Today in the RTA adventures of docbroc (every day is an adventure, just some are worth noting)....

 

I was on the bus on my way home, when an elderly gentleman got on the bus and proceeded to open up a giant container of sausage and sauerkraut (ick) and started eating.  He finished his meal, and proceeded to leave the bus around the CSU area.  When he got up, he left his carryout and drink containers in his seat and walked to the door.  The people who spotted this were all just kinda staring at it, so I decided to say something.  Very politely, I said, "Sir, your trash" and pointed to it.  He said, "She'll (the bus driver) get it."  And then I said again "Sir, your trash."  And he said "Why?!?" and I said, "Because it's the polite thing to do."  He then said either "Well you can f*ck me" or "Well she can f*ck me" I couldn't tell which and walked off the bus.  Everyone just bowed and shook their heads in disbelief after that exchange.  I was pretty p!ssed off, but I let it go so as to not start anything. :argue:

 

Good for you Doc.  You should have thrown it on his a$$ or at least taken a picture and turned it in to the police.

 

Yeah, the mister said he probably would've thrown it out the door at him.....

 

As our resident mad scientist, don't you carry chemicals or potions?  You could've thrown a lil "something, something" on him.

 

Umm...in poor taste much?  :|

 

Woman, two others injured by acid thrown on bus

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/07/woman_two_others_injured_by_ac.html

:roll:

You can't possibly think I was serious??  DocBroc, is a small woman.  That would be life threatening and probably send her to jail considering the field she works in.

 

Now I do think people should take pictures and turn folks in.

It is amazing that people can't understand sarcasm or humor.  Younger people have no sense of humor.  Everything is offensive to someone.

I definitely would have thrown the trash out after him, along with several loud obscenities.  I've already startled my baby by screaming when driving - there was a really elderly woman walking in north olmsted down lorain road, IN THE ROAD. There is a perfectly good sidewalk and yet she was in the road!  This is a pretty busy stretch (near Great Northern Blvd) and she didn't appear to be like a crazy bag lady or wandering/addled, she was just in the freaking road.  I rolled my window down and yelled "GET UP ON THE SIDEWALK!" and saw in my rearview that she did just that.  I mean, JEEZ.

I definitely would have thrown the trash out after him, along with several loud obscenities.  I've already startled my baby by screaming when driving - there was a really elderly woman walking in north olmsted down lorain road, IN THE ROAD. There is a perfectly good sidewalk and yet she was in the road!  This is a pretty busy stretch (near Great Northern Blvd) and she didn't appear to be like a crazy bag lady or wandering/addled, she was just in the freaking road.  I rolled my window down and yelled "GET UP ON THE SIDEWALK!" and saw in my rearview that she did just that.  I mean, JEEZ.

 

I probably would have, but I don't suggest a lady do that.

I'm no lady, I'm a bitch. :)

I'm no lady, I'm a bitch. :)

 

Thanks for making me spit water out my mouth and on to my desk.  I wasn't expecting that!

It is amazing that people can't understand sarcasm or humor.  Younger people have no sense of humor.  Everything is offensive to someone.

 

Of course I didn't think MTS was serious!  Even on his worst days, I think throwing acid would be below even him.  Maybe. :wink:

 

But that incident from a few years back was the first thing that came to mind when he mentioned it.

 

But I do think throwing the bag at the rider would have been pretty priceless...saurkraut juices streaming out and all!

It is amazing that people can't understand sarcasm or humor.  Younger people have no sense of humor.  Everything is offensive to someone.

 

Of course I didn't think MTS was serious!  Even on his worst days, I think throwing acid would be below even him.  Maybe. ;)

 

But that incident from a few years back was the first thing that came to mind when he mentioned it.

 

But I do think throwing the bag at the rider would have been pretty priceless...saurkraut juices streaming out and all!

 

It is amazing that people can't understand sarcasm or humor.  Younger people have no sense of humor.  Everything is offensive to someone.

