister and Anthony Cifani's wife had a financial interest, tested the quality of the concrete

 

.....

 

Survey: Public transit pressures could hurt riders

 

By Emily Bazar, USA TODAY

 

Cash-strapped public transit systems are cutting services and raising fares even as more Americans ditch their gas-guzzling cars for trains and buses, a survey of transit agencies out Tuesday finds.

 

.....

 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/2008-09-08-Transit-woes_N.htm 

 

 

Anyone know why one of the Euclid Corridor BRT vehicles would have been pulled over on the shoulder of 90 just before to Deadmans Curve.

 

Also, not sure if anyone else saw it, but RTA put in one of its new bus shelters at the corner of 6th and Superior

Also, not sure if anyone else saw it, but RTA put in one of its new bus shelters at the corner of 6th and Superior

 

I assume there is a new bus shelter there because that is part of the downtown transit zone.

Also, not sure if anyone else saw it, but RTA put in one of its new bus shelters at the corner of 6th and Superior

 

I assume there is a new bus shelter there because that is part of the downtown transit zone.

 

Yep, there are also new ones over towards my hood (Ave Dist).

Also, not sure if anyone else saw it, but RTA put in one of its new bus shelters at the corner of 6th and Superior

 

I assume there is a new bus shelter there because that is part of the downtown transit zone.

 

Yep, there are also new ones over towards my hood (Ave Dist).

 

Very cool, the only one i had previously seen was the one outside the law building at CSU.

Also, not sure if anyone else saw it, but RTA put in one of its new bus shelters at the corner of 6th and Superior

 

I assume there is a new bus shelter there because that is part of the downtown transit zone.

 

Yep, there are also new ones over towards my hood (Ave Dist).

 

link to transit zone map!

http://euclidtransit.org/maps/Transit-Zone.pdf

 

Don't you just love the internet?  :wink:

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1203

 

Sept. 9, 2008

 

“Due to intervention by Gov. Strickland, RTA now has the opportunity to defer for 10 months painful cuts in service, which would have been damaging to our customers and to the entire community, while we continue in our efforts to educate the legislature on the importance of a dedicated and adequate funding plan for public transit across Ohio. If the State does not increase funding for transit in the upcoming budget, next September, RTA will be forced to make all the service reductions and fare increases we talked about at the public hearings. Our customers no longer have to write or call us... we heard you, loud and clear. Now, we need our customers to direct their energies toward their State legislators. They will make the decisions that affect our future.”

-- Joe Calabrese, RTA CEO & General Manager

 

* * * * * * * * * *

RTA staff proposes fuel surcharge, some service reductions

 

CLEVELAND – The staff of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) today outlined a greatly revised proposal to the Board of Trustees to help the transit system resolve a projected $20 million budget deficit in 2009. The project deficit is caused by rising diesel fuel costs and a 63 percent reduction in State funding.

 

The original proposal was outlined before 2,000 persons in seven public hearings last month. RTA received more than 1,000 letters.

 

The revised proposal includes:

* $9.0 million in federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds, which must be officially approved on Sept. 12 by the Board of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), at the request of Gov. Strickland. Due to federal restrictions, only about 70 percent of these funds can be used to cover the increase in diesel fuel costs.

$4.8 million from a 25-cent fare increase (fuel surcharge) that takes effect Nov. 2. The Board is expected to vote on this issue Sept. 23.

 

* $1.6 million from a 5 percent reduction in administrative positions. This includes savings from a wage freeze, a hiring freeze, and reductions in travel.

 

* $4.0 million from reduced diesel fuel costs, based on a decline in fuel prices over last 60 days. RTA budgeted fuel at $4.10 per gallon, but that has now dropped to $3.45 per gallon.

 

* $4.0 million from service reductions on underperforming lines. The reductions take effect Nov. 2. This list is about one-third of the $12 million original proposal.

 

Short-term solution

 

“We sincerely appreciate the intervention of Gov. Strickland to help find additional funding,” says RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese. “We all realize this is a short-term solution, a band-aid on a much larger problem.”

 

“The real answer is to find a dedicated funding source for increased State funding, and to place more money for transit in the next two-year budget cycle, which begins July 1, 2009,” Calabrese says.

