Buttons for Facebook and Twitter have been added to most, if not all, Web pages, which is a far more realistic goal than re-doing it from top to bottom. To answer your question, there is no plan right now to completely redo the site, which changes daily. Our goal is to make sure accurate information is posted as quickly as possible, in a format that is easy-to-read. Thanks for asking,

 

Jerry, per my earlier post, may I suggest that someone at RTA spend a few minutes on the fare page (http://www.riderta.com/fares/) to delete the out of date content (e.g., loop bus fares) and better explain the transfer policy and where, for example, someone could buy a "1-trip" or "two-trip" card and how they differ from "1-ride" or "2-ride" farecards?  I don't say this to gratuitously criticize; I think it would be very helpful for new riders and visitors.

^ Thanks for your sugestion. FYI, there is no "out-of-date" content on the page. Regarding the $1.50 cash fare for loops and trolleys...

 

* The #47 route is considered a loop, and the $1.50 fare applies.

* Although the trolleys are free (fares underwritten by Dollar Bank), the $1.50 cash fare is what would be charged if there was no sponsor.

 

We'll will revisit the copy to see if it can be clarified. FYI, you take one "trip" in the morning to get to work, but that "trip" may include several "rides", such as a ride on the Red Line and then a ride on the HealthLine.

<<I fail to see the argument in not advertising a student discount.>>

 

ALL students attend a school. ALL students are aware that tickets are there to be purchased at a discount. We therefore have 100 percent penetration of the potential market. There is no reason to market the student tickets anywhere else. The same cannot be said for any other class of tickets. Therefore, we also make them available on our Web site, at neighborhood supermarkets, and other sites.

 

I am sorry that you do not agree with this. You certainly have a right to your opinion. There is not much more I can say on this. May I respectfully suggest we move on to other topics?

FYI, you take one "trip" in the morning to get to work, but that "trip" may include several "rides", such as a ride on the Red Line and then a ride on the HealthLine.

 

That would be a good addition to the fares page.

<<I fail to see the argument in not advertising a student discount.>>

 

ALL students attend a school. ALL students are aware that tickets are there to be purchased at a discount. We therefore have 100 percent penetration of the potential market. There is no reason to market the student tickets anywhere else. The same cannot be said for any other class of tickets. Therefore, we also make them available on our Web site, at neighborhood supermarkets, and other sites.

 

I am sorry that you do not agree with this. You certainly have a right to your opinion. There is not much more I can say on this. May I respectfully suggest we move on to other topics?

 

One question has not been answered:  How do parents pay for said student passes?  Send cash to school?  Included in fees? 

^ Thanks for your sugestion. FYI, there is no "out-of-date" content on the page. Regarding the $1.50 cash fare for loops and trolleys...

 

* The #47 route is considered a loop, and the $1.50 fare applies.

* Although the trolleys are free (fares underwritten by Dollar Bank), the $1.50 cash fare is what would be charged if there was no sponsor.

 

We'll will revisit the copy to see if it can be clarified. FYI, you take one "trip" in the morning to get to work, but that "trip" may include several "rides", such as a ride on the Red Line and then a ride on the HealthLine.

 

Thanks, Jerry.  Seriously though, if the trolleys are currently free to passengers (which they are), why not say so on the "fares" page rather than saying they cost $1.50?  If not out of date, the current page is needlessly misleading.

 

And while I understand the conceptual difference between a "ride" and a "trip", the web page doesn't adequately explain it.  Is there a price difference between a "ride" and a "trip"?  Which does the $2.25 cash care buy?  Even as an occasional rider, I have no idea how much it would cost me to take the Red Line from the Airport and transfer to the Health Line for a ride to the Clinic.  Will the $2.25 cover this?  Totally unclear from the web site.

 

Also, I believe there are a few old references to the "Silver Line" on your site that need to be updated.

FYI, you take one "trip" in the morning to get to work, but that "trip" may include several "rides", such as a ride on the Red Line and then a ride on the HealthLine.

