I'd like to give a little shout out to RTA's customer service and refund department for not giving me any hassle over a refund for one of the machines that broke down on Monday.  My only issues were that I had to call between 7:30-9am and a few of the phone numbers were either disconnected or had no voice mail.  That aside, the RTA reps were polite, apologetic, and I'm getting my $10 pass this afternoon.  So thanks guys.

 

what the heck? i called RTA several times last year for a refund and they never called me back

 

and whats this about raising fares and cutting circulators? RTA needs to fix their own problems instead of taking it out on tax payers. im getting sick of them raising fares every year while reducing service.

 

If you were having issues with a refund, have you contacted our RTA reps on this very board for assistance?

 

Again, if you have issues with fares, service cuts, etc.  tell your neighbors and tax payers to call their state and federal officials and ask for more money to be allocated to transportation.  As you know we are in a recession and rta ridership is up but monies collected from sales is down..  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that, that situation, doesn't balance a budget. 

 

Lastly, how can you say this is an RTA issue when every transit system in the country is having budget issues.  RTA is one of the best managed systems from a financial standpoint.  If you proof otherwise that RTA is (has been) financial irresponsible, please share you finding with the board.

and whats this about raising fares and cutting circulators? RTA needs to fix their own problems instead of taking it out on tax payers. im getting sick of them raising fares every year while reducing service.

 

Sometimes I think Clevelanders don't leave their neighborhoods or even read what's happening in other cities (including right here on this forum -- it doesn't get more accessible than that!) before forming an opinion about their city's transit system.

 

I'll post this again so people can find/read this more easily......

 

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

More than 80 percent of public transit systems (nationwide) have seen flat or decreased funding from local, regional, and state funding.  Among transit systems facing this decreased funding, nine out of ten transit systems (89 percent) were forced to raise fares or cut service, according to a new survey released today (June 12, 2009) by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

Lastly, how can you say this is an RTA issue when every transit system in the country is having budget issues. 

 

Sometimes I think Clevelanders don't leave their neighborhoods or even read what's happening in other cities (including right here on this forum -- it doesn't get more accessible than that!) before forming an opinion about their city's transit system.

 

I'll post this again so people can find/read this more easily......

 

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

More than 80 percent of public transit systems (nationwide) have seen flat or decreased funding from local, regional, and state funding.  Among transit systems facing this decreased funding, nine out of ten transit systems (89 percent) were forced to raise fares or cut service, according to a new survey released today (June 12, 2009) by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

 

OK.  I said "every", but maybe I should have said nearly every. :wink:

I understand, but just pointing out that during rush hour, the new system does not offer any time savings to riders.  They should not advertise it as such.

 

Hopefully we can use both sets of turnstiles while exiting?

 

I just meant that it's not like the blue/green line at all, because people won't have to pay cash fares at Tower City, nor when they get on the train.  The POP cards go through much more quickly, just like any RTA fare media.  [glow=red,2,300][glow=red,2,300]Honestly, I hope RTA actually makes people use the fareboxes, because if they cut people slack like on the Healthline, people will still insist on paying on the train, and then things definitely won't be any faster.  They really need to force people to start using the fareboxes, even if they are a giant PITA to use.[/glow][/glow]

 

I totally agree.  They need to take the fareboxes out of the Healthline BRTs and the Red Line Trains and force people to use the machines or risk getting a ticket. 

I just don't get it. I mean, do people think RTA is cutting things just because they're "mean?" 

 

OK. I said "every", but maybe I should have said nearly every. :wink:

 

My bad... I meant to quote CF216, not you.

Can we hold the union who filed the grievance to get her put back in her job responsible in any way? And this is another reason why there should be a law banning all drivers from using a cell phone in any way while driving.

 

 

Former RTA bus driver was talking on cell phone when pedestrian was struck and killed, prosecutor says

 

Posted by Donna J. Miller/Plain Dealer Reporter

August 06, 2009 18:30PM

 

CLEVELAND — The former RTA bus driver who killed a pedestrian in March was on her cell phone when she struck the man in a crosswalk in downtown Cleveland, prosecutors said.