 

Fuel surcharge

 

The original proposal was for a 50-cent fuel surcharge.

 

Under the staff proposal, RTA would increase all cash fares by 25 cents, deferring the remaining 25 cents until September 2009, depending on funding for transit in the upcoming State budget.

 

Effective Nov. 2, 2008:

* All 5-trip farecards would go up $1.25.

* The popular All-Day Pass would rise from $4.00 to $4.50.

* All 7-day “flex” passes would rise by $2.50.

* A Bus/Rapid monthly pass would increase from $63 to $76.

* A monthly Park-N-Ride pass would rise from $70 to $85.

 

Limited service reductions (based on the staff proposal)

 

These routes would be eliminated, effective Nov. 2, 2008:

#36, #42, #86F, #145R

 

Service on these routes would be reduced on Nov. 2, 2008:

All Community Circulators would operate on a 60-minute frequency.

#4, #7X, #9X, #11, #13

#20A, #24, #39, #41A/C, #45Y/R, #52

#70, #75X, #86, #87F, #88X, #96F, #145Y

the Waterfront Line

 

If additional State funding is not received, these routes will be eliminated in September 2009:

All Community Circulators

#18, #33, #43, #46, #49, #68

 

If additional State funding is not received, service on these routes will be reduced in Sept 2009:

#5, #32X, #76X, #83, #90F

 

The next steps

 

Sept. 12 – The NOACA Board meets to formally approve additional funding, including funding for Lorain County to pay for RTA service to Avon Lake on the #55F, and for Medina County to pay for RTA service on the #451 to Brunswick. What happens next on those routes has not yet been determined.

 

Sept. 23 – The RTA Board votes on the fuel surcharge. The RTA staff will finalize the service reductions. Full details will appear on rideRTA.com, and in customer publications, e-news and Riders Digest.

 

Nov. 2 – The fuel surcharge and service reductions take effect.

 

July 1, 2009 – The next two-year State budget cycle begins.

 

September 2009 – More service reductions, and an additional fuel surcharge, may take effect if there is not sufficient State funding.

 

www.cleveland.com/realtimenews/index.ssf/2008/09/rta_staff_proposes_25cent_fare.html

 

Surcharge, smaller service cuts proposed for RTA

 

Posted by James Ewinger September 09, 2008 12:41PM

 

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority staffers are recommending a 25-cent fuel surcharge and a 3 percent reduction in service on some lines to take place in November.

Wow, I scooped even Jerry Masek! (Note the time that this was posted on Cleveland.com -- of course, Jerry helped me scoop Jerry)......

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/westsidesunnews/2008/09/rta_proposes_smaller_fare_hike.html

 

RTA proposes smaller fare hike, service cuts

Posted by Ken Prendergast September 09, 2008 12:07PM

Categories: Breaking News

 

Bus and train riders will likely face smaller fare increases and service cuts this fall based on the recommendation this week by a transit agency board committee.

 

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority trustees will vote Sept. 23 on whether to accept the recommendation to increase local cash fares from $1.75 to $2, reduce service on 26 routes and eliminate four bus lines. The changes would become effective Nov. 2.

 

 

........

^They shouldn't count on the recent the fuel price fall being anything but temporary...

I was thinking the same thing as I typed that. The new "normal" is an upward trend is fuel prices. Find a way to capitalize on it.

So the fare goes up $.25, but the monthly pass goes up $13/$15?  Why the reduction in the monthly pass discount?  ou'd think the most frequent riders would not have to bear the greatest increase in cost.  People who ride to and from work every business day on a park and ride will pay 12.5% more if they pay cash, but 21.5% more if they use the monthly pass.

So the fare goes up $.25, but the monthly pass goes up $13/$15? Why the reduction in the monthly pass discount? ou'd think the most frequent riders would not have to bear the greatest increase in cost. People who ride to and from work every business day on a park and ride will pay 12.5% more if they pay cash, but 21.5% more if they use the monthly pass.