 

Of course I didn't think MTS was serious!  Even on his worst days, I think throwing acid would be below even him.  Maybe. :wink:

 

But that incident from a few years back was the first thing that came to mind when he mentioned it.

 

But I do think throwing the bag at the rider would have been pretty priceless...saurkraut juices streaming out and all!

 

Yeah, I kinda needed to get home.  I didn't particularly feel like getting detained by the transit police for assault with a box of sauerkraut and sausage  :police:, but I did have to try really hard to refrain from getting b!tchy with him.

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1329

 

RTA moves to balance 2009 budget

 

CLEVELAND – Officials of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) today announced two actions to help close a $5.2 million deficit in the 2009 operating budget.

 

A 25-cent (per ride) fare increase on Tuesday, Sept. 1, will generate an estimated $1.5 million this year.

A service reduction that begins Sunday, Sept. 20, will save RTA an estimated $1.6 million this year, and more than $6 million annually in future years. The reduction includes the elimination of all 12 Community Circulator routes, and modifications to 12-15 other low-ridership big-bus routes.

 

Both items are included in the 2009 budget, which was adopted by the Board of Trustees in December 2008.

 

Six public hearings on these issues were held in August 2008. RTA received verbal or written comments from more than 3,000 persons.

 

The money

 

CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese says the actions will help balance the 2009 budget, which now faces a deficit of $5.2 million. Similar moves are being taken by other transit systems throughout the nation.

 

“This tough economy is hurting every public-sector agency and private-sector company,” Calabrese says. “RTA is not immune from what is happening to the rest of the nation. We had hoped these actions could have been avoided, but they can’t. RTA is now providing more service than we can pay for.”

 

Two things are affecting RTA:

 

The sales tax, a primary source of revenue, is projected to be $18 million below 2008 receipts by the end of the year. This is about the same amount received in 1999.

 

 

Because of the recession, the latest two-year State budget reduced funding to public transit by an additional 33 percent.

 

“Alone, these changes will not balance the 2009 budget, but they will help, as we continue to work on various strategies to address this crisis,” Calabrese says. He says RTA has already taken “significant steps” to balance the 2009 budget, including:

 

·        $13.7 million in cost-saving initiatives -- a hiring freeze, a salary freeze, a reduction in administrative positions, a 3 percent salary cut for all non-union employees, travel restrictions, reduced overtime, subcontracting work, and service changes.

 

·        $20.5 million in revenue-generating initiatives, including the fuel surcharge and various supplemental and one-time State and Federal funding initiatives

 

 

The Circulators

 

 

RTA policy is that, if service needs to be reduced, the changes should be designed to affect the fewest number of riders. Circulators are being eliminated for several reasons.

 

 

 

Circulator routes impact about 2.5 percent of RTA riders, according to numbers from the first six months of 2009.

 

 

Circulator routes often duplicate other RTA service. For instance, 91 percent of the route of the #804 Lakewood Circulator is directly served by other RTA routes, and 100 percent of the route has other RTA service available within a quarter-mile. Overall, 66 percent of Circulator routes duplicate other existing service, and 85 percent have other services within a quarter-mile.

 

 

RTA officials believe that eliminating the Circulators will impact only about 1 percent of its riders.

 

 

RTA staff will hold informational meetings in each area, to help Circulator customers plan their future trips. More details on the meeting dates will be announced soon.

 

 

 

“Last fall, we heard from more than 3,000 customers, with many passionate pleas to keep the Circulators. We listened, and kept the service operating for another year,” Calabrese says. “The last thing we want to do is cut service, but we have no other options. We can’t spend money we don’t have. We tried everything we could, but in the end, the economy won.”

 

 

 

Calabrese noted that very few cities in the nation operate Circulators. RTA began to offer the service in the 1990s, when the economy was robust.

