Question: I was trying to plan a couple of trips on the RTA Trip Planner AND on Google Transit, but on both of them, it said this:

 

"Sorry, we don't have transit schedule data for a trip from tower city cleveland to 11141 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106 (Cleveland Institute of Art) at the time and date you specified."

 

I tried several different times, dates, and places, and all of them gave me the same message. What gives?

 

 

I don't know if this is related, but I've noticed that Google Maps no longer shows the next train or next bus times when you click on a bus stop or train stop. I hope it's only temporary, because I thought that it was an awesome feature.

 

The lack of information is completely temporary, and is related to difficulties with getting the most recent data set extracted from our scheduling system. We are working to correct these problems as quickly as possible. Google, unfortunately, only runs weekly updates.

im confused.......when is the actual fare increase as opposed to the fuel surcharge? the surcharge is october 27th, and there are route changes november 9th. is that the same date as the actual fare increase? if you buy passes you wont be required to pay extra for fuel surcharge correct?

 

better yet.....what day will rta be changing the machines to the higher prices

 

 

 

well i sent letters to them already............didnt change the fact rta voted by themselves for the fuel surcharge. elected officials arent gonna do anything

 

guess im gonna have to get a driver's liscense  :x

 

I guess you prefer hyperbole over sound economics. A month-long transit pass will cost $76 (vs. $63 at present). If you drive 10,000 miles per year, that's 833 miles per month. According to AAA, the average cost of driving a car you own is 56 cents per mile. That's $466 per month.

 

Let's see.....  $76 for transit vs. $466 for driving. Hmmm. So you're going to incur a $403 cost increase because you don't want to pay $13 more for transit.

 

Brilliant!

 

i wouldnt be driving 800 miles a day. the month pass is no longer cost effective unless you use it every single day. most people only work 5 days a week so thats $3.80 a day. it would actually be cheaper to use 5-ride cards at $3.50 a day. i dont need to use transportation everyday since i live around most daily conveniences.

 

if i wanted to go somewhere 2 miles down the road, it would be a lot easier and cheaper to drive there. gas is less than $3/gallon now and i wouldnt even use a gallon a day.

Question: I was trying to plan a couple of trips on the RTA Trip Planner AND on Google Transit, but on both of them, it said this:

 

"Sorry, we don't have transit schedule data for a trip from tower city cleveland to 11141 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106 (Cleveland Institute of Art) at the time and date you specified."

 

I tried several different times, dates, and places, and all of them gave me the same message. What gives?

 

 

I don't know if this is related, but I've noticed that Google Maps no longer shows the next train or next bus times when you click on a bus stop or train stop. I hope it's only temporary, because I thought that it was an awesome feature.

 

The lack of information is completely temporary, and is related to difficulties with getting the most recent data set extracted from our scheduling system. We are working to correct these problems as quickly as possible. Google, unfortunately, only runs weekly updates.

 

Good to know .. Thanks JetDog!

im confused.......when is the actual fare increase as opposed to the fuel surcharge? the surcharge is october 27th, and there are route changes november 9th. is that the same date as the actual fare increase? if you buy passes you wont be required to pay extra for fuel surcharge correct?

better yet.....what day will rta be changing the machines to the higher prices

 

There is no fare increase..only a fuel surcharge that most people are calling a fare increase. The base rate + the fuel surcharge = the price you pay.

The fuel surcharge takes effect Oct. 27, the service changes take effect Nov. 9.

Monthly passes will be charged the higher rate as of Dec. 1.

In terms of the proof to payment system, can someone please tell me when they plan to role this out on the Red Line?  I'm getting kind of tired of waiting 5 minutes at Puritas for people to pay their fare at night.

 

Probably in December

There is no fare increase..only a fuel surcharge that most people are calling a fare increase. The base rate + the fuel surcharge = the price you pay.

For clarification, if you buy a monthly pass, there is a fare increase layered on with the fuel surcharge.  Cash fares are going up 12-14%, but monthly passes are going up 20-21%

 

To be fair, if you ride 3 or more rides a day (makes you an above average RTA cutomer), the monthly pass will actually have less of a % increase compared to daily pay riders. 