 

Because they can.  the same way that some magazine subscriptions go up every year, even though new subscribers are lured in at a much lower rate, or how my rent keeps rising every year even though new renters could rent the same apartment for significantly less.  Businesses gouge their best customers because they are their best, most reliable source of revenue.  But it does feel like being punished for being a customer, doesn't it?  I have cancelled subscriptions when they wouldn't adjust me down to the "new subscriber rate" I'd seen advertised in an insert, and just started picking the magazine up at the library instead.  Carrying cash every day just so I can save money will be a giant PITA but I'm irritated enough by these discrepancies that I will do it.

^Who says carrying cash will save you money?  Yes, the two amounts have gone up by different percentages, but for most people who ride enough to make the monthly pass worth it, it will still be cheaper, just a little less cheaper.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/09/rta_didnt_know_about_its_contr.html

 

RTA didn't know about its contractor's ties

 

Posted by Joel Rutchick and Sandra Livingston, Plain Dealer

 

Perk Co., owned by Anthony and Joseph Cifani, was primary contractor on this stretch of the Euclid Corridor project. McTech Corp., owned by Mark Perkins and Joseph Cifani's wife, provided much of the concrete. And TTL Meadows Group, a joint venture in which Mark Perkins' sister and Anthony Cifani's wife had a financial interest, tested the quality of the concrete

WHEN THE PERK CO. replaced the independent lab testing the quality of the concrete on the Euclid Corridor project last year, the contractor turned to a company with close family ties.

 

But nobody bothered to tell top officials of Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority that the wife of Perk's majority owner had a financial interest in the new testing firm - one of many tentacles connecting the Cifani and Perkins construction businesses.

I wonder if this happens during construction of the Convention Center, if the county will be given a pass.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/09/rta_didnt_know_about_its_contr.html

 

RTA didn't know about its contractor's ties

 

Posted by Joel Rutchick and Sandra Livingston, Plain Dealer

 

Perk Co., owned by Anthony and Joseph Cifani, was primary contractor on this stretch of the Euclid Corridor project. McTech Corp., owned by Mark Perkins and Joseph Cifani's wife, provided much of the concrete. And TTL Meadows Group, a joint venture in which Mark Perkins' sister and Anthony Cifani's wife had a financial interest, tested the quality of the concrete

WHEN THE PERK CO. replaced the independent lab testing the quality of the concrete on the Euclid Corridor project last year, the contractor turned to a company with close family ties.

 

But nobody bothered to tell top officials of Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority that the wife of Perk's majority owner had a financial interest in the new testing firm - one of many tentacles connecting the Cifani and Perkins construction businesses.

I wonder if this happens during construction of the Convention Center, if the county will be given a pass.

 

What has this got to do with the RTA Thread?  Let stick to the subject.

Have they gotten a pass? I seem to recall a PD article calling RTA out on the contracting. If you want to echo their chastising, go right ahead.

 

For me, I don't know enough about what happened to advance a discussion on it.

MTS - Thanks for the input.

 

KJP - The article is posted above.  Essentially the quality control contractor and the general contractor were one in the same.  Huge mistake by RTA.  The "inspections" and testing of the concrete cannot be relied on.  It may end up being a non-issue if the concrete holds up, but I think money was probably spent on a quality control inspection that was bogus, unfortunately.

I saw the article, but one article doesn't tell me enough to form an opinion.

Hi there.

 

Just wanted to report that the new fare machine for the rapid on W117 wouldn't recognize my newer state quarters, then it wouldn't recognize any of the normal, older quarters either. 

 

Scott in Lakewood

So what did you do?

Jerry/JetDog,

 

I just listened to the recent City Club forum online entitled "Cleveland Plus: Turning the Corner" regarding transportation and infrtastructure. I couldn't help but notice that RTA was not a part of this forum. Was RTA invited to speak here? Just curious, as I personally see this omission a bit of a travesty and a missed opportunity.

Isn't RTA jumping the gun a tad by ending the Browns' shuttles? As I understand from the (somewhat muddled) Seattle Times article, per the new FTA rule: the public transit agency would be barred only if it solicits and gets a private carrier to offer the service, but that if nobody bids after the solicitation, the transit agency may continue the special shuttle-bus service... am I reading this wrong? Shouldn't RTA 1st try and bid out the service before simply yanking it? Whether a private carrier or RTA, fans just want a stress free alternative to driving and the Rapid seems overburdened as it is, and not convenient to everybody... Now some fans are going to be left out in the cold.