 

More at cleveland.com:

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/08/rta_bus_driver_was_talking_on.html

 

NPR did a story last night about Beeping Buses in Des Moines, Iowa.  It mentioned Cleveland in it as well.  The link is below:

 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111629526

 

Of interesting note, Des Moines is eliminating all left hand turns on their routes in downtown.

Of interesting note, Des Moines is eliminating all left hand turns on their routes in downtown.

 

While that would take a lot of planning and changes, it sounds like a good idea. At least a better idea than beeping busses.

Can we hold the union who filed the grievance to get her put back in her job responsible in any way? And this is another reason why there should be a law banning all drivers from using a cell phone in any way while driving.

 

 

Good question and it does appear that way in retrospect. I also question the union's power simply based on compensation. RTA covers only 15 percent of its costs from fares, advertising and other internally generated revenues. That's awfully low compared to other transit agencies. Meanwhile, at other transit agencies, labor costs comprise 50-70 percent of total agency costs. At RTA labor is nearly 75 percent of total costs.

I would have guessed that right hand turns were more dangerous for busses and pedestrians.  Seems like visibility should be pretty good on a typical left hand turn.

I would have guessed that right hand turns were more dangerous for busses and pedestrians. Seems like visibility should be pretty good on a typical left hand turn.

 

Busses, SUV's, pick ups, cars, motorcycles, doesnt matter who or what is making the left hand turn if the driver isnt paying attention to who is in the crosswalk it has the potential for disaster. Every day im nearly hit by people who feel like theyre making a left hand turn in F1 while im in the middle of a crosswalk with a walk sign. Then when i yell, throw something, or give em a sign of peace they look at me like im the one in the wrong.

I would have guessed that right hand turns were more dangerous for busses and pedestrians.  Seems like visibility should be pretty good on a typical left hand turn.

 

Busses, SUV's, pick ups, cars, motorcycles, doesnt matter who or what is making the left hand turn if the driver isnt paying attention to who is in the crosswalk it has the potential for disaster. Every day im nearly hit by people who feel like theyre making a left hand turn in F1 while im in the middle of a crosswalk with a walk sign. Then when i yell, throw something, or give em a sign of peace they look at me like im the one in the wrong.

 

You just became my new favorite whippersnapper!  ;)

Best quote in the article:

 

Ms. SCHMIT: Honking at a pedestrian isn't going to make you see the pedestrian. And all it mean is that a pedestrian has to run out of the way from a DART bus.

 

She right, is this kind pf a pass to drivers that they don't need to pay as much attention....my bus is honking, get out of the way!  Ped awareness needs to increase for drivers of all vehicles...the "get the hell out of my way" attitude needs to stop...esp bad in the midwest IMO

 

I would have guessed that right hand turns were more dangerous for busses and pedestrians.  Seems like visibility should be pretty good on a typical left hand turn.

 

Busses, SUV's, pick ups, cars, motorcycles, doesnt matter who or what is making the left hand turn if the driver isnt paying attention to who is in the crosswalk it has the potential for disaster. Every day im nearly hit by people who feel like theyre making a left hand turn in F1 while im in the middle of a crosswalk with a walk sign. Then when i yell, throw something, or give em a sign of peace they look at me like im the one in the wrong.

 

You just became my new favorite whippersnapper!  ;)

 

Looks like i need to come up with something to get back on your bad side again, or at least knock me down a few pegs  :evil:  :laugh:  :evil:

I like the idea of cops undercover using crosswalks and ticketing those that do not yield right of way.  They did it around Chicago in areas where pedestrians had been hit a lot.

Ironically, this was in today's e-mail newsletter from the American Public Transportation Association...

__________________

 

LaHood to Convene Panel on Driver Distractions; APTA Group Creating Standards

 

U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood recently announced he will convene a panel to address the problem of text messaging and cellphone use by drivers. The panel will include senior transportation officials, safety advocates, and representatives from Congress, law enforcement, and academia.

 

The announcement followed Sen. Charles Schumer’s (D-NY) introduction of a bill that would withhold 25 percent of transportation funding from states lacking laws against texting while driving. The Avoiding Life Endangering and Reckless Texting (ALERT) Act is cosponsored by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ); Mary Landrieu (D-LA); and Kay Hagan (D-NC).