 

That would be a good addition to the fares page.

done

FYI

 

The following sentence has been added to the fares page. It should provide direction to parents who have Web access, and duplicates information already provided by schools to students and parents.

 

"RTA offers student farecards to schools only (grades K-12). Students who would like to purchase these farecards should contact their school."

And while I understand the conceptual difference between a "ride" and a "trip", the web page doesn't adequately explain it.  Is there a price difference between a "ride" and a "trip"?  Which does the $2.25 cash care buy?  Even as an occasional rider, I have no idea how much it would cost me to take the Red Line from the Airport and transfer to the Health Line for a ride to the Clinic.  Will the $2.25 cover this?  Totally unclear from the web site.

 

Jerry, your transfer FAQ does indeed make it clear that the $2.25 cash fare does not cover transfers, so my apologies for the dumb question.

 

I think what's still missing though is better explaining where riders can buy 1 and 2 trip cards.  Are they available from vendors?  Do any RTA machines sell them?  Shouldn't they be included in the fare cost table at the top of the fares page?

FYI

 

The following sentence has been added to the fares page. It should provide direction to parents who have Web access, and duplicates information already provided by schools to students and parents.

 

"RTA offers student farecards to schools only (grades K-12). Students who would like to purchase these farecards should contact their school."

 

Good to hear--hopefully will help to quell any backlash on the non-paying fare jumper minors!

Strap, buy the multiple TRIP passes, i buy the 5 trip passes. they have built in transfer up to 2.5 hours so you can hop on the red line then transfer to the health line. you can buy those at tower city

 

https://websrvor15.gcrta.org:8003/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10024

^Thanks, CTown'sFinest, I think I will buy a 5-tripper when next in town so I can skip the fare machine at the airport or HealthLine station for my following visit.  Do you know where I can buy a 1-trip or 2-trip card, though, and how much they cost?

Ok, I have a question.  I'm new to Cuyahoga County, so I'm relatively new to public transit.  I was wondering about service from the West 117th area of Cleveland to the local hospitals, particularly the VA and UH.  Thanks in advance!

Ok, I have a question.  I'm new to Cuyahoga County, so I'm relatively new to public transit.  I was wondering about service from the West 117th area of Cleveland to the local hospitals, particularly the VA and UH.  Thanks in advance!

 

Sweetie, have you looked at the RTA website itself?

 

Also, if you have a smart phone, you can use google maps.

 

Say you leave from Detroit/117 St.  You can take the 55 downtown and transfer to the Healthline or the Red line to stations in University Circle.

Actually she can just catch the Red Line at the 117th and Madison station and it will take her almost to the steps of UH without a transfer (even closer in 4-5 years when they finish the new Mayfield station...right now would get off at the University Circle - Cedar station).

 

Didn't I read somewhere that you found a place in Birdtown....is that not just right around the corner from the 117th - Madision Red Line Station?

Sweetie, have you looked at the RTA website itself?

 

You're the one who told her to come over to this thread and ask!

 

EDIT: see replies from people who actually know the west side for better info then I could ever give.

Actually she can just catch the Red Line at the 117th and Madison station and it will take her almost to the steps of UH without a transfer (even closer in 4-5 years when they finish the new Mayfield station...right now would get off at the University Circle - Cedar station).

 

Didn't I read somewhere that you found a place in Birdtown....is that not just right around the corner from the 117th - Madision Red Line Station?

 

She just said W 117 street, so I used a common route.

Sweetie, have you looked at the RTA website itself?

 

You're the one who told her to come over to this thread and ask!

 

Emmie, KJP would be the man to ask for this one.  There is bus service which goes from Lakewood to downtown.  No rail.  Hopefully that will change in the next 10 years or so.  There has been talk of thinning out the bus service... although I am not sure whether that actually happened, or is even still in the works.  I would think there is something that will take you from Lakewood to University Circle (where UH and VA are located).  At the very least, you would take a bus into downtown and then either take the Healthline BRT, one of the other RTA buses, or the rapid red line to UC... depending on exactly where you want to be dropped off.