 

A few comments:

 

1. Our legal staff looked at the regs closely. The penalty for breaking this rule is fairly harsh, and it is not worth the risk.

 

2. The Indians flyers were cut several years ago, and the Browns flyers were already in jeopardy. Two reasons -- low ridership and the length of the games. No matter how many people ride the bus, you have to pay an operator to sit there for 2-3 hours, then make a single trip back. That's the same reason why some schools are cutting back on field trips -- too expensive.

 

Thanks for your comments.

I saw all kinds of RTA coaches after the Browns' game last night, I presume shuttles to various park n rides just like prior years.

I assume the extra amount of RTA coaches was because the rapid wasn't running.  I went down to tailgate for the game and didn't want to drive so I figured I would take a ride into the city.  When I was leaving around 7:30 I was told "rather ignorantly" that they were not running and they wouldn't before some time and walked off.  I bet there was a lot of people from the burbs that were not happy to hear that.  On top of that on my way down a group of about 150 of us waited for an hour because some crazy guy was running on the west bound tracks in TC.  Not a good transit day. 

Isn't RTA jumping the gun a tad by ending the Browns' shuttles? As I understand from the (somewhat muddled) Seattle Times article, per the new FTA rule: the public transit agency would be barred only if it solicits and gets a private carrier to offer the service, but that if nobody bids after the solicitation, the transit agency may continue the special shuttle-bus service... am I reading this wrong? Shouldn't RTA 1st try and bid out the service before simply yanking it? Whether a private carrier or RTA, fans just want a stress free alternative to driving and the Rapid seems overburdened as it is, and not convenient to everybody... Now some fans are going to be left out in the cold.

 

A few comments:

 

1. Our legal staff looked at the regs closely. The penalty for breaking this rule is fairly harsh, and it is not worth the risk.

 

2. The Indians flyers were cut several years ago, and the Browns flyers were already in jeopardy. Two reasons -- low ridership and the length of the games. No matter how many people ride the bus, you have to pay an operator to sit there for 2-3 hours, then make a single trip back. That's the same reason why some schools are cutting back on field trips -- too expensive.

 

Thanks for your comments.

I saw all kinds of RTA coaches after the Browns' game last night, I presume shuttles to various park n rides just like prior years.

 

Those coaches were there because wind-related issues (a downed tree on the Blue Line, downed CEI power lines) disrupted rail operation. They were NOT shuttling to the Park-N-Ride facilities.

Ahh, thanks for the info.  Kinda glad I did not use RTA for the game.  I used the Red Line for the Dallas game.

RTA Board meets Tuesday, Sept. 23

 

CLEVELAND – The Board of Trustees of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the Main Office Building, 1240 W. Sixth St.

The Board will consider resolutions to:

· Award a $1.6 million three-year contract to provide management services for the Paratransit inventory stores.

· Authorize a $270,000 contract to prepare a strategic plan that updates RTA’s long-range plan for the next 5 years.

· Spend $106,000 on a video camera system for new fare vending machine locations.

· Spend $148,700 to upgrade and expand the video recorder system at Tower City.

FUEL SURCHARGE:

· Because Board members want more time to review this issue, they will not vote Tuesday on a proposed 25-cent fuel surcharge.

· The Board will hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. Oct. 14, before the regularly scheduled Committee meeting, to consider that resolution.

· If the Board approves a fuel surcharge on Oct. 14, it will take effect on Oct. 27.

SERVICE REDUCTIONS:

· Staff is finalizing the proposed service changes.

· Those are expected to be released Sept. 23, and take effect Nov. 2.

 

I just listened to the recent City Club forum online entitled "Cleveland Plus: Turning the Corner" regarding transportation and infrtastructure. I couldn't help but notice that RTA was not a part of this forum. Was RTA invited to speak here? Just curious, as I personally see this omission a bit of a travesty and a missed opportunity.

 

Joe Calabrese was invited, but he had a previous commitment in Columbus (for the state funding issue). The City Club asked another transportation official (ODOT?) to sit on the panel, and Joe was offered an open Friday several weeks ago to state his case to the City Club.