 

 

The 12 Community Circulator routes are:

 

#801, Lee-Harvard

#802, Southeast

#803, St. Clair-Hough

#804, Lakewood

#805, Slavic Village

#806, Euclid-Euclid Beach

#807, Tremont

#808, West Shore

#809, Kamm’s-Puritas

#820, St. Clair-Five Points

#821, University Circle/Heights Area

#822, Southwest

 

 

About 12-15 other low-ridership routes will also be modified. That list will be finalized after the informational meetings are held for the Circulators.

 

           

 

The fare increase, effective Sept. 1, 2009

This fare structure expires March 31, 2010. In the coming months, the Board of Trustees will review the fare structure that will take effect April 1, 2010.

 

 

September monthly passes purchased in August will be sold at the old rate.

 

 

Cash fares                                            Now                As of 9-1-09

            Senior/Disabled                        $0.85                $1.00

 

            Trolley/Loop/Circulator                $1.25                $1.50

 

            Bus/Rapid                                $2.00                $2.25

 

            Park-n-Ride Bus                        $2.25                $2.50

 

            Out-of-county                            $3.25                $3.50

 

 

 

Farecards

            Students, per trip                      $  1.60              $  1.75

 

            5-trip Senior/Disabled                $  4.25              $  5.00

 

            5-trip Trolley/Loop/Circulator        $  6.25              $  7.50

 

            5-trip Bus/Rapid                        $10.00              $11.25

 

            Park-n-Ride Bus                        $11.25              $12.50

 

 

 

1- and 2-trip farecards are available only through authorized agencies. Student farecards are available only through schools.

 

 

 

Passes (Unlimited Rides within Cuyahoga County)

 

 

            All-Day Pass

 

            Senior/Disabled                        $2.00                $2.50

 

            Child (ages 6-12)                        $2.00                $2.50

 

            Individual                                  $4.50                $5.00

 

 

            Weekly Pass

 

            Senior/Disabled                        $  8.50              $10.00

 

            Bus/Rapid                                $20.00              $22.50

 

            Park-n-Ride Bus                        $22.50              $25.00

 

Monthly Pass

 

            Senior/Disabled                        $32.00              $38.00

 

            Bus/Rapid                                $76.00              $85.00

 

            Park-n-Ride Bus                        $85.00              $95.00

 

Paratransit

            Cash Fare                                $  2.00              $  2.25

 

            5-trip Farecard                          $10.00              $11.25

 

            Weekly Pass                            $20.00              $22.50

 

            Monthly Pass                            $76.00              $85.00

 

 

Ouch! The peak one-zone fare in Seattle (e.g. downtown to Maple heights, rush hour) is $2.00.  Our sales tax revenue is probably better though. 

Ouch indeed.  It's $90 a month to park at Tower City, only $5 more than a monthly bus pass, and I'm sure there are cheaper lots than that, I'll be looking for one.

And this shall end my car-free existence, I think. At least my monthly pass ridership.

 

I heavily use one of the circulator routes. I also have been biking more often and can bike to work most days.

 

Sigh.

I have a question about the "trolley/loop/circulator" fares - I thought the downtown trolleys are free, and the circulators are being discontinued, so why not just call it the "loop" fare (which I guess is only for the muni lot shuttle, so just call it the muni lot shuttle fare)?

It's still a bargain compared to driving.

 

$1,020 for a year's worth of monthly bus passes

vs.

$8,100 for a year's worth of driving a mid-sized sedan 15,000 miles.

http://www.aaaexchange.com/Assets/Files/200948913570.DrivingCosts2009.pdf

 

If you're a two-car family, there's no reason to own the second car that you probably don't use for 22-23 hours a day. Save the $7,100 per year and get a nicer house. Save for your child's college education. Spend money on the local economy rather than for some Middle Eastern economy.

 

I know the increased fare is a bummer. But let's keep things in perspective.

Before cutting a service...it would be better to raise a fare or add one...instead of doing away with the service. Maybe ridership is low for RTA in some areas because maybe they need to do a more professional job running this thing. I ride it, I use it as often as I can---but to be honest, if they want to attract new riders then they need to clean up their act...many of the bus stops are filthy...some drivers are rude with no personality...and are BAD drivers. I had to report a bus twice once. I have written to them about any problem I had, called them...no return contact.