 

Yeah I did ask her to come here, but I still dont know if she checked the website.  The second reason for asking if she hasn't checked she may not know the website and we can inform her.

If you take the Rapid to University Circle station, you can always catch a free CircleLink aka Greenie bus to get to UH or the VA.

(Be warned, the "Greenie" bus is actually blue)

 

http://shuttle.case.edu/circlink.htm

 

Sweetie, have you looked at the RTA website itself?

 

You're the one who told her to come over to this thread and ask!

 

Emmie, KJP would be the man to ask for this one.  There is bus service which goes from Lakewood to downtown.  No rail.  Hopefully that will change in the next 10 years or so.  There has been talk of thinning out the bus service... although I am not sure whether that actually happened, or is even still in the works.  I would think there is something that will take you from Lakewood to University Circle (where UH and VA are located).  At the very least, you would take a bus into downtown and then either take the Healthline BRT, one of the other RTA buses, or the rapid red line to UC... depending on exactly where you want to be dropped off.

 

Yeah I did ask her to come here, but I still dont know if she checked the website.  The second reason for asking if she hasn't checked she may not know the website and we can inform her.

 

And you don't need to know.  All you have to do is suggest.

Sweetie, have you looked at the RTA website itself?

 

You're the one who told her to come over to this thread and ask!

 

Emmie, KJP would be the man to ask for this one.  There is bus service which goes from Lakewood to downtown.  No rail.  Hopefully that will change in the next 10 years or so.  There has been talk of thinning out the bus service... although I am not sure whether that actually happened, or is even still in the works.  I would think there is something that will take you from Lakewood to University Circle (where UH and VA are located).  At the very least, you would take a bus into downtown and then either take the Healthline BRT, one of the other RTA buses, or the rapid red line to UC... depending on exactly where you want to be dropped off.

 

Yeah I did ask her to come here, but I still dont know if she checked the website.  The second reason for asking if she hasn't checked she may not know the website and we can inform her.

 

And you don't need to know.  All you have to do is suggest.

 

Not true.  If she doesn't know the website we could give it to her, perhaps she doesn't understand the site she may need more hand holding, lastly why repeat something she may have already read or found?

 

DAMN.

Wowza, so many great replies so fast!  Yes, I'll be living in Birdtown, so the W117th rapid is like 5 minutes from my house.  I have a background in health care, and now that I'm a LOT closer to alll these hospitals, I'm hoping I'll have more opportunity.  And yes, I looked at the website, but since I'm not familiar with Cleveland AT ALL, I found it to be very confusing.  That's why I came to you for help!

Wowza, so many great replies so fast!  Yes, I'll be living in Birdtown, so the W117th rapid is like 5 minutes from my house.  I have a background in health care, and now that I'm a LOT closer to alll these hospitals, I'm hoping I'll have more opportunity. 

 

There you go.  Then the Red Line would be your preferred line.  but you live in an area where you have options close by!

Come on, guys.  Don't scare away any valuable women from UO!  And yes, the Red Line is your best bet.  Oh and the Case greenies can be white or blue - it depends on the bus.  You can walk to UH from the rapid, but the VA is a hike without a shuttle.

Wowza, so many great replies so fast! Yes, I'll be living in Birdtown, so the W117th rapid is like 5 minutes from my house. I have a background in health care, and now that I'm a LOT closer to alll these hospitals, I'm hoping I'll have more opportunity. And yes, I looked at the website, but since I'm not familiar with Cleveland AT ALL, I found it to be very confusing. That's why I came to you for help!

 

Yes, the RTA web site is indeed confusing, so don't be shy about asking for advice from the crowd here.  There are many regular riders from different parts of the country who can give you good advice.

...depending on what you consider to be a "hike."  It can't be much more than a 1/2 mile (if that) from the 120th/Euclid station, no? 