 

APTA’s Standards Development Bus Safety Working Group is developing two voluntary standards that public transit systems may adopt to address operator distraction on bus or rail vehicles.

I noticed something this morning that I hadn't noticed before.....  Either it's new or I've just been oblivious (which would be amusing since it's another attention-getting measure on the part of the buses).....  When my bus was turning left right before it picked me up this morning, one of the lights in the yellow turn signals on the side/front of the bus had been replaced with a strobe light that flashed when turning.

RTA should have a zero-tolerance policy for cell phone usage by the drivers... immediate termination of the driver.  But, of course, I'm sure the union would disagree.

I noticed something this morning that I hadn't noticed before.....  Either it's new or I've just been oblivious (which would be amusing since it's another attention-getting measure on the part of the buses).....  When my bus was turning left right before it picked me up this morning, one of the lights in the yellow turn signals on the side/front of the bus had been replaced with a strobe light that flashed when turning.

 

I noticed this today as well.  I wouldn't really call them strobe lights... more like rapidly flashing yellowish-orange LED's.

 

Given the fact that the driver of the bus that killed the pedestrian was on her cell phone when the accident occurred I think it's time RTA revisit the actions they took in response.  Instead of shifting the burden to the pedestrian by honking and beeping it's probably time to make some policy changes like this :

RTA should have a zero-tolerance policy for cell phone usage by the drivers... immediate termination of the driver. 

 

They shouldn't even be allowed to have cell phones on the bus period IMO.

I noticed something this morning that I hadn't noticed before..... Either it's new or I've just been oblivious (which would be amusing since it's another attention-getting measure on the part of the buses)..... When my bus was turning left right before it picked me up this morning, one of the lights in the yellow turn signals on the side/front of the bus had been replaced with a strobe light that flashed when turning.

 

I noticed this today as well. I wouldn't really call them strobe lights... more rapidly flashing yellowish-orange LED's.

 

Are these not part of the "safety precautions" that are coupled with the beeping that the busses make when making all stops and turns?

I noticed something this morning that I hadn't noticed before..... Either it's new or I've just been oblivious (which would be amusing since it's another attention-getting measure on the part of the buses)..... When my bus was turning left right before it picked me up this morning, one of the lights in the yellow turn signals on the side/front of the bus had been replaced with a strobe light that flashed when turning.

 

I noticed this today as well. I wouldn't really call them strobe lights... more rapidly flashing yellowish-orange LED's.

 

Are these not part of the "safety precautions" that are coupled with the beeping that the busses make when making all stops and turns?

 

I'm sure they are.  I was merely stating that I didn't remember seeing them prior to today.

^Not good news for epileptics.

^Not good news for epileptics.

 

they aren't strobe lights, though.  they are just modern LED turn signal lights which are bright and placed at the corner of the bus.  you see these types of lights on other newer heavy vehicles.

^Not good news for epileptics.

 

they aren't strobe lights, though. they are just modern LED turn signal lights which are bright and placed at the corner of the bus. you see these types of lights on other newer heavy vehicles.

 

Like new RTA buses... :)

http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/2009/08/11/stimulus-money-could-save-rta-route/

 

Stimulus money could save RTA route

By: Maria Kacik

August 11th, 2009

 

BRUNSWICK — Stimulus money the city is set to receive for transit offerings could help keep the RTA line that connects Medina and Cuyahoga counties running.

 

In April, the Ohio Department of Development awarded urban transit authorities in the Cleveland area $39.8 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to be used for capital improvements. Brunswick is set to receive $350,816 of the funds.

 

 

.....

Any Red Line users get stopped on the train yet to check your pass?

 

While it is not faster than the old method (at least during rush hour), it has not been too bad.  Still a bit of a delay getting off the train in morning compared to the old way, but I just position myself by a door so i can get get ahead of the slow pokes and clueless wonders.  I know it can't be much, but hopefully this results in reduced expense to RTA in the future.

Any Red Line users get stopped on the train yet to check your pass?