 

If you ride just twice a day like most riders, you will be paying higher fares on top of the fuel surcharge.  (For instance, Park and Ride users)

If you get the monthly pass through your employer (like I do) it is tax free and probably comes out to be the same price as buying 2 rides a day, but I'm not happy about the percentage difference in the rate hike.  Usually if you purchase products in bulk it's cheaper, not more expensive.

If you get the monthly pass through your employer (like I do) it is tax free and probably comes out to be the same price as buying 2 rides a day, but I'm not happy about the percentage difference in the rate hike. Usually if you purchase products in bulk it's cheaper, not more expensive.

 

Agreed. 

any fare hike is ridiculous. who can i complain to at RTA about this? and why do more frequent riders get hit the most by this i.e. week/month passes

 

with gas prices going down will RTA make these fare hikes permanent if they receive more funding? im not talkin about the fuel surcharge, im talkin about the fare increase/route cuts in november

 

so RTA is raising fires twice in the span of a few weeks?

 

I am not certain I follow either your facts or your logic.

 

RTA is NOT raising twice in the span of a few weeks. A 25-cent fuel surcharge takes effect Oct. 27, and because the price of diesel fuel is locked in a $3.17 for all of 2009, there should not be any more increases or decreases until Sept. 2009.

 

Who can you complain to? You already have. RTA proposed a 50-cent fuel surcharge at public hearings in August. Several thousand people came to the hearings and/or wrote to us. The fuel surcharge was reduced to 25 cents, thanks to Gov. Strickland, who also heard you.

 

The fuel surcharge is not permanent; it will flucuate with the cost that RTA pays for diesel fuel.

 

In the future, it would help if you please clarified your questions.

i wouldnt be driving 800 miles a day. the month pass is no longer cost effective unless you use it every single day. most people only work 5 days a week so thats $3.80 a day. it would actually be cheaper to use 5-ride cards at $3.50 a day. i dont need to use transportation everyday since i live around most daily conveniences.

 

if i wanted to go somewhere 2 miles down the road, it would be a lot easier and cheaper to drive there. gas is less than $3/gallon now and i wouldnt even use a gallon a day.

 

And the less you drive a car you own, the more it costs you per mile. Most costs associated with driving a car you own are fixed costs (financing the purchase, insurance, depreciation). So if you drive it just two miles a day, that's just 730 miles a year. Say your car payments are $200/month, insurance $75/month and depreciation $100/month, that's $4,500 per year. Without even counting gas or maintenance costs, you're paying $6.16 per mile to drive that car just 730 miles a year.

 

Happy motoring!

Don't know if this one's been answered yet.  I bought five 5-ride cards last week and asked the booth attendant at TC if they would still cover 5 rides after the surcharge goes into effect or if I would be required to add a quarter each time I swipe.  She didn't know and it appeared that I wasn't the first one who'd asked her this!  Any updates?

 

Also, is every fare free from October 24-26 or just on the HealthLine?

i wouldnt be driving 800 miles a day. the month pass is no longer cost effective unless you use it every single day. most people only work 5 days a week so thats $3.80 a day. it would actually be cheaper to use 5-ride cards at $3.50 a day. i dont need to use transportation everyday since i live around most daily conveniences.

 

if i wanted to go somewhere 2 miles down the road, it would be a lot easier and cheaper to drive there. gas is less than $3/gallon now and i wouldnt even use a gallon a day.

 

And the less you drive a car you own, the more it costs you per mile. Most costs associated with driving a car you own are fixed costs (financing the purchase, insurance, depreciation). So if you drive it just two miles a day, that's just 730 miles a year. Say your car payments are $200/month, insurance $75/month and depreciation $100/month, that's $4,500 per year. Without even counting gas or maintenance costs, you're paying $6.16 per mile to drive that car just 730 miles a year.

 

Happy motoring!

True, but it is still a cost the vast majority of citizens (including you) are willing to pay for the convenience, comfort, and safety in their transportation needs.

Well as long as people are willing to pay for convenience, comfort and safety http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx, I guess we don't need to address those pesky things like the environment, obesity rates, health care costs, rising fuel costs, depleting fuel resources, etc.

Agree.  All issues that need top be addressed urgently.

I bought five 5-ride cards last week and asked the booth attendant at TC if they would still cover 5 rides after the surcharge goes into effect or if I would be required to add a quarter each time I swipe. She didn't know and it appeared that I wasn't the first one who'd asked her this! Any updates?