^That walking distance is definitely more than 1/2 mile.  Closer to 3/4 mile.  Some of the walk is lovely, but the station itself and the walk under the rail overpass is decidedly un-lovely and can be downright creepy, especially in the dark.  If it were me, I would definitely take the shuttle from the UC station, particularly at night or during crummy weather.

^You're probably right.  Extrapolating the distance on google maps, it appears to be closer to 3/4 mile or a full mile.  Still walking distance in my book..... but, yes, for Emmie maybe only during the day and when the weather is nice, depending on how much tougher than you she is ;)

Where I can buy a 1-trip or 2-trip card, and how much they cost?

 

"1-trip" and "2-trip" tickets are only available through authorized agencies, usually social service agencies. These agencies buy tickets in bulk from RTA for their clients to use.

 

A "1-ride" ticket is equal to the cash fare on a bus or Rapid. It does not include transfers. If you are riding a bus (and do not plan to transfer), put the cash fare in the farebox. If you are riding the Red Line or HealthLine (and do not plan to transfer), buy a ticket from the fare vending machines before you board.

 

"2-ride tickets" are only used for special reasons (such as the Ride Happy or Ride Free program) and are not on sale.

 

Thanks for asking.

Welcome to Cleveland Emmie.  I posted some of this in the other thread but I see now where it was moved. The Red line Rapid is wonderful. You will be amazed at how fast it will get you accross town. As far as the stop being around the corner from Birdtown, that is another story.  As far as I know, you can't cut through Union Carbide but you can walk around to Madison. 

 

Some of the Rapid stops have parking available so if it is a really cold day or you will be out late and don't want to walk from the station at night, you may have the option of parking. The RTA system map has a "P" where there are parking lots. 

 

Two weeks ago, I rode the rapid to the W. 117th Madison station and there was a lot of people on and off at that station. From where you are, you  have the option to take several buses as well. There is a bus that runs up and down W. 117th and one on Detroit Ave.  If you want to take the bus to the mall, you can walk up to Detroit Ave. and take the bus west and it goes to a mall.  You can also take a bus downtown but it takes much longer than the Rapid. Once you get to Terminal Tower downtown on the Rapid you can go upstairs and there are a lot of little shops and a coffee place.

RTA buses are suffering 30-60 minute delays in today's lake-effect snowburst with the worst delays on the interstates while RTA's trains are pretty close to on time....

 

Hehehehe  :evil:

Where I can buy a 1-trip or 2-trip card, and how much they cost?

 

"1-trip" and "2-trip" tickets are only available through authorized agencies, usually social service agencies. These agencies buy tickets in bulk from RTA for their clients to use.

 

A "1-ride" ticket is equal to the cash fare on a bus or Rapid. It does not include transfers. If you are riding a bus (and do not plan to transfer), put the cash fare in the farebox. If you are riding the Red Line or HealthLine (and do not plan to transfer), buy a ticket from the fare vending machines before you board.

 

"2-ride tickets" are only used for special reasons (such as the Ride Happy or Ride Free program) and are not on sale.

 

Thanks for asking.

 

Thanks, Jerry!

 

In general, I think visitors and first time riders find fare payment to be one of the most intimidating/confusing parts of transit riding.  I would think about adding a front section to the fares page that describes fare purchase options, what they get you, and where you can buy them, instead of dumping it all in the chart and FAQ format.

 

This is incredibly nerdy (I can't believe I just wrote this out), but I would find something linear like this incredibly helpful (forgive any factual errors):

 

"Transit riders have many options for pay for transit rides.  Paying cash on board your bus (exact change required, bills accepted) or buying a 1-ride ticket from a vending machine at a Red Line or Health Line station (before you board!) entitles you to that bus or rapid transit ride, but not to a free transfers to another transit vehicle.  Buying a 2-ride ticket from a vending machine at a Red Line or Health Line station also entitles you to a second ride on a bus line, rapid transit line or the Health Line, but not to any free transfers.