 

 

Maybe if they act a bit less complacent on obvious issues, ridership might increase ad it may be attractive a package enough for attracting new riders!

"If you're a two-car family, there's no reason to own the second car that you probably don't use for 22-23 hours a day."

 

That's assuming you and your spouse or significant other ONLY use your cars to get to and from work or to get places together on evenings or weekends.  What about getting to doctor and dentist appointments throughout the year?  This is a lot of appointments for me, I see a variety of specialists for different conditions.  Then there's the yearly gyno visit, my every 3-week visit for an allergy shot, dental cleanings and other needed procedures (just had a crown put on, for example, which was 2 trips, and my husband had to have  tooth extracted, so that's another trip).  If I don't have a car, I would incur a ton of money in city wheels getting to all these appointments.  Never mind getting together with friends - many spouses have their own friends and don't get together as a couple, especially if your friends are single.  If we only had one car and I want to meet my friend for happy hour or sunday brunch, my husband would be completely without any way to get anywhere (or get the baby anywhere, more importantly) while I go do whatever, same thing if he gets together with his friends.  Not to mention which, he has to have a car to get to work as there is no public trans to take from point A to point B so I would be the one doing without,and between doctor appointments and what meager social life I have, there would be no way to do without a car.  Not to mention when we run errands on the weekends, we usually split up so we can get more things done at once.  He might go to the library and the WSM, I might go to the farmer's market and the conventional grocery.  And now with the addition of the baby, one of us has to drop him off in the morning (me) and another pick him up (him) because I often have to stay late unexpectedly and you are penalized for every 15 minutes you are late picking up a child from daycare. A one-car lifestyle is just not very possible for most couples.

 

"Before cutting a service...it would be better to raise a fare or add one...instead of doing away with the service."  Etheostoma, I know you haven't been on here for that long but this is a popular but extremely underinformed opinion.  Very, VERY few of RTA's money is made via fares.  Increasing ridership by 340% would not even make much of a dent in their annual spend, fares are NOT how they make money, and they are required by law to not operate in the red, so they have to CUT somewhere unless there is a budget increase given to them by the government, which is where they get their allocated budget, NOT FROM FARES/RIDERS.  I don't remember the statistic, but it's something like maybe 6% of their money comes from fares, it is a piddling drop in the bucket - even if EVERY PERSON in Cleveland started taking public trans to and from work every day, it would not be enough for them to operate.  The government does not allocate nearly enough budgetary dollars to public transit as compared to every other state that has public transit.  Why?  Because that's what their constituents largely want - good roads and bridges, not letting those fall into disrepair while money is funneled into public trans.

Rockandroller...

 

So basically I am smelling another case of rural/sprawl funding is king?

 

Do you think there is a chance of reversing this decision in any way?

So basically I am smelling another case of rural/sprawl funding is king?

Yes, and no. The economy is a large part of why these cuts are happening, but if there was a dedicated funding source from the state so that RTA wasn't so dependant on sales tax revenues, the economy wouldn't have as big of an effect.

 

Do you think there is a chance of reversing this decision in any way?

To put it mildly, the service cuts aren't going to get reversed any time soon. When the recession ends, people start spending money (thus increasing the amount of sales tax revenues), and people start making more (thus increasing income tax going to the state, from which a pittance goes to transit) they we can talk about getting service back.

Do you think there is a chance of reversing this decision in any way?

 

All Aboard Ohio is working on a solution to address state funding which could provide some long-term financial stability. But I don't know if we can save the circulators, which were and are a financial drag. There are some who look at a smaller bus and think it is costing RTA less to operate than a big bus. In reality there is very little difference in operating costs. Yet these circulators are very lightly used so they don't make up for their costs on the revenue end. If businesses in some communities like Lakewood band together to help subsidize their circulator (like downtown businesses do for the trolley), then maybe some can be saved.

