I am glad they have been reported, but seriously RTA should not need to be notified by the random public of the large-scale issues at these stations.  The Cudell station issues are plainly obvious to RTA staff who pass through there.  The broken sliding door for 6 months seemed excessively long, didn't it?

 

On the other hand, perhaps they prioritize repairs based on the number of complaints, so the particularly bad issues should be reported frequently.  Who knows.

 

Yes thats the absurd part, as if RTA wouldnt notice these blaring things unless it is reported...

 

It's not always that easy.  I'm not being an apologist, but there are avenues to report things, and we all know to well many people turn a blind eye, think someone else should report it or presume that the issue is obvious to an employee, that they will report it.

 

Lets everyone use their job as an example,  I'm sure at each of your places of employment there are things that are obviously wrong, do you report those issues?  If "yes" there is most likely a procedure in place to handle it.  Correct?

 

My question to Jerry is, What is the hierarchy of RTAs stations?  Is there a station manager for each station or a Red Line Manager that handles things at the station level.

 

Is there is a station manager for each station, is there contact information for him/her at each station so that riding public can contact them or RTA via the website.

I cannot believe that an organization as large as RTA does not have mechanism's and people who are responsible, as part of their regular job duties, to do scheduled inspections of each Red Line station (at least monthly if not more often) and note things as obvious as poor maintenance, broken tiles and unsightly rust stains (mentioned above) and have the authority and responsibility to see that such matters are taken care of as soon as possible.  It should not be the ultimate responsibility of employees to make such reports (although they of course should) but the "guy" who is responsible for station maintenace.  Indeed, I have to believe that regular inspections are conducted by somebody in order to address potential legal liability.  This is not a mom and pop organization.

I cannot believe that an organization as large as RTA does not have mechanism's and people who are responsible, as part of their regular job duties, to do scheduled inspections of each Red Line station (at least monthly if not more often) and note things as obvious as poor maintenance, broken tiles and unsightly rust stains (mentioned above) and have the authority and responsibility to see that such matters are taken care of as soon as possible.  It should not be the ultimate responsibility of employees to make such reports (although they of course should) but the "guy" who is responsible for station maintenace.  Indeed, I have to believe that regular inspections are conducted by somebody in order to address potential legal liability.  This is not a mom and pop organization.

 

That's why I addressed Jerry to see how things are run/managed.

 

In the interim, if you see something, say something.

I agree with MTS, but some of the things discussed above RTA was already aware of, like the broken door at Cudell for 6 months (or more?).

 

I wonder how much of the maintenance budget is taken up by rail maintenance.  Beyond some mopping, there is not a whole lot of evidence of maintenance happening at Red line stations.

 

Money's tight, so I can understand why.

As many of you know, RTA employees are given free transit access (through our photo ID card). The last time I checked, employees took more than 1 million rides a year on the system. For that, we are expected to report things we see right, and things we see wrong. I know that I report several things a month, and often stop to help first-time riders who may be a bit confused about how to use the system. I cannot speak for other employees. We are all expected to have pride of ownership in the system.

Mr. Masek, are you able to address MTS question:

 

"My question to Jerry is, What is the hierarchy of RTAs stations?  Is there a station manager for each station or a Red Line Manager that handles things at the station level.

 

Is there is a station manager for each station, is there contact information for him/her at each station so that riding public can contact them or RTA via the website."

What is the hierarchy of RTAs stations? Is there a station manager for each station or a Red Line Manager that handles things at the station level? If there is a station manager for each station, is there contact information for him/her at each station so that riding public can contact them or RTA via the Web site."

 

Good questions, I spoke with Michael York, Deputy GM of Operations, who reports directly to the GM.

 

Operations is the largest division at RTA, with all bus and rail service, Transit Police, Service Planning, and a section called Facilities Maintenance. There are two rail "districts", East Side and West Side. Because of the budget, the department is short-staffed, as others have already noted here. If anyone wants to report an item out-of-order, you can e-mail Mike York directly at [email protected].

 

He also said that priority is given to safety-sensitive issues. As far as the broken door that was not fixed for several months, we were aware of it. A custom-made part was on order, and the door was fixed when the part was available.

What is the hierarchy of RTAs stations? Is there a station manager for each station or a Red Line Manager that handles things at the station level? If there is a station manager for each station, is there contact information for him/her at each station so that riding public can contact them or RTA via the Web site."

 

Good questions, I spoke with Michael York, Deputy GM of Operations, who reports directly to the GM.

 

Operations is the largest division at RTA, with all bus and rail service, Transit Police, Service Planning, and a section called Facilities Maintenance. There are two rail "districts", East Side and West Side. Because of the budget, the department is short-staffed, as others have already noted here. If anyone wants to report an item out-of-order, you can e-mail Mike York directly at [email protected].