 

Riders can also use a 5-trip fare card (available at RTA vending machines in Tower City, from our web site, or from independent vendors) to ride a bus, the Health Line or a rapid transit line.  Each "trip" on the fare card entitles a rider to that bus or rapid transit ride as well as to 2 1/2 hours of free transfers to other lines.  (Certain eligible riders can also use 1-trip and 2-trip fare cards that have this same transfer privilege, but these cards are not generally available.)  For the Red Line or Health Line, be sure to activate your 5-trip fare card (or 1-trip or 2-trip fare card) at the station before you board for each ride!

 

Finally, riders can use a day pass (available at Red Line and Health Line station vending machines and from independent vendors), 7 day pass (available from our web site and independent vendors) or monthly pass (available from our web site) for unlimited rides on buses, the Health Line and rapid transit lines, including free transfers.

 

There are separate 5-trip cards for Park and Ride buses (which are also valid on all bus lines, the Health Line and rapid transit lines) and for Bus/Rapid/BRT trips (which are NOT valid on Park and Ride buses).  There are also separate all-day, 7-day and monthly passes for Park and Ride buses (which are also valid on all bus lines, the Health Line and rapid transit lines) and for Bus/Rapid/BRT trips (which are NOT valid on Park and Ride buses).  Senior 5-trip cards and passes are valid for all RTA vehicles.

 

**The downtown trolley routes are currently free to riders.**

 

The current price for cash fare, 1-ride and 2-ride fare cards, 5-trip fare cards and passes are shown below."

 

Nothing revolutionary here, but as a relative outsider without a great command of the fare structure and media, I thought I'd offer my perspective of what would be clearest to me.

RTA buses are suffering 30-60 minute delays in today's lake-effect snowburst with the worst delays on the interstates while RTA's trains are pretty close to on time....

 

Hehehehe :evil:

 

I have a story. I left the CSU student center at 2:50 and headed to cityhall. I hopped on the E line and took it down to the arcade. Walked through the arcade and got on a B line bus at 3:16. By the time I got to city hall it was 4:30 and it was too late so I decided to stay on the bus and take it back to public square so that I could hop on the health line. By the time I got to public square i had already been on the B line for about 2 hours and 40 minutes. When I got to the public square health line station, the health line bus was at the station but couldn't move cause the extreme amount of ice underneath it. Shortly after that another health line came and pick everybody up (completely packed) and dropped everybody that wanted to get off on the right side of the road so that it did not also get stuck. By the time I got back to playhouse square it was 6:22. In the end it was a 3 hour 32 minute bus ride to nowhere. Just a simple loop around downtown.

Why on earth would you not just get out and walk

^http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRBchZLkQR0

Why on earth would you not just get out and walk

 

Were you down here today. You could hardly see infront of you. Let alone cross the streets at the intersections. They were jammed with cars going every which way. Traffic was stuff in those intersections for over 4 rotations with cars acting like idiots

Why on earth would you not just get out and walk

 

As much I as I don't want to see this thread go off-topic, I have to agree. Yes, I was down there - and back when I worked downtown, I routinely walked around when traffic was gridlocked - not like people can blow through intersections when its that backed up.

Why on earth would you not just get out and walk

 

As much I as I don't want to see this thread go off-topic, I have to agree.

 

we were going to several times, there was a group of people on the bus, none of us never met each other before. It always seemed like we were going to break free. And once we got too far we were stuck. I mean, I didn't feel like walking in that weather from that far. And we did get off eventually and walked.

Don't get me wrong, not saying the weather was just lovely and walking in it wouldn't be the most ideal but I would have *killed* to live/work downtown and not have to drive in that crap tonight. And sorta/somewhat getting back on topic, I guess that's why RTA has "dress for the weather" as a recommendation on their site :lol:

Yeah thats another thing, I wasn't really dressed for the weather as stupid as that is. Im surprised to hear that the eastern suburbs didn't even get a hint of snow. Anyways sorry for being a little off topic. Back to RTA

Don't get me wrong, not saying the weather was just lovely and walking in it wouldn't be the most ideal but I would have *killed* to live/work downtown and not have to drive in that crap tonight. And sorta/somewhat getting back on topic, I guess that's why RTA has "dress for the weather" as a recommendation on their site :lol:

 

My wife and I live downtown.  She works downtown, I work in Euclid.  She got off early yesterday because of the snow and had a 10 minute walk home.  I got off at my normal time and it took me 3 hours and 15 minutes to get to my apartment (normally a 15 minute drive).  I ended up getting off the highway and the last two miles on St. Clair took over 2 hours.  I've never seen anything like what I saw yesterday and I don't really have an explanation for it.