Also, is every fare free from October 24-26 or just on the HealthLine?

 

The ribbon will be cut on Euclid Avenue at 3 p.m. Friday, and for the rest of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, all HealthLine service is free. On Sat-Sun, ALL service is free systemwide, thanks to underwriting by the Clinic and UH.

 

New fares take effect with the start of service on Monday. Use what you have in your wallet, they will be accepted, and when you buy new fare media, pay the surcharge. December monthly passes will reflect the higher amounts.

So if you are a five-ride user, stock up now!

So if you are a five-ride user, stock up now!

 

I know a lot of people feel that way, but in the end, you are only hurting yourself. You are reducing (by a small margin), the revenue that RTA needs to operate. The taxpayers are RTA's only source of income, so if you want to give us less, you will get less in return. You may never have looked at it that way, but it's true.

Just kidding around.  I'll buy my monthly pass as always.  (which apparently does not go up until December).  Wouldn't want your paycheck to bounce.  ;)

True, but it is still a cost the vast majority of citizens (including you) are willing to pay for the convenience, comfort, and safety in their transportation needs.

 

Not anymore. My costs are way down because my car is pretty well depreciated, the financing is paid off and I don't drive it as much to keep my maintenance and fuel costs down. If I'm not incurring maintenance costs, I figure my per-month costs of driving my car are about $200 per month.

 

As for the vast majority, do an informal poll and ask them how much it costs them to drive. They'll probably tell you whatever the price of gasoline is at the moment and divide by their car's mileage.

 

In other words, ignorance of the true costs of driving cars we own causes many of us to drive more than we should, and causes households to own more cars than they should.

I am not certain I follow either your facts or your logic.

 

RTA is NOT raising twice in the span of a few weeks. A 25-cent fuel surcharge takes effect Oct. 27, and because the price of diesel fuel is locked in a $3.17 for all of 2009, there should not be any more increases or decreases until Sept. 2009.

 

so the fuel surcharge is in place of the original fare increases that were proposed across the board? what i was getting at is whether the fuel surcharge AND the original fare hikes that were proposed for november 9th i think were BOTH happening. on RTA's site it mentions the service cuts starting november so i assume that passes arent going up in price.

 

 

 

I'm sure the RTA folks are already aware of this, but the elevator at W. 25th Street has been out of order for more than two weeks.  Any reason why it hasn't been fixed yet?  This is not an easy station to climb out of if you're disabled.  And posting a sign on the elevator itself is certainly not the best way to inform a wheelchair rider that they will have to find another way to their destination. 

I think escalators and elevators will forever be a maintenance problem for RTA.  Can;t be an easy job.  Do these get vandalized or is it just a matter of running 19 hours a day and carrying large loads (like Map Boy)?  I saw two guys carrying up a woman in a wheelchair at the Cudell station a few months ago when the elevator AND escalator were not working.

Have the Park and Ride routes (251/451, 263, 246 on the west side) been a good investment for RTA?  Just curious if the cost of the lots and bigger busses has been made up for with enough riders.  I know that some of the riders are former Red Line riders, but i also know of many new riders in my office that take these busses.

RTA is NOT raising twice in the span of a few weeks. A 25-cent fuel surcharge takes effect Oct. 27, and because the price of diesel fuel is locked in a $3.17 for all of 2009, there should not be any more increases or decreases until Sept. 2009.

 

so the fuel surcharge is in place of the original fare increases that were proposed across the board? what i was getting at is whether the fuel surcharge AND the original fare hikes that were proposed for november 9th i think were BOTH happening. on RTA's site it mentions the service cuts starting november so i assume that passes arent going up in price.

 

Fare increases were NEVER proposed. Officially, it was always called a fuel surcharge, but most media, especially broadcast media, called it a fare hike. Oct. 27 is the start of the fuel surcharge and Nov. 9 are the service changes. When you buy a monthly pass in December, you will see the surcharge.

Have the Park and Ride routes (251/451, 263, 246 on the west side) been a good investment for RTA? Just curious if the cost of the lots and bigger busses has been made up for with enough riders. I know that some of the riders are former Red Line riders, but i also know of many new riders in my office that take these busses.