 

He also said that priority is given to safety-sensitive issues. As far as the broken door that was not fixed for several months, we were aware of it. A custom-made part was on order, and the door was fixed when the part was available.

 

Thanks JM!

 

When something like that happens, can you ask that Mr. York or someone in his department place a notice of the item so that rides wont think it's simply broken but that there is a reason why item has has not been repaired.

 

 

something like

 

 

X item is not functioning because of X Reason

Report made to RTA:  X Date

Repair schedule to be complete:  X Date

Further questions or comments please contact:  Contact information.

 

 

That would hopefully eliminate those from think RTA staff is ineffective and facilities are run down and not very well maintained, as evident by the previous posts on this topic.

 

 

 

 

^excellent suggestion

I appreciate Jerry's research on this issue, and it sounds like RTA is making the best of it with the resourses -- actually, lack thereof -- it it's disposal these days... It's good to know there is a logical system of getting word to the proper people to repair damages, esp when we the public put RTA on notice of such.  And for the record, I sure hope RTA can do something about circulating the air on hot days at stations like W. 25th.

 

... I still believe, however, that repairs are one thing, and routine maintence (ie, cleaning/scrubbing) is quite another... I don't care how tight the budget is, the W. 25 should NEVER stink of urine; and quite frankly, it strains my memory to recall when it didn't -- I sometimes use the elevator up, and it always smells that way. That's just plain unacceptable.  And even though I agree with MTS that we are all caretakers of RTA and have a duty to report these things -- how can RTA not know about these things?  I mean, the last 2 or 3 times of used W. 25, there's been a gaggle of RTA cops hanging around the station (a good thing, indeed) checking passes-- and, yes, I've seen them using the elevator as well... It's bad enough for (by the grace of God) ambulatory folks like me who have a choice, to ride the stinky elevators; what about the poor disabled and/or wheelchair bound souls who are forced to... And as was stated before, some of these routine activities by staff can at least forestall station issues, such as rust, which will cost RTA a bigger bill in way-too-short intervals.

I was so mad @ RTA on Friday.  I sent them a complaint through their website about the W25th station elevator being busted.  My wife wanted to take the rapid from the WEst Blvd station to W25th to go to the market, had the stroller and our 5 month old and the elevator was broken at the 25th street station.  A stranger helped her up the stairs and I had to extend my lunch break to go pick them up and take them home with the groceries.

 

No reply as of yet to my email but that's not surprising. 

 

Good luck handicapped people wanting access to the W25th street station.  I did a cursory look for ADA law thinking I would see if there was a relevant statute or some way to get them involved.  I still may do that later today to try to help get this issue fixed.

There is an ADA complaint form available at:

 

http://www.fta.dot.gov/civilrights/ada/civil_rights_3889.html

 

I would also recommend contacting Marty Gelfand at Congressman Kucinich's Lakewood office at (216)228-8850 or [email protected] to inform him of the condition of the Ohio City station elevator and that you have filed a formal complaint with GCRTA and the FTA. Send copies of your complaints to Gelfand. Even if you don't agree with Kucinich's politics, his constituent services are usually quite good and aggressive.

^KJP...while this "may" be good advice, especially if the elevator has been down for an extended period of time or continues to break with slow followup repairs by RTA,  I personally would want to have additional facts before I took such action....I mean elevators break all over...how long had this one been down...just that day or for an extended period of time...I certainly don't think one should make a Congressional affair out of a broken elevator, even such an important one, unless it is absolutely necessary.

I shared that contact info only because I've heard repeated stories of this elevator not being accessible. I've been involved in advocacy for a long time, and I don't go over the transit agency's head to involve the FTA, Congresspersons, etc. except when something appears to be a chronic problem. If there are enough complaints filed, then I gave appropriate advice. If there aren't, then I didn't.

I shared that contact info only because I've heard repeated stories of this elevator not being accessible. I've been involved in advocacy for a long time, and I don't go over the transit agency's head to involve the FTA, Congresspersons, etc. except when something appears to be a chronic problem. If there are enough complaints filed, then I gave appropriate advice. If there aren't, then I didn't.

 

Thanks KJP,

 

I sent an email to Marty at Kucninch's office. I also sent a scan of the completed FTA forms to the FTA email contact and will be mailing out the hard copy tomorrow.  Thank you for helping me bring attention to this matter.