Rockandroller...

 

So basically I am smelling another case of rural/sprawl funding is king?

 

Do you think there is a chance of reversing this decision in any way?

 

Well, I would say in this state, rural/sprawl funding is definitely still king.  As to reversing it, the only way this is going to happen is to have more and more people writing their senators and congresspeople and letting them know this is an important issue for them and that you want them to seek out and to support increasing state funding for public transportation.

Who would be good representatives to send a note to on this matter? I get so tired of writing on issues like this and getting these form letters back, that are the same responses no matter what side of an issues I'm on. This state cannot possibly continue to sustain this ever-costing sprawl agenda. I wonder what happens when there is nothing rural left as Ohio becomes one giant suburb with state parks, etc..being mere overcrowded and used green islands.

Start with the chairs of the Ohio House and Ohio Senate Transportation Committees:

 

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/committees/com_highways.html

http://www.house.state.oh.us/index.php?option=com_displaycommittees&task=2&type=Regular&committeeId=121

 

(Click on the committee members' names for contact info)

 

Rep. Bob Hagan will probably be sympathetic to you. Senator Tom Patton probably won't.

Start with the chairs of the Ohio House and Ohio Senate Transportation Committees:

 

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/committees/com_highways.html

http://www.house.state.oh.us/index.php?option=com_displaycommittees&task=2&type=Regular&committeeId=121

 

(Click on the committee members' names for contact info)

 

Rep. Bob Hagan will probably be sympathetic to you. Senator Tom Patton probably won't.

 

I wrote to about 10 people. I hope people here do the same. The committee is mostly Republican, so I doubt they'll be public transport minded. Maybe I am wrong...But the best predictor of the future is the past. And these are issues thet have not been too kind on. Did anyone else here write?

 

How about RTA using less circulators, BUT, have then serve more area? From the PD article, it seemed there was much protest to the decision to stop them.

How about RTA using less circulators, BUT, have then serve more area? From the PD article, it seemed there was much protest to the decision to stop them.

 

the problem with the circulators is two-fold:  1) by the board's service policy, they are the least used service on a number of metrics; and 2) politics.

 

so, as times continue to get tough (as predicted in 2010 tax budget for RTA), more service reductions and more fare increases may be in store.  however, it is my understanding that the staff can't "save" 1 or 2 circulators that might be doing better than others, b/c the board policy dictates how to rank service.  the circulators for the past few years have been at the bottom of the list, and by policy, are the first to be cut.  the board could potentially intervene and save a few routes, but this would also set a bad precedent of introducing politics and abandoning the adopted policy for staff to follow.

 

the circulators are also less expensive to ride, which is one of the reasons there is always popular support for the service.

 

my guess is that over the next month a number of big bus routes will be tweaked to better serve areas where circulators will be removed.  not everyone will be happy for sure, but so much service has been cut over the past few years, there are no easy cuts left imo.

It's still a bargain compared to driving.

 

$1,020 for a year's worth of monthly bus passes

vs.

$8,100 for a year's worth of driving a mid-sized sedan 15,000 miles.

http://www.aaaexchange.com/Assets/Files/200948913570.DrivingCosts2009.pdf

 

If you're a two-car family, there's no reason to own the second car that you probably don't use for 22-23 hours a day. Save the $7,100 per year and get a nicer house. Save for your child's college education. Spend money on the local economy rather than for some Middle Eastern economy.

 

I know the increased fare is a bummer. But let's keep things in perspective.

 

Let's keep something else in perspective. When the bus I use second or third most often is eliminated, service is worsened systemwide, why would I pay more for the service? I have hung with them through three disruptions of my service. If the breaking point isn't here yet, it's darn close.

How about RTA using less circulators, BUT, have then serve more area? From the PD article, it seemed there was much protest to the decision to stop them.

 

the problem with the circulators is two-fold:  1) by the board's service policy, they are the least used service on a number of metrics; and 2) politics.