 

While it is not faster than the old method (at least during rush hour), it has not been too bad.  Still a bit of a delay getting off the train in morning compared to the old way, but I just position myself by a door so i can get get ahead of the slow pokes and clueless wonders.  I know it can't be much, but hopefully this results in reduced expense to RTA in the future.

 

dude, it's not been a week.  give it some time.  ;)

I was very pleased this morning getting on the Red Line.  The operator did not let anyone pay on the train and said they should have paid in the station, and for the time being they'll have the chance to pay at Tower City.

 

RTA has some temporary fareboxes manned before you go through the turnstiles, probably for this very reason.  I don't think they are checking people and writing tickets yet, letting them get use to the new system.

The best thing about these new fare machines is the ability to pay with plastic!  While it will be nice to allow trains to remain on schedule during off-peak hours (instead of waiting at stations for passengers to pay), I'm thrilled I don't need to find an ATM anymore!

I was very pleased this morning getting on the Red Line. The operator did not let anyone pay on the train and said they should have paid in the station, and for the time being they'll have the chance to pay at Tower City.

 

RTA has some temporary fareboxes manned before you go through the turnstiles, probably for this very reason. I don't think they are checking people and writing tickets yet, letting them get use to the new system.

 

They really need to not let people pay on the Healthline anymore, unless the farebox at a station is broken.  Apparently the Cedar/UC fareboxes on the Red Line were broken last night, though.  There was an attendant at the station, but she waved my friends on saying the boxes weren't working.  Luckily the RTA reps at Tower City helped them work things out when they arrived.

Kudos to RTA for doing a bang-up job (NOT) with the #9 reroute for the feast.  Yesterday afternoon, the riders' alert said the reroute would be in effect after 5pm yesterday and after 8:30am today.  Last night, I caught a bus on Adelbert, no problem.  This morning, I got on the bus downtown and greeted my usual driver and asked him if I could get off at a stop on Adelbert - he had this really confused look on his face until he realized what I was talking about.  He then said the reroute was only after 5pm.  Then thinking I was going insane or something, I looked at the riders' alert again when I got to work.  It still said buses would be rerouted today after 8:30am.  Then it's about 4:50pm and I'm doing my little Friday happy dance out to the curb to wait for the bus.  No bus.....  No bus......  Oh look, there's the bus still driving down Euclid cause it came from Mayfield.....  So then I thought, well, crap, I guess I'm taking the healthline cause there's not another #9 for 25 minutes.  As I was waiting for the healthline, a couple more #9 buses drove the other way on Euclid and didn't go down Adelbert like they were supposed to either, even though by that point it was after 5pm.  So, even if the reroute was supposed to be for after 5 instead of after 8:30am, the buses were still not driving down Adelbert.  So then I get home and look at the rider's alert a third time and notice it's now changed to 5pm for today.  I don't know at what point that was done today (sometime after 9:30am I guess).  Seriously, WTF?  I'm not supposed to go home p!ssed off on a Friday!!!!  That's just wrong!!!

You do a Friday happy dance out to the curb? I want video of this NOW!

You do a Friday happy dance out to the curb? I want video of this NOW!

 

Well, it's more of a mental happy dance, lol.

From an e-mailed press release........

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

Council, GCRTA to meet to discuss future of Community Circulators

 

WHO:        Cleveland City Council and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA)

 

WHAT:      A meeting to discuss GCRTA’s action to eliminate Community Circulator Routes 

 

WHEN:      Wednesday, August 19, 2009 from 9 to 10 am

 

WHERE:  Cleveland City Council’s Caucus Room (enter through Room 220)

 

WHY:        On August 5, 2009, Cleveland City Council passed a resolution asking GCRTA to meeting with Council and other community leaders in order to consider ways to save money without negatively impacting Community Circulator riders and neighborhood routes. Tomorrow’s meeting has been set in response to this request.

 

Community circulators serve as the primary form of transportation for hundreds of people, particularly seniors, who use the Circulators to get to work, the grocery store, school, doctor’s appointments and many other essential locations.  Most of these riders say they would prefer to see increased rates than to lose Community Circulators all together. 