 

The expansion of the lots was financially supported by ODOT, to help accommodate all the riders expected to use public transit when the Innerbelt bridge closed. Now that the bridge traffic is being reduced ahead of schedule, we are seeing even more traffic.

 

The biggest problem with both the Westlake and North Olmsted (starting in two weeks) lots are the lack of service to them (or even close to them) after 6:30 PM.  Many people work late and that is their excuse for not taking the bus on a regular basis.  Personally, i use the train on days I expect to work late, but there have been times something came up and I am left looking for a ride or bailing before the work is done. 

 

Considering the investment in those lots, I'd expect some effort to make them a more useful hub.  (For instance, sending a #55 through Westlake rather then directly to the Westgate Transit Center,  keeping some #75 service to North Olmsted lot, and/or spreading the Park and Ride bus schedule out beyond 6:30.

http://www.riderta.com/ro_paratransit-elevator.asp

 

For better or for worse, this elevator page on the Web site is updated often by people who are in the know for what's up and what's down

The biggest problem with both the Westlake and North Olmsted (starting in two weeks) lots are the lack of service to them (or even close to them) after 6:30 PM. Many people work late and that is their excuse for not taking the bus on a regular basis. Personally, i use the train on days I expect to work late, but there have been times something came up and I am left looking for a ride or bailing before the work is done.

 

Considering the investment in those lots, I'd expect some effort to make them a more useful hub. (For instance, sending a #55 through Westlake rather then directly to the Westgate Transit Center, keeping some #75 service to North Olmsted lot, and/or spreading the Park and Ride bus schedule out beyond 6:30.

 

The lots and service are designed for rush-hour commuters, because that is where most of the ridership is. Perhaps when the State of Ohio allocates more money to transit, service can increase.

http://www.riderta.com/ro_paratransit-elevator.asp

 

For better or for worse, this elevator page on the Web site is updated often by people who are in the know for what's up and what's down

 

Thanks for posting, but how many people intuitively check this page before heading out for a West Side Market run?  I don't know what method would be better... announcing it at Tower City or W. 65th perhaps?  Maybe the conductors do this when the know there's a wheelchair on board?

http://www.riderta.com/ro_paratransit-elevator.asp

 

For better or for worse, this elevator page on the Web site is updated often by people who are in the know for what's up and what's down

 

Thanks for posting, but how many people intuitively check this page before heading out for a West Side Market run? I don't know what method would be better... announcing it at Tower City or W. 65th perhaps? Maybe the conductors do this when the know there's a wheelchair on board?

 

The drivers announced it the first day it was broken but haven't since.

yo that machine in tower city 'VML39' is terrible. i put in several new crisp bills and it wouldnt even take them. after a couple tries i gave up since it took my money before (never got a refund).

thought i'd share a nice story...riding the blue line last night, the train operator, Paul #00122, helped a lady with 2 young kids and a stroller get both on and off the rapid. not sure if this is part of the job description, but it was a very nice thing to do

^ The driver (I forget his name, maybe Bruce?) of my #6 this morning also helped someone with her baby and stroller, both getting on and off, he was very nice about it.

Another nice, personal story.  I will never again ride the #6 :)  Six years of riding and the morphing is complete!

Here lies the #6 bus.....    Let us all bow our heads in a moment of silence....  And then celebrate!!!!!

^Ain't THAT the truth! Or even better, the sentiments expressed at :20 :-D

 

Here lies the #6 bus..... Let us all bow our heads in a moment of silence.... And then celebrate!!!!!

 

Actually, that's just a broken down bus that's going back to the repair shop. It will get redeployed elsewhere on the RTA system.

Jerry,

 

the large Juvenile Justice Center going up a few blocks of the E. 105/Quincy Red Line stop, is progressing quickly.  I know you mentioned the plan was ultimately for RTA to lengthen the platform long enough to accommodate 2 or more cars at once, like the other standard Red Line platforms.  The question is: when?  Given the immense size of this complex (on theretofore vacant land) and it’s potential to be a RTA trip generator with employees, attorneys, families, etc., it's easy to project that, once JJC opens, ridership at the E. 105 stop could double, triple or more, esp during rush periods. 