 

so, as times continue to get tough (as predicted in 2010 tax budget for RTA), more service reductions and more fare increases may be in store.  however, it is my understanding that the staff can't "save" 1 or 2 circulators that might be doing better than others, b/c the board policy dictates how to rank service.  the circulators for the past few years have been at the bottom of the list, and by policy, are the first to be cut.  the board could potentially intervene and save a few routes, but this would also set a bad precedent of introducing politics and abandoning the adopted policy for staff to follow.

 

the circulators are also less expensive to ride, which is one of the reasons there is always popular support for the service.

 

my guess is that over the next month a number of big bus routes will be tweaked to better serve areas where circulators will be removed.  not everyone will be happy for sure, but so much service has been cut over the past few years, there are no easy cuts left imo.

 

Do you think such services could ever be restored? Or, once they cut this, that's it? It would be good to expand buses in certain areas that circulators once served...as long as the streets can accommodate them. I actually used to ride one of the circulators a lot.. My sister planned on moving back and I thought they'd be good... But now I guess we will have to make other considerations. Please, though..no car, I hope.

Let's keep something else in perspective. When the bus I use second or third most often is eliminated, service is worsened systemwide, why would I pay more for the service? I have hung with them through three disruptions of my service. If the breaking point isn't here yet, it's darn close.

 

It's up to you, of course.

The fare increases seem to make things very expensive.  I wonder how RTA's fares compare to other cities.  $2.25/one way seems a little high to me.

 

Yeah, I guess you save money when you raise fares and cut back service, but you also alienate a lot of people decrease ridership.  Seems like a vicious circle...

How we compare to other cities is almost irrelevant.  Most other cities outside Ohio receive substantially more state funding, so it's not a very apples to apples comparison.

How we compare to other cities is almost irrelevant. Most other cities outside Ohio receive substantially more state funding, so it's not a very apples to apples comparison.

 

I can give a rather apples to apples comparison (or probably as close as possible):

In St. Louis, bus fare is $2.00 but train fare is $2.25.  I believe there is also going to be another fare hike soon cause they are in way more money trouble than RTA is.  So, no, $2.25 isn't rediculously high.

The fare increases seem to make things very expensive.  I wonder how RTA's fares compare to other cities.  $2.25/one way seems a little high to me.

Yeah, I guess you save money when you raise fares and cut back service, but you also alienate a lot of people decrease ridership.  Seems like a vicious circle...

 

How we compare to other cities is almost irrelevant.  Most other cities outside Ohio receive substantially more state funding, so it's not a very apples to apples comparison.

 

I can give a rather apples to apples comparison (or probably as close as possible):

In St. Louis, bus fare is $2.00 but train fare is $2.25.  I believe there is also going to be another fare hike soon cause they are in way more money trouble than RTA is.  So, no, $2.25 isn't rediculously high.

 

How we compare to other cities is almost irrelevant.  Most other cities outside Ohio receive substantially more state funding, so it's not a very apples to apples comparison.

Exactly.  NYC, San Fran (Bart & Muni), Minneapolis, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, etc. are all proposing or have already announced fare hikes and several other cities are discussing this.  I don't feel it's "too high" considering RTA is well managed compared to other Transit Systems like the MTA (NY and LA), MARTA or Vegas, Miami.

A fare hike would bother me way less if there wasn't also a reduction in service.

 

I understand the numbers. I understand why. As a consumer, there will be a point when it doesn't make sense anymore. And it's very soon if not here already.

 

Once the Circulator is eliminated, I either have to leave 15-20 minutes earlier for work (and get there 20 minutes early) or ride my bike and not use the service. Twenty minutes may not seem like a ton, but that's more than an hour and a half a week. That's time I usually spend giving my dog a long walk, or in the winter hours, straightening up the house so I can have more time on the weekend to be leisurely.

 

That's quality of life.

 

I can't leave early if I get in earlier because I'm a salary slave.

