The resolution passed by the Board allows RTA to charge a fuel surcharge of up to 50 cents when gas costs are over $3 a gallon. To ease the burden on consumers, 25 cents took effect last year and 25 cents took effect this year. By April 1, the price RTA pays for a gallon of gas will fall to $1.85, so the fuel surcharge will go away. The Board will have to decide by that date what the future cost of service will be.

So you are saying that the $.25 increase that went in place yesterday is a Fuel Surcharge?  It was not stated that way, I think.  So it appears you are essentially implementing the additional fuel surcharge despite the drop in fuel costs to pay for a drop in sales tax revenue? 

 

So the current fare is $1.75 + $.50 fuel surcharge?

I'm pretty sure they called it a fuel surcharge everywhere I read about it.  I remember it rather distinctly because I said to myself "I can't wait to see the clevelanddotbomb comments".

Okay, once is a fluke.  Twice is bad luck.  Three times, and I'm beyond p!ssed off.  I have officially spent over an hour of my life in the past week waiting for #9 buses that never showed (the 8:10am out of Tower City was MIA again this morning).  I'm swearing off the #9 until someone at RTA can tell me what the hell is going on since the schedule and driver change last week.  I consider myself to be very lucky - there are a million ways for me to get from downtown to University Circle and back, so a missing bus doesn't really mess up my day too badly (besides wasting my time and making me angry).  But what about the people who have places to be along Mayfield?  This is the worst way RTA could be behaving right now with people all up in arms about the fuel surcharge/rate hike.  This matter needs to be resolved ASAP. 

This morning I caught the #55 bus at the corner of Clifton and West 117th at 9:05 a.m. The bus was on time. As usual, it was very full, probably because it is the last of the frequent rush hour service. After this bus, the #55 runs hourly. But this bus had more standees than I'm used to. Before we got to the Shoreway, there were 20 standees on it. Most of the passengers appeared to be college-age -- the #55 travels through downtown to CSU.

 

Increasingly, passengers were having to pay at the front, get off (because there were too many standing near the front) and then re-board at the second door and squeeze on. Finally, we pulled up to the stop at the corner of Clifton and Baltic where three people wanted to board. The bus driver opened his door but saw there was no more standing room up front. So he asked out loud "Is there any more room back there?" No one responded. So the driver closed the doors and left the three people standing at the curb with looks of disbelief on their faces.

 

I felt sorry for them because there wouldn't be another #55 bus for one hour. I wish RTA would add one bus departing at about 9:15 a.m. from the Rocky River Loop to ease the overcrowding on this last rush-hour bus.

I'm pretty sure they called it a fuel surcharge everywhere I read about it.  I remember it rather distinctly because I said to myself "I can't wait to see the clevelanddotbomb comments".

The official RTA press release makes no use of the words "fuel surcharge".  (Therefore, I'd guess the news articles on it did not?)

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1334

I'm pretty sure they called it a fuel surcharge everywhere I read about it.  I remember it rather distinctly because I said to myself "I can't wait to see the clevelanddotbomb comments".

The official RTA press release makes no use of the words "fuel surcharge".  (Therefore, I'd guess the news articles on it did not?)

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1334

 

You might need to look back at previous press releases

This morning I caught the #55 bus at the corner of Clifton and West 117th at 9:05 a.m. The bus was on time. As usual, it was very full, probably because it is the last of the frequent rush hour service. After this bus, the #55 runs hourly. But this bus had more standees than I'm used to. Before we got to the Shoreway, there were 20 standees on it. Most of the passengers appeared to be college-age -- the #55 travels through downtown to CSU.

 

Increasingly, passengers were having to pay at the front, get off (because there were too many standing near the front) and then re-board at the second door and squeeze on. Finally, we pulled up to the stop at the corner of Clifton and Baltic where three people wanted to board. The bus driver opened his door but saw there was no more standing room up front. So he asked out loud "Is there any more room back there?" No one responded. So the driver closed the doors and left the three people standing at the curb with looks of disbelief on their faces.

 

I felt sorry for them because there wouldn't be another #55 bus for one hour. I wish RTA would add one bus departing at about 9:15 a.m. from the Rocky River Loop to ease the overcrowding on this last rush-hour bus.