 

I've witnessed how cumbersome it is to have everybody entering/exiting the 1st car (usually the 1st door) of a 2 car train -- inevitably, there is at least 1 or 2 people on every train who don't understand they need to be on Car 1 and will come screaming through the train fighting to get off (it seems RTA has done a poor job posting this fact to the public).  As someone who rides this line occasionally to the U. Circle area from downtown, it’s a hassle as it is – one I know will get slightly better with the POP rollout in December, but still a pain in the butt even then.  And it can only get worse.

 

I’d hate to see RTA get caught with its pants down when the JJC opens.  When is RTA planning to move on expanding E.105, esp given the fact the E. 105 bridge (years after the Quincy bridge) has been rebuilt over the tracks for over a year now?  While the other station re-builds (Puritas, E. 120) are very important, it would seem, E.105's expansion would be top priority at this time.

 

I like Doc Broc's interpretation better.

 

Although I've seen the pictures now that I'm home, I went ahead and drove the route with my kids in tow. We liked what we saw. Lets all put our thoughts together and hope/pray/wish for great success with GCRTA's future projects.

Jetdog or Jmasek, on today's eastbound redline rapid, car number 326, the screws are gone from the sign cover that sits on the inside of the front car and so it's completely loose and BANG BANG BANGS the whole journey.

 

Also for what it's worth, our driver didn't call out any stops this morning - do only some of them do this, or are they always supposed to?  (driver was jacquelin)

Where can I get updates/information on the East Side Transit Center.  The most recent information from RTA's page is from 2005.  I know construction has started, but I am curious what routes it will service, when it will be completed, etc. 

^Construction has started on CSU's parking garage, not on the RTA Transit Center.  I think that the Transit Center will be eventually be built adjacent/north of the parking garage on the lot next to the Wolstein Center.

 

In a quick search of this thread, I found a link to the last time the East Side Transit Center was mentioned.

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4504.msg237310/topicseen.html#msg237310

 

^Construction has started on CSU's parking garage, not on the RTA Transit Center. I think that the Transit Center will be eventually be built adjacent/north of the parking garage on the lot next to the Wolstein Center.

 

You are correct. You will see more movement from RTA within a few months.

Jetdog or Jmasek, on today's eastbound redline rapid, car number 326, the screws are gone from the sign cover that sits on the inside of the front car and so it's completely loose and BANG BANG BANGS the whole journey. Also for what it's worth, our driver didn't call out any stops this morning - do only some of them do this, or are they always supposed to? (driver was jacquelin)

 

I am reporting this now, thanks.

For review, the east and west transit centers are intended to relieve bus congestion on public square, right?  Has there been a decision about where the west center will be? 

The large Juvenile Justice Center going up a few blocks of the E. 105/Quincy Red Line stop, is progressing quickly. I know you mentioned the plan was ultimately for RTA to lengthen the platform long enough to accommodate 2 or more cars at once, like the other standard Red Line platforms. The question is: when? Given the immense size of this complex (on theretofore vacant land) and its potential to be a RTA trip generator with employees, attorneys, families, etc., it's easy to project that, once JJC opens, ridership at the E. 105 stop could double, triple or more, esp during rush periods.

 

I am forwarding your question to supervisors in Rail and Engineering. I will share your answers asap.

Jerry,

 

When will maps, routes, etc. be updated in print and online?

 

Examples:

 

[*]The Red Line maps (online) show a connection to the 6.  There is no mention of the Healthline

[*]Several bus lines (7, 9, 32) are not updated.

 

Please advise.

 

I know this may come across as nitpicking, but many "naysayers" will use this to say RTA was not prepared or didn't inform the public.

 

Will the HealthLine be shown as a connection on route maps for bus & rail lines that end/start at Tower City - Public Square?

I know this may come across as nitpicking, but many "naysayers" will use this to say RTA was not prepared or didn't inform the public.

  I had to pay on the Healthline bus this morning (no proof of payment), so maybe they were not prepared?

I know this may come across as nitpicking, but many "naysayers" will use this to say RTA was not prepared or didn't inform the public.

  I had to pay on the Healthline bus this morning (no proof of payment), so maybe they were not prepared?

 

Possibly, but Jerry (and maybe jettdog) gave an answer to that in the HealthLine thread, correct?