 

 

^KJP...while this "may" be good advice, especially if the elevator has been down for an extended period of time or continues to break with slow followup repairs by RTA,  I personally would want to have additional facts before I took such action....I mean elevators break all over...how long had this one been down...just that day or for an extended period of time...I certainly don't think one should make a Congressional affair out of a broken elevator, even such an important one, unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

I agree, maybe DeanSheen should have copied jerry or Mike York before sending information to Dennis K's office.

 

 

What is the hierarchy of RTAs stations? Is there a station manager for each station or a Red Line Manager that handles things at the station level? If there is a station manager for each station, is there contact information for him/her at each station so that riding public can contact them or RTA via the Web site."

 

Good questions, I spoke with Michael York, Deputy GM of Operations, who reports directly to the GM.

 

Operations is the largest division at RTA, with all bus and rail service, Transit Police, Service Planning, and a section called Facilities Maintenance. There are two rail "districts", East Side and West Side. Because of the budget, the department is short-staffed, as others have already noted here. If anyone wants to report an item out-of-order, you can e-mail Mike York directly at [email protected].

He also said that priority is given to safety-sensitive issues. As far as the broken door that was not fixed for several months, we were aware of it. A custom-made part was on order, and the door was fixed when the part was available.

^KJP...while this "may" be good advice, especially if the elevator has been down for an extended period of time or continues to break with slow followup repairs by RTA,  I personally would want to have additional facts before I took such action....I mean elevators break all over...how long had this one been down...just that day or for an extended period of time...I certainly don't think one should make a Congressional affair out of a broken elevator, even such an important one, unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

I agree, maybe DeanSheen should have copied jerry or Mike York before sending information to Dennis K's office.

 

 

What is the hierarchy of RTAs stations? Is there a station manager for each station or a Red Line Manager that handles things at the station level? If there is a station manager for each station, is there contact information for him/her at each station so that riding public can contact them or RTA via the Web site."

 

Good questions, I spoke with Michael York, Deputy GM of Operations, who reports directly to the GM.

 

Operations is the largest division at RTA, with all bus and rail service, Transit Police, Service Planning, and a section called Facilities Maintenance. There are two rail "districts", East Side and West Side. Because of the budget, the department is short-staffed, as others have already noted here. If anyone wants to report an item out-of-order, you can e-mail Mike York directly at [email protected].

He also said that priority is given to safety-sensitive issues. As far as the broken door that was not fixed for several months, we were aware of it. A custom-made part was on order, and the door was fixed when the part was available.

 

I did send a complaint to GCRTA on Friday.  I can see no reason why attention should not be brought to this matter via. the proper channels as I have done. 

 

As I stated in my complaints, it was an inconvenience for us but someone with disabilities may not have the options we have.

 

There is a lot of effort being put into creating the "Market District" and this is something that limits everyone having equal access to the amenities in that area.

Yes you did send your complaint and I applause you for that.  What I'm trying to point out is we have been given a direct email (actually two if you count Jerry) to report things.

 

 

Based on what you wrote, it appears there has been follow up and you're not happy with that.  Could RTA be researching?  Have some other issue? Etc.?  Who knows?  But sending it to the line manager may get you the answer as to what the problem is and have corrective measure initiated or at least move up the priority list.

^ No there has not been followup.

 

It's only been a couple days but I did not indicate that there had been followup.  I understand about the line manager suggestion and I would direct you to the GCRTA web site.  In the contacts section there is nothing about a "line manager" only a general manger.

 

http://www.riderta.com/customerservice/

 

I really don't get the defense of RTA here and it's not like anything drastic has taken place in terms of the complaints made.  If RTA wants people who file complaints to direct them to the line manager then put that information on the web site.

 

 

 

 

^ No there has not been followup.

 

It's only been a couple days but I did not indicate that there had been followup.  I understand about the line manager suggestion and I would direct you to the GCRTA web site.  In the contacts section there is nothing about a "line manager" only a general manger.

 

http://www.riderta.com/customerservice/

 

I really don't get the defense of RTA here and it's not like anything drastic has taken place in terms of the complaints made.  If RTA wants people who file complaints to direct them to the line manager then put that information on the web site.

 

 

Whoa.  Where did I defend RTA?  Slow your roll.  You haven't been here very long and UO is a very user friendly site, many times project manager or official representatives of company's post here.  Look around at the various forum and projects.  We have relationships with them as they value the people on UO's input and urban-ism and use of public transportation.  We're not cheerleading!  When something goes wrong, we let them know the real reason.

 

 

The information about the line manager was given to us directly by Jerry Masek who is the communications director for RTA as indicated in my previous post.

 

 

Again, i'm all for following protocol!  I'm  VERY big on that!  However, you have access to the person in charge of the line, why not use his email?  What is the worse that can happen?

 

 

 

 

The posts regarding West 