 

And if I get downtown earlier, I won't do something equally enjoyable for 20 minutes to burn off the time. I'll go straight to work because that's the frame of mind I am in once I'm in business attire and headed downtown. It will feel like a waste of time.

 

Plus, I'll no longer get to walk out of Tower City in the morning with a rush of commuters which actually is enjoyable to me and makes me feel more connected to my city. Again, quality of life.

 

Is this the biggest deal in the world? No. Is it a big enough deal for me to settle for driving or riding my bike instead of taking the bus? It may be. I'm leaning toward yes.

When you compare RTA fares with those in other cities, also look to see how much per-capita state funding support those transit agencies are getting. In Ohio this fiscal year, the per-capita state funding is less than $1 per person ($10 million for a state of 11 million people). In North Carolina, it's $18 per person. In Wisconsin, it's nearly $20. In Michigan, its $20. In Minnesota, it's $42. In Pennsylvania, it's more than $60. In Illinois, it's $61. In New York, it's $94. In Maryland, it's $140. And in Massachusetts, it's better than $200 per-capita. That data is from the Transportation Research Board.

 

Ever wonder why our transit systems in Ohio need lots of help? Because the state doesn't give them any.

 

However, I will end with this note that this is a national problem:

 

Nine out of Ten Public Transit Systems Forced to Raise Fares or Cut Service in Cities Where Transit Revenue is Declining

http://www.apta.com/media/releases/090612_constraints.cfm

 

Moved the discussion about the New York MTA's mismanagement to:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6079.0.html

 

Moved the discussion about the New York MTA's mismanagement to:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6079.0.html

 

Awwww, Thomas the Tank Engine!!!!

 

I actually have a random other comment....  All the drivers should know how to use the bike racks on the front of the buses in case they need to show someone how to load and unload a bike.  My driver this morning (don't feel like calling out the specific driver) didn't know how and neither did the dude trying to get on the bus, so the passenger and his bike got left behind.

That sucks.

 

An organization that briefly existed called Alt-Trans (was a sub-group of EcoCity Cleveland) got the Rack-n-Roll program going in Northeast Ohio. We also did the guidebook "Car-Free in Cleveland." Anyway, we started the Rack-n-Roll bikes-on-buses program with the transit systems in the collar counties because RTA wasn't interested in it. As part of this program, Alt-Trans developed a small brochure showing how to use the bike racks -- I'm trying to find a copy but that was 10 years ago! But part of the deal with RTA, if I recall correctly, was that RTA drivers were not be involved in putting the bikes in the racks. That way, if the bike fell out, RTA wouldn't be liable for the bike.

I actually have a random other comment....  All the drivers should know how to use the bike racks on the front of the buses in case they need to show someone how to load and unload a bike.  My driver this morning (don't feel like calling out the specific driver) didn't know how and neither did the dude trying to get on the bus, so the passenger and his bike got left behind.

RTA actually has a policy against drivers assisting with Bikes, Here

For safety reasons, operators cannot get off the bus to assist you. You must be able to load and unload your bike without the operator’s assistance.

I actually have a random other comment.... All the drivers should know how to use the bike racks on the front of the buses in case they need to show someone how to load and unload a bike. My driver this morning (don't feel like calling out the specific driver) didn't know how and neither did the dude trying to get on the bus, so the passenger and his bike got left behind.

RTA actually has a policy against drivers assisting with Bikes, Here

For safety reasons, operators cannot get off the bus to assist you. You must be able to load and unload your bike without the operators assistance.

 

Wow, didn't know that.  Well then, each driver should carry at least a couple copies of that brochure in the event it is needed!

I actually have a random other comment....  All the drivers should know how to use the bike racks on the front of the buses in case they need to show someone how to load and unload a bike.  My driver this morning (don't feel like calling out the specific driver) didn't know how and neither did the dude trying to get on the bus, so the passenger and his bike got left behind.