 

“While we understand that GCRTA is facing budget difficulties, we also believe that, if we put our heads together, we can come up with a solution that prevents the stranding of hundreds of people,” said Councilman Michael D. Polensek, lead sponsor on the resolution.

Hell state reps, the county and ODOT should be included and present at this meeting.

RTA to halt community circulator buses in September, but other cuts may loom

Posted by Karen Farkas / The Plain Dealer August 18, 2009 21:22PM

Categories: Real Time News

 

Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer

RTA's circulators were meant to be the primary neighborhood bus service offered outside of rush hours.Related content

 

 

......

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/08/rta_to_halt_community_circulat.html

Hell state reps, the county and ODOT should be included and present at this meeting.

 

Great point! I sure hope the council members don't ask RTA to come and explain the situation. They have no explaining to do. It's the state legislators who need to be called on to the carpet down at City Hall.

 

Start with Ohio Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) and Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland).

While most states provide about 23 percent of transit operating costs, Ohio provides less than 3 percent, RTA said. State funding has been cut 75 percent since 2002.

 

Fares cover about 20 percent of RTA's operating costs with each 25-cent increase generating about $4.5 million a year. Calabrese and board members have said they do not want fares to go any higher after the Sept. 1 increase.

 

More than 80 percent of public transit systems nationwide have seen flat or decreased funding from local, regional, and state sources this year, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

 

These are the key messages for under-informed riders to take away from the article, IMO.  I wish they would read and digest these figures instead of continuing to rage at RTA. 

While most states provide about 23 percent of transit operating costs, Ohio provides less than 3 percent, RTA said. State funding has been cut 75 percent since 2002.

 

Fares cover about 20 percent of RTA's operating costs with each 25-cent increase generating about $4.5 million a year. Calabrese and board members have said they do not want fares to go any higher after the Sept. 1 increase.

 

More than 80 percent of public transit systems nationwide have seen flat or decreased funding from local, regional, and state sources this year, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

 

These are the key messages for under-informed riders to take away from the article, IMO. I wish they would read and digest these figures instead of continuing to rage at RTA.

 

But they won't, cause people are stupid.

You said it, sisterbroccoli. :) 

 

I priced the parking lots around where I work and it looks like even with the rate increase, I'll be slightly better off financially continuing to take the rapid to work.  With the daycare drop off and pick up and the delays in getting to work when using RTA, I will have to work 8-5 now instead of 7:30-4:30, which sucks rocks, but what can you do.  At least I won't have to drive to work, this driving sh*t is really annoying me and I've only been back for 4 days.

You said it, sisterbroccoli. :) 

 

I priced the parking lots around where I work and it looks like even with the rate increase, I'll be slightly better off financially continuing to take the rapid to work.  With the daycare drop off and pick up and the delays in getting to work when using RTA, I will have to work 8-5 now instead of 7:30-4:30, which sucks rocks, but what can you do.  At least I won't have to drive to work, this driving sh*t is really annoying me and I've only been back for 4 days.

Sounds like RnR Road Rage is in full affect. 

 

Honey, road rage, is exactly why I don't drive anymore.  I will have a Madea moment and cuss somebody out in a minute.  On the train, I can mind my own damn business and leave the driving to someone else.

You said it, sisterbroccoli. :)

 

I priced the parking lots around where I work and it looks like even with the rate increase, I'll be slightly better off financially continuing to take the rapid to work. With the daycare drop off and pick up and the delays in getting to work when using RTA, I will have to work 8-5 now instead of 7:30-4:30, which sucks rocks, but what can you do. At least I won't have to drive to work, this driving sh*t is really annoying me and I've only been back for 4 days.

Sounds like RnR Road Rage is in full affect.

 

Honey, road rage, is exactly why I don't drive anymore. I will have a Madea moment and cuss somebody out in a minute. On the train, I can mind my own damn business and leave the driving to someone else.

 

Dude, I would get road rage during my 15 minute commute down Chester from DT to UC and back in the evening.  Hence, now I don't arrive at work all p!ssed off any more.