 

To keep this on topic I wish I would have taken the bus down Euclid to Windermere and hopped on the Rapid to Tower City.  It probably would have taken a couple hours, but it would have been better then what I had to deal with last night.

Yesterday may have just paid in full the entire year's worth of monthly RTA passes. 

 

Some Co-workers left early to try and still get home at a reasonable hour.  After 45 min of waiting in their car, in the parking garage, not moving down even 1 floor, some returned to work as it was pointless.  This whole time I was working.  At 5:00 I walked over Terminal Tower, caught my regular train and experienced no delays (there was no snow on the west side). 

 

This morning everyone is sharing stories of how long it took them to get home.  I had the shortest commute by far.

Last night they had the regular busses take the place of the health line busses. It kind of looked funny. They were probably just being cautious and trying to avoid what happend earlier.

So it took me a little over 3 and 1/2 hours to get roughly from the Cleveland Clinic to Public Square yesterday but once I got to the Detroit-Superior Bridge there was one of the long RTA buses (accordion bus) that must have gotten stuck and tried to manuever out. The bus was blocking a good bit of the bridge and the entire bridge became basically 2 lanes but more like 1 and a half due to the snow for both directions.

 

People leaving downtown almost made the bridge a one way bridge because one by one cars started using all the incoming lanes and other cars followed.

 

Meanwhile the subway deck below sat empty since the day Al Porter closed it to rail traffic nearly 56 years ago.

Wasnt sure whether to put this here or the race thread...  I hope this doesnt lead to more BS with enforcement.

Its kindof like making the observation that blacks are arrested for robbery at a disproportunately high number than whites in DC (nearly 95% more) yet only make up 54% of the population.. (yet in reality blacks commit over 99% of the robberies in DC).   

 

Blacks being ticketed in high numbers for not paying RTA fares in ClevelandPublished: Sunday, December 12, 2010, 5:45 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Blacks have received a disproportionately high number of citations for not paying Regional Transit Authority fares, a Plain Dealer analysis has found.

More than 85 percent of the citations for the infraction were issued to them during the past two years, the analysis found.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/12/blacks_ticketed_in_high_number.html

^I don't see how that is breaking news. I mean, I would guess that blacks make up the largest demographic of RTA's riders. So, is it any wonder that the people cited the most are also apart of the largest demographic? I am sure if the data took into consideration the number of people in each demographic being ticketed you would find that the percent of blacks getting ticketed is the same as (or close to the percent of) whites. So, there are only more blacks getting ticketed simply because they are a larger part of the population that rides RTA.

Profiling does not occur because they check everyone. I dont know how anyone can bring race into this.

I didn't read this article as implicitly calling the RTA a racist organization - it's just giving us the numbers.

 

I didn't read this article as implicitly calling the RTA a racist organization - it's just giving us the numbers.

 

 

Of course YOU wouldn't  ::) ::) ::)

 

^I don't see how that is breaking news. I mean, I would guess that blacks make up the largest demographic of RTA's riders. So, is it any wonder that the people cited the most are also apart of the largest demographic? I am sure if the data took into consideration the number of people in each demographic being ticketed you would find that the percent of blacks getting ticketed is the same as (or close to the percent of) whites. So, there are only more blacks getting ticketed simply because they are a larger part of the population that rides RTA.

Completely agree.

 

Having said that, I dont care what color you are or where you live, if you don't pay your fare you deserve a ticket!  PERIOD!