 

This is pretty much how it was for me EVERY DAY when I rode the bus from strongsville when we went down to 1 car.  The stop I could walk to was the last one before the flyer got on the freeway, so it was always jammed with people as it filled up completely at the park and ride - all the seats and then all the standing room, so those at my stop would often be left behind as 2 or 3 buses went by that were so packed they couldn't fit anyone else on, the driver shaking their head or stopping briefly to tell you they're full, or if you were lucky, everyone cramming together like sardines to try to squeeze you on. There were plenty of rides where the bus was so full you didn't even have to hold on to anything to stay upright because you were literally shoulder to shoulder with people like a sardine, with everyone apologizing for their This sticking into your That, etc.  When you couldn't get on for 3 consecutive buses, you'd end up waiting 40 minutes sometimes, and out in the open in the winter, it was awful. I had to get a car that next fall because I couldn't contemplate another winter like that. 

 

Exiting at night was even worse because all the standees have to file off the bus to let the one or two people out at each stop before the park and ride. As much as I want to move back to the W side, I dread the day I have to start taking the bus again.

I'm pretty sure they called it a fuel surcharge everywhere I read about it.  I remember it rather distinctly because I said to myself "I can't wait to see the clevelanddotbomb comments".

The official RTA press release makes no use of the words "fuel surcharge".  (Therefore, I'd guess the news articles on it did not?)

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1334

 

You might need to look back at previous press releases

 

I am well aware of the 2008 press releases.

This morning I caught the #55 bus at the corner of Clifton and West 117th at 9:05 a.m. The bus was on time. As usual, it was very full, probably because it is the last of the frequent rush hour service. After this bus, the #55 runs hourly. But this bus had more standees than I'm used to. Before we got to the Shoreway, there were 20 standees on it. Most of the passengers appeared to be college-age -- the #55 travels through downtown to CSU.

 

Increasingly, passengers were having to pay at the front, get off (because there were too many standing near the front) and then re-board at the second door and squeeze on. Finally, we pulled up to the stop at the corner of Clifton and Baltic where three people wanted to board. The bus driver opened his door but saw there was no more standing room up front. So he asked out loud "Is there any more room back there?" No one responded. So the driver closed the doors and left the three people standing at the curb with looks of disbelief on their faces.

 

I felt sorry for them because there wouldn't be another #55 bus for one hour. I wish RTA would add one bus departing at about 9:15 a.m. from the Rocky River Loop to ease the overcrowding on this last rush-hour bus.

 

This is pretty much how it was for me EVERY DAY when I rode the bus from strongsville when we went down to 1 car.  The stop I could walk to was the last one before the flyer got on the freeway, so it was always jammed with people as it filled up completely at the park and ride - all the seats and then all the standing room, so those at my stop would often be left behind as 2 or 3 buses went by that were so packed they couldn't fit anyone else on, the driver shaking their head or stopping briefly to tell you they're full, or if you were lucky, everyone cramming together like sardines to try to squeeze you on. There were plenty of rides where the bus was so full you didn't even have to hold on to anything to stay upright because you were literally shoulder to shoulder with people like a sardine, with everyone apologizing for their This sticking into your That, etc.  When you couldn't get on for 3 consecutive buses, you'd end up waiting 40 minutes sometimes, and out in the open in the winter, it was awful. I had to get a car that next fall because I couldn't contemplate another winter like that. 

 

Exiting at night was even worse because all the standees have to file off the bus to let the one or two people out at each stop before the park and ride. As much as I want to move back to the W side, I dread the day I have to start taking the bus again.

I've heard that abouth the 251.  As a regular on many other west side busses/rail, I can say they are not all like that.  Standing occurs at peak times sometimes, but it is not nearly like what you describe.

Sounds like a good argument for BRT up Clifton!

^Heck, I'd love to see more standees -- would mean RTA's moving more people... I wonder if RTA's considering more articulated/extra-long buses similar to (but not as sophisticated/expensive as) Health Line BRTs.  I would think that with fewer runs coupled with their much greater capacity would represent a cost savings, even figuring in the volatile fuel charge.

 

BTW, I still wish RTA would implement my plan of routing to/terminating more buses at Rapid stations... the 55s diverting to West Blvd/Cudell Red Line stop and many of the W. 25 and Lorain Ave. buses to the W. 25/Ohio City Rapid would be just one example... I think RTA wastes way too much fuel on delivering 1-seat rides to Public Square while bypassing many Rapid stops that obviously utilize trains of higher capacity and speed to the same place... sure, you'd lose people (like we haven't been with Circulator and other cuts?) but in the long run, you'd make the Rapid stronger while saving fuel and, also, diminishing the buses downtown as well.

Sounds like a good argument for BRT up Clifton!

 

Are the 22 and the 26 more crowded than the 55?  I ask since the 22 and the 26 have been given the new articulated buses.

The 55's that go through Rocky River probably do not have space on the road for the new artic buses.  The current buses can barely maneuver around orange barrels.

Are the 22 and the 26 more crowded than the 55?  I ask since the 22 and the 26 have been given the new articulated buses.

 

I was unaware RTA was running articulateds... Good for them.

Are the 22 and the 26 more crowded than the 55? I ask since the 22 and the 26 have been given the new articulated buses.

 

I was unaware RTA was running articulateds... Good for them.

 

They're new - just went into service a couple weeks ago.  They look exactly like the 2200-2800 series buses, just longer.

This is what I read.  I can see where someone can interpret it as RTA trying to weasel around falling sales tax revenue; however, I can just as easily see it as RTA wouldn't be in such bad shape from falling tax revenues if they were paying closer to todays market rate fuel costs (which is how I chose to interpret it).

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1251621023114680.xml&coll=2

 

RTA inscreasing fares by 25 cents on Tuesday to offset higher fuel costs

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Karen Farkas

Plain Dealer Reporter

It cost only 25 cents to ride an RTA bus or rapid in 1975. On Tuesday that's how much most cash fares will increase for the second time in less than a year.

 

The fare increases are tied to the price of diesel fuel and are set to expire next April 1. But the total 50-cent increase is expected to be made permanent in April by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority board, which is facing a $20 million deficit next year. ...

 

 

Hedging fuel purchases is the correct thing to do for ANY transportation company IMO.

 

It saved Southwest Airlines @ss last 2 years. I agree. Don't get me started on Marginal Prices...

Hedging fuel purchases is the correct thing to do for ANY transportation company IMO.

 

It saved Southwest Airlines @ss last 2 years. I agree. Don't get me started on Marginal Prices...

 

I think you mean 12 years.  they are the masters of fuel hedging.

With my bus history as of late, I've become a habitual reader of the Riders' Alerts page on RTA's website.  There's a new press release today:

 

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1338

 

September 4, 2009

 

 

 

New Weekly Shopper Service could help former Community Circulator customers

 

 

 

One-year pilot project may start in January 2010

 

 

CLEVELAND – Officials of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) today announced that they would like to institute a new pilot project, Weekly Shopper Service, to help customers who now ride Community Circulator routes. The one-year pilot project would begin in January 2010, and be evaluated after several months.

 

 

 

This offer is in response to comments received from customers of the Community Circulator service, which will be eliminated on Sept. 20, as RTA works to eliminate a deficit in the 2009 operating budget. The deficit is being caused by an $18 million shortfall in revenue from the countywide sales tax.

 

 

 

“We think that this proposed jointly funded proposal is innovative, will be very responsive to the needs of many, and much appreciated by our community,” says Joe Calabrese, RTA CEO and General Manager. “This service will be valuable to those with limited options, while also limiting RTA’s financial exposure. It can be a great model for jointly funding projects going forward”.

 

 

 

Details of the proposal:

 

 

 

RTA proposes to work with elected officials and Community Development Corporations in the 12 communities where Circulator service now exists, to determine interest in the weekly service, and to find joint financial sponsors. The service is designed predominately, but not exclusively, for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

This service will operate one day per week, for about 6 hours daily, to shuttle customers from major residential complexes and high-density areas to shopping and medical facilities.

Specific pick-up locations and stops will be developed through a public involvement process, so that a regular schedule can be developed and distributed.

RTA will provide the vehicles and 50 percent of the operating costs, if sponsors can be identified to fund the balance. The estimated cost for each party is $15,000 annually. Fares will be charged to help offset vehicle maintenance and fuel costs. If all 12 Community Circulator communities participate in this pilot, RTA's annual financial commitment will be approximately $180,000.

Timeline: If there is interest in such a service, planning and budgeting can take place in October and November. The service can be promoted in December and begin operation in January 2010.

 

 

Sept. 20 service changes finalized

 

 

In related news, RTA has finalized plans for service changes that take effect Sept. 20. The changes will help RTA balance its 2009 budget and help resolve an $18 million shortfall in revenue from its share of the countywide sales tax.

 

 

 

RTA is eliminating all 12 Community Circulator routes. RTA recently held 12 informational meetings along these routes, to help customers plan their trips after Sept. 20. More than 700 persons attended. Community Circulators represent about 2.5 percent of RTA’s customers

 

 

 

As a result of these meetings, RTA is making these changes to existing big-bus service, to help serve Community Circulator customers.

 

 

 

#49 Center Ridge – Extend route from St. John West Shore Hospital to Crocker Park, which is currently served by the #808 and #822. End route at Westgate Transit Center, for connection with other services, instead of the Triskett Rapid Transit Station. Maintain 7-day service, with unchanged hours of operation.

#46 Rocky River-Westlake – Discontinue evening and weekend service. Add mid-day weekday service, replacing the #808 service on Detroit Road, and continue rush-hour service. End route at Westgate Transit Center, for connection with other services, instead of at the Triskett Rapid Transit Station. Rename route Detroit-Wagar.

#43 Lake-Wolf – Continue to operate 2 early morning and 2 early evening trips on Wolf Road, which is currently served by the #808.

#28 Euclid – Shift some weekday daytime trips to East 222nd Street, replacing #806 service on that street.

#16 East 55 – Shift some weekday midday trips to serve Fleet Avenue and Broadway, replacing #805 service.

#81 Tremont-Storer – Change route so it always serves West 25th Street between Lorain and Detroit avenues, where the #807 and other routes currently operate. On weekdays only, during the hours that the #807 operates, divert all trips to serve the stop at Lakeview Terrace.

 

 

Other service changes

 

 

The following big-bus routes are being eliminated:

 

#18 West 11-Hinckley

#33 Central, Customers may consider using the #8 Cedar or the #11 Quincy-Buckeye.

#87 Westwood

#96 Butternut

 

 

Major modifications to big-bus routes

 

#5 Chagrin, service to and from Chagrin Falls will not be restored.

#68 Bagley, service will be discontinued, except weekday service between the Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus and Southwest General Hospital.

#70 Bunts-W. 150, on weekends, only the part of the route between the Triskett and Puritas Red Line stations will operate. The hours of operation will be 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

#76 Broadway-Turner, weekend service hours will be 6 a.m.-7 p.m.

#83 West 130, all weekend trips will follow the weekday evening alignment. Weekend hours of operation will be 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

#86 Warren-Berea, weekend service hours will be 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

#88 Broadway-Northfield, weekend service will be discontinued.

 

 

New timetables needed for

 

 

#6 HealthLine, #19

#22, #23, #26

#40, #50, #52, #75

#251, #451, #263, #783, #785

 

Where to get a new timetable

rideRTA.com schedules page

RTA’s Main Office, 1240 W. Sixth St.

Customer Service Center at Tower City

 

 

For more information, or to receive a new timetable by mail, call the RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500.

 

 

 

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:

 

Jerry Masek, RTA, 216-566-5211

 

Dr. Broc and KJP, your messages have been forwarded to the proper persons. Thanks for writing.

Thanks.

 

BTW, to all of you who have posted articles in the past on this and other threads, please edit them to conform to the advisory in the red box at the top of this page. If your articles don't have web links, please remove them. I ask you to complete your editing/deletions by Tuesday.

I have just sifted through 157 pages of this thread. It took me more than four hours to cut articles down to just the weblink, headline, author and first paragraph (or two if the first paragraph was real short). I removed any article that didn't have a weblink.

 

And after sifting through all of these articles I've come to realize that GCRTA's financial nemesis isn't just the falling county sales tax, or the cuts to state and federal funding. It's also the Almagamated Transit Union's stranglehold on GCRTA management.

 

Surely the ATU Local 268, if asked, would voluntarily make concessions in pay and fringe benefits to save jobs (e.g. 72 percent of the cost of running a bus is labor, whereas on other transportation carriers labor costs are typically 50 percent of operating expenses). They haven't.

 

Surely the ATU Local 268 would proposed relaxed work rules so RTA could be more efficient in their operations (e.g. why does RTA have separate train operators for their Central Rail Facility when the drivers out on the mainline are eminently capable of pulling a train in/out of Central Rail?). But they haven't.

 

Surely they might take a vocal position to fight for more state and federal funding for transit (e.g. I'm pretty involved in state transportation policymaking discussions and I never hear a peep from any ATU local). And that silence is perhaps the most surprising since more funding means more jobs.

 

I am going to learn more about the ATU labor issues and see how the share of labor costs compare between transit agencies, and how the share of labor costs among all operating expenses at transit agencies compare with other transportation providers and companies.

Mr. Maesk, why is it that you continue to waste minutes if not hours out of your day to respond to the various complaints and negative responses on the Cleveland.com forums?  It almost sounds like you're attempting to change the minds and opinions of the negative naysayers on these boards, but after the many years of you coming on here and explaining yourself can't you realize your words are wasted?  You will not change minds.  You will only add fuel to the fire of those opposed to the very concept of RTA and its attempt to provide adequate public transportation to the citizens of the region.

^ I have been on-line with comments for just over a year. I am starting to become more selective in which comments I respond to. My goal is to correct inaccuracies, not change opinions. Thanks for your note.

Jerry (and JetDog), I'd like your thoughts.

 

I just flew in to Hopkins and, 1st experienced the new Red Line POP on my way to connecting with the Blue/Green lines at Tower City.

 

THE GOOD: As for the fare card vending machines, themselves, although I have some issues (see below), I like that they take credit cards.  I also like the fact at Tower City, only 1 attendant was needed; no more need for a bunch of attendants counting fares for the rush crowds; even at the Red Line exit turnstiles, which is new for Red Liners, it was mostly a breeze for passengers and personnel.

 

We finally have an off-peak, honest-to-goodness rapid transit: muli-unit trains, all doors opening at stations, quick passenger entry/exit, drivers focussing on driving and not holding trains up counting pennies from single-file passengers -- all leading to much shorter station dwell time and a faster ride, over all.

 

THE BAD: the vending machines aren't the best.  They're a bit complicated; I'm a vet of all kinds of ticket/fare card vending machines, from air flight to transit systems, yet RTA's stalled me a bit, though I made it through (I confess, I haven't had time to closely study up on the literature RTA has posted and has in slick form at stations/on trains -- my bad); still, RTA's is trickier/tougher than most and many newbies like me simply got stuck.  There are too many phases/Qs passengers have to go through.  Also, I wish RTA had touch screen technology like New York's MTA; it's much easier than lining up the arrows, buttons with the particular line (and if you hit the wrong button you may have to start over).

 

THE UGLY -- Why RTA chose to have just 2 vending machines at the airport is beyond me -- I note there are, also, 2 machines at E. 34th where RTA gets, what? about 25 passengers all day????  Plus the airport, as much as any station, gets more newcomers to Cleveland and/or the Rapid, which will tend to hold things up --- not only do you need more machines at the airport, but initially, I think you need an attendant to help people coming from planes.

 

... these are just my $.02  (... sorry MTS)

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1339

 

RTA breaks ground at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, on the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center next to the Wolstein Center.

I agree... it takes a few times working the vending machines before you "get it."  They're too low to the ground, too.  I'm not sure which button is usually matching up to the screen selection, so I have to bend down to see.  The touch-screen (almost video-game-like) machines in Chicago and NYC are wonderful.

some good news:

 

The U.S. DOT announced today that 43 local transit agencies from more than two dozen states would share the $100 million in competitive clean-transport grants included in this winter's $787 billion economic stimulus law.

 

Ohio:  Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (Cleveland), $2,257,000.  Facility Energy Conservation Project:  Based on the results of a comprehensive conservation analysis, GCRTA will implement a conservation project with energy procurements and retrofit resulting in significant cost savings.  Includes replacement of lighting fixtures, control systems, and roof upgrades at selected facilities.

 

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2009/09/21/stimulus-grants-for-green-transpo/

 

Every little bit helps. But I would love to see the feds increase operating funding tied to reducing labor costs to about 50 percent of each transit agency's budget. That combination should allow more expansion, more service, more hiring and keep the union dues flowing.

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1345

 

RTA news

 

Sept. 18, 2009

 

RTA strengthens cell phone policy

 

CLEVELAND – Effective today, all employees are prohibited from having a cell phone on their person while operating a bus or train at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA).

 

Policy details

 

The prohibition includes cell phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants such as BlackBerry devices, electronic music devices, wireless headsets or any other electronic communication or listening device.

 

“The use of cell phones and other similar devices is a growing problem, both nationally and here at home,” says Michael York, RTA’s Deputy General Manager of Operations. “It is a safety violation that we can neither tolerate nor afford.”

 

While on duty, operators must keep cell phones and other devices separate from their person. They can be stored on-board in personal bags or purses. This reduces the temptation to respond to a phone call or check a text message.

 

Cell phones can only be used when the operator is on layover, the vehicle is stopped, the parking brake is set, and they have left the driver’s seat. The same rules apply if an operator has to use a personal cell phone to contact a dispatcher.

 

Zero tolerance

 

York says the policy carries a “zero tolerance.” Employees will be terminated for a first offense, if the cell phone use is witnessed by another RTA employee or supervisor, or photographic or video documentation is provided by a customer.

 

Background

 

For years, RTA has prohibited cell phone use by bus and rail operators. The policy has been updated and strengthened several times, as the popularity of cell phones grew.

 

Both the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration are considering regulatory prohibitions on the use of cell phone devices. Just last week, the National Transportation Safety Board prohibited its employees from using “any wireless device behind the wheel while on duty.”

 

Kudos to RTA for implementing this stronger, stricter rule.

^Agreed.  Good move RTA.  Don't be afraid to report violations, frequent riders!

Q: Came in from someone who is NOT on Urban Ohio, but I found the answer interesting, and want to share it with you. The question concerned deviations from a route headed for downtown Cleveland.

 

A: The operators of the #263 and other lines are allowed to take alternate routes into downtown when traffic is backed up on I-71 or I-90 in the AM. The driver simply calls and informs Service Quality what they are doing. Our drivers are given the flexibility to make this call.

 

Q: Came in from someone who is NOT on Urban Ohio, but I found the answer interesting, and want to share it with you. The question concerned deviations from a route headed for downtown Cleveland.

 

A: The operators of the #263 and other lines are allowed to take alternate routes into downtown when traffic is backed up on I-71 or I-90 in the AM. The driver simply calls and informs Service Quality what they are doing. Our drivers are given the flexibility to make this call.

 

 

So that would explain why i saw a 39F heading east on St Clair last week during afternoon rush hour.

Q: Came in from someone who is NOT on Urban Ohio, but I found the answer interesting, and want to share it with you. The question concerned deviations from a route headed for downtown Cleveland.

 

A: The operators of the #263 and other lines are allowed to take alternate routes into downtown when traffic is backed up on I-71 or I-90 in the AM. The driver simply calls and informs Service Quality what they are doing. Our drivers are given the flexibility to make this call.

 

 

So that would explain why i saw a 39F heading east on St Clair last week during afternoon rush hour.

The 39F has taken St Clair a lot this summer with the sewer construction on 90. It seems like every time I ride it anymore they take an alternate route.

The 39F has taken St Clair a lot this summer with the sewer construction on 90. It seems like every time I ride it anymore they take an alternate route.

 

Given the way 90 has been backing up with this construction, it's not surprising. I've actually taken to coming in early in order to be able to be on the 4:05pm out of downtown, which, while it hasn't been rerouted, has been slowed nearly 10 minutes just about every day. I was glad to see state troopers out yesterday ticketing cars riding the shoulder.

 

Take heart -- the construction should only last until October, which is closer than we'd all like to admit. Also, the improvements to St. Clair in midtown have made taking that route a little less bone-jarring.

The 39F has taken St Clair a lot this summer with the sewer construction on 90. It seems like every time I ride it anymore they take an alternate route.

 

Given the way 90 has been backing up with this construction, it's not surprising. I've actually taken to coming in early in order to be able to be on the 4:05pm out of downtown, which, while it hasn't been rerouted, has been slowed nearly 10 minutes just about every day. I was glad to see state troopers out yesterday ticketing cars riding the shoulder.

 

Take heart -- the construction should only last until October, which is closer than we'd all like to admit. Also, the improvements to St. Clair in midtown have made taking that route a little less bone-jarring.

 

Speaking of driving on the shoulder, are RTA busses still allowed to use the shoulder when traffic is backed up?

^ Yes, RTA is allowed to use the shoulder, but only on certain areas of certain streets.

Okay, so I kind of have a general gripe with respect to the drivers (or at least some of them).  I was on the bus yesterday afternoon, and I heard two separate conversations between the driver and two passengers.  The first was an old woman complaining about the fare machines, and the driver was full in the conversation agreeing with her and saying things like "Yeah, you never know if a machine's gonna be broken and take your money."  Then later, the driver was having a conversation with a middle-aged gentlemen where this passenger was complaining that the Healthline was BRT and not trains.  The driver was agreeing with him.  I had to restrain myself from marching to the front and talking about the funding necessary for trains vs. a BRT route.

 

It seems counterproductive to RTA to have its employees batting for the naysayer team.  This isn't the first time I've heard driver/passenger conversations that have been negative towards RTA.  I don't know if its a matter of undereducation of the facts on the part of the drivers or just their own personal opinions, but if your main interaction with the general public is negative, then the public's perception of RTA is going to be negative.

 

And that is my rant for the day, lol.

Okay, so I kind of have a general gripe with respect to the drivers (or at least some of them).  I was on the bus yesterday afternoon, and I heard two separate conversations between the driver and two passengers.  The first was an old woman complaining about the fare machines, and the driver was full in the conversation agreeing with her and saying things like "Yeah, you never know if a machine's gonna be broken and take your money."  Then later, the driver was having a conversation with a middle-aged gentlemen where this passenger was complaining that the Healthline was BRT and not trains.  The driver was agreeing with him.  I had to restrain myself from marching to the front and talking about the funding necessary for trains vs. a BRT route.

 

It seems counterproductive to RTA to have its employees batting for the naysayer team.  This isn't the first time I've heard driver/passenger conversations that have been negative towards RTA.  I don't know if its a matter of undereducation of the facts on the part of the drivers or just their own personal opinions, but if your main interaction with the general public is negative, then the public's perception of RTA is going to be negative.

 

And that is my rant for the day, lol.

 

Next time take out your PDA take a pic or record the convo and send it to Jerry.

 

Its inappropriate behaviour

Without actually having heard the conversations in question, they don't sound that out of line IMO. I understand your desire to have the drivers knowledgable and positive but I think they should be entitled to share their opinion if asked. If they're just randomly whining about how RTA is lousy to every rider, that's one thing, but I think a bus driver in a casual conversation should be allowed to express a preference for light rail over BRT. Costs aside, I would think most of us would prefer light rail too. So from my perspective the drivers were just being ignorant, not inappropriate. Ignorance is everywhere and you can't stop all of it.

 

 

Without actually having heard the conversations in question, they don't sound that out of line IMO. I understand your desire to have the drivers knowledgable and positive but I think they should be entitled to share their opinion if asked. If they're just randomly whining about how RTA is lousy to every rider, that's one thing, but I think a bus driver in a casual conversation should be allowed to express a preference for light rail over BRT. Costs aside, I would think most of us would prefer light rail too. So from my perspective the drivers were just being ignorant, not inappropriate. Ignorance is everywhere and you can't stop all of it.

 

 

 

Have you own opinion off company hours.  While driving the bus, it's inappropriate.

the union members, including drivers, are also working without a contract....expired july 31...and doesn't seem too close to being resolved although there is a mediator involved. 

 

i believe a notice to walk off/strike was also filed in august at some point, but haven't heard much that this would actually happen, probably more of a negotiating tactic and keeping options open.

Q: Came in from someone who is NOT on Urban Ohio, but I found the answer interesting, and want to share it with you. The question concerned deviations from a route headed for downtown Cleveland.

 

A: The operators of the #263 and other lines are allowed to take alternate routes into downtown when traffic is backed up on I-71 or I-90 in the AM. The driver simply calls and informs Service Quality what they are doing. Our drivers are given the flexibility to make this call.

 

My only complaint about the 263 drivers is those that take the West 14th exit into the Vortex of Death (Roundabout/traffic circle, if you prefer), most use the wrong lane to proceed to West 14th North.  They may have to kill someone someday to finally stop making the illegal turn.

 

The issue is that coming from I-71 North, the only lane to West 14th North is the left lane, which uses the inner circle lane.  Most operators use the right lane and proceed (illegally) around the outside circle lane to West 14th, which is extremely dangerous because cars in both lanes are allowed to proceed straight onto Steelyard Drive.  Some day a RTA driver will probably drill a car in the inner lane doing just that.  Not sure why the drivers cannot read simple traffic signs.

 

If you want evidence, just stand at the intersection and watch.  In my experience, they use the wrong lane MORE often the the correct lane to get onto West 14th north.

http://www.riderta.com/nu_ridersalerts_list.asp?listingid=1296

 

Waterfront Line Maintenance 10/5/09 - 10/24/09

 

 

Waterfront Line rail service will be suspended between Tower City and South Harbor (Muny Lot) for track and maintenance work starting Monday, October 5, 2009 through Saturday, October 24, 2009.

 

Monday through Friday, riders traveling to/from North Coast Station or Muny Lot should board the #47 Loop bus route on West Roadway at Superior. Passengers wishing to travel to/from Settlers Landing or Flats East Bank should board the B or E Line Trolleys and exit along W 9.

 

On Saturdays and Sundays, a shuttle bus will operate between Tower City/Public Square (in front of Positively Cleveland) and the North Coast Harbor Area (North Coast – E 9 Station, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center). The service will operate every 30 minutes between approximately 9:00am and 6:00pm.

 

Regular Waterfront Line Rail service will resume on Sunday, October 25, 2009.

 

RTA regrets any inconvenience to its customers during this time.

 

^Anyone know why this maintenance is going to take 3 weeks?  Seems like a long time for such a short section of track.  Are they just going to take their time (no overtime/weekends) because it's a lightly used line?

^Anyone know why this maintenance is going to take 3 weeks? Seems like a long time for such a short section of track. Are they just going to take their time (no overtime/weekends) because it's a lightly used line?

 

i believe this is the reconstruction of the two chutes that exit from tower city.  they are being completely rebuilt.

^Anyone know why this maintenance is going to take 3 weeks? Seems like a long time for such a short section of track. Are they just going to take their time (no overtime/weekends) because it's a lightly used line?

 

i believe this is the reconstruction of the two chutes that exit from tower city. they are being completely rebuilt.

Any idea why they need to be completely rebuilt?

^Anyone know why this maintenance is going to take 3 weeks? Seems like a long time for such a short section of track. Are they just going to take their time (no overtime/weekends) because it's a lightly used line?

 

i believe this is the reconstruction of the two chutes that exit from tower city. they are being completely rebuilt.

Any idea why they need to be completely rebuilt?

 

something was wrong with the concrete plinths on the one chute - not sure exactly.  as this section is less than 15 years old, it seems like an early failure.  it is a pretty steep incline though, so maybe something is shifting on the hill, idk.

 

here is the language from the press release from the board meeting:

"2009-82, RTA will spend $350,000 of federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to rebuild the outbound chute on the Waterfront Line. This is a safety upgrade on the section of track from Tower City to Robert Lockwood Drive. Delta Railroad Construction of Ashtabula will do the work. Four Disadvantaged Business Enterprises will share 11 percent of the project, or $40,500. Work will be scheduled so as not to interfere with Browns’ games."

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1344

^Thanks. I guess it's nice that they're avoiding the Browns' home games, that seems to be the only time they get significant ridership on the line.