You said it, sisterbroccoli. :) 

 

I priced the parking lots around where I work and it looks like even with the rate increase, I'll be slightly better off financially continuing to take the rapid to work.  With the daycare drop off and pick up and the delays in getting to work when using RTA, I will have to work 8-5 now instead of 7:30-4:30, which sucks rocks, but what can you do.  At least I won't have to drive to work, this driving sh*t is really annoying me and I've only been back for 4 days.

Sounds like RnR Road Rage is in full affect. 

 

Honey, road rage, is exactly why I don't drive anymore.  I will have a Madea moment and cuss somebody out in a minute.  On the train, I can mind my own damn business and leave the driving to someone else.

 

Dude, I would get road rage during my 15 minute commute down Chester from DT to UC and back in the evening.  Hence, now I don't arrive at work all p!ssed off any more.

 

Showing up at work with no stress is a huge plus.  Your day is not ruined before it begins.  Most of the people who are in bad moods when they get to work are drivers.

 

I usually can tell those that drive to the airport, because they are always the one running or begging to cut in front because they were stuck in traffic.

 

To men, people do not understand the HUGE benefit Cleveland has of having a direct connection to the airport.  There is nothing like leaving my building, walking to the corner hopping on the train and riding to the airport, even with a transfer at TC.  I'm not even going to factor in convienice and price if you add in airport parking.

When RTA raises fares .25 next month, will they also be eliminating the fuel-surcharge?  So net, the fare price will be the same?

 

From RTA's press release last year: If additional State funding is not in place by Sept. 1, 2009, fares could change as often as once every three months, depending on what RTA pays for diesel fuel.

  - If the cost of diesel fuel drops below $3 a gallon, the surcharge goes away.

  - If the cost of diesel fuel is between $3 and $4 a gallon, the fuel surcharge is 50 cents.

  -  If the cost rises to $4.01-$4.75, a gallon, the fuel surcharge is 75 cents.

  - If the cost of diesel fuel rises to more than $4.76 a gallon, the fuel surcharge is $1.

 

From the official energy statisitcs source of the US Government: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp Actually, looking at the chart, the fuel charge was supposed to go away by April?  Or am i reading this wrong?

When RTA raises fares .25 next month, will they also be eliminating the fuel-surcharge? So net, the fare price will be the same?

 

From RTA's press release last year: If additional State funding is not in place by Sept. 1, 2009, fares could change as often as once every three months, depending on what RTA pays for diesel fuel.

  - If the cost of diesel fuel drops below $3 a gallon, the surcharge goes away.

- If the cost of diesel fuel is between $3 and $4 a gallon, the fuel surcharge is 50 cents.

- If the cost rises to $4.01-$4.75, a gallon, the fuel surcharge is 75 cents.

- If the cost of diesel fuel rises to more than $4.76 a gallon, the fuel surcharge is $1.

 

From the official energy statisitcs source of the US Government: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp Actually, looking at the chart, the fuel charge was supposed to go away by April? Or am i reading this wrong?

 

The "cost" of diesel fuel is what RTA pays for it. The cost of diesel fuel is locked in at $3.17 for 2009. Because RTA is now purchasing "futures", that figure will fall to $1.85 in 2010. Thus, the fare structure that takes effect Sept. 1, 2009, will expire on March 31, 2010 (as stated in the Riders' Digest customer newsletter). This is the end of the first quarter 2010. In the coming months, the Board of Trustees will review the fare structure that will take effect on April 1, 2010.

^$1.85 for 2010... very nice!  Fuel hedging didn't work out for RTA in 2009, but I have a feeling that $1.85 figure for 2010 will be a steal.

Kudos to my #9 driver (departing W. Prospect at 8:10am) for the past couple months.  We never exchanged names, but he was a nice guy, and I'll miss him driving my route!

Makes sense.  Too bad RTA officials fell for some of the hype of the $4+ per-gallon-is-here-to-stay crowd.  The price fell below $3.17 quite quickly, I think even before January 1st.  But, I understand that kind of gamble happens all the time, with my business and most everyone else's.

 

Has it been quantified how much of the budget deficit is due to overpaying for fuel?