RTA actually has a policy against drivers assisting with Bikes, Here

For safety reasons, operators cannot get off the bus to assist you. You must be able to load and unload your bike without the operator’s assistance.

 

Wow, didn't know that.  Well then, each driver should carry at least a couple copies of that brochure in the event it is needed!

In the same breath, people with bikes should educate themselves on how to load and unload their bike prior to starting their trip.

I actually have a random other comment.... All the drivers should know how to use the bike racks on the front of the buses in case they need to show someone how to load and unload a bike. My driver this morning (don't feel like calling out the specific driver) didn't know how and neither did the dude trying to get on the bus, so the passenger and his bike got left behind.

RTA actually has a policy against drivers assisting with Bikes, Here

For safety reasons, operators cannot get off the bus to assist you. You must be able to load and unload your bike without the operators assistance.

 

Wow, didn't know that. Well then, each driver should carry at least a couple copies of that brochure in the event it is needed!

In the same breath, people with bikes should educate themselves on how to load and unload their bike prior to starting their trip.

 

Yes, but if they don't have internet, they can't do that.

Or, if you'd like to see it in action (racks are pretty standard nationwide)....

 

Is this the brochure, KJP?

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/BikeBusTrain.pdf

 

It does a very good job explaining it.

I actually have a random other comment....  All the drivers should know how to use the bike racks on the front of the buses in case they need to show someone how to load and unload a bike.  My driver this morning (don't feel like calling out the specific driver) didn't know how and neither did the dude trying to get on the bus, so the passenger and his bike got left behind.

RTA actually has a policy against drivers assisting with Bikes, Here

For safety reasons, operators cannot get off the bus to assist you. You must be able to load and unload your bike without the operator’s assistance.

 

Wow, didn't know that.  Well then, each driver should carry at least a couple copies of that brochure in the event it is needed!

In the same breath, people with bikes should educate themselves on how to load and unload their bike prior to starting their trip.

 

Yes, but if they don't have internet, they can't do that.

Is this the brochure, KJP?

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/BikeBusTrain.pdf

 

It does a very good job explaining it.

 

That's RTA's brochure. It does do a good job. But ours showed a Lorain County Transit bus, and explained with pictures how to load a bike on a rack. LCT was the first transit agency in NE Ohio to have the bike racks on buses. Laketran was a closed second.

I actually have a random other comment....  All the drivers should know how to use the bike racks on the front of the buses in case they need to show someone how to load and unload a bike.  My driver this morning (don't feel like calling out the specific driver) didn't know how and neither did the dude trying to get on the bus, so the passenger and his bike got left behind.

RTA actually has a policy against drivers assisting with Bikes, Here

For safety reasons, operators cannot get off the bus to assist you. You must be able to load and unload your bike without the operator’s assistance.

 

Wow, didn't know that.  Well then, each driver should carry at least a couple copies of that brochure in the event it is needed!

In the same breath, people with bikes should educate themselves on how to load and unload their bike prior to starting their trip.

 

 

Yes, but if they don't have internet, they can't do that.

 

Don't you give me that look!  I'm merely trying to say that I've never seen that brochure before outside of just now on the webpage :-P

 

Perhaps it would be workable to put some sort of quick pictorial directions on the front of the bus?

Well as to the fare increases, I had to go to RTA's site to find it, but a monthly bus pass has gone from $45 to $85 in just over 3 years. We understand the gas prices, and we understand the effect the recession has had, but still, that's some serious inflation when you look at the price increases cumulatively. While the price may have been just moving in line with other transit agencies, its quite understandable why people are frustrated.

Perhaps it would be workable to put some sort of quick pictorial directions on the front of the bus?

 

Or even if the bus driver could quickly give them verbal directions....  The driver this morning told the guy she didn't know how to work it at all.

Why do the trolley's bells not work?  Every single one I hear is muffled.  It would be such a cool dynamic to hear on a sunny day with bells ringing, but I hear a dead pang sound.  I've heard it enough to actually say something when I heard it today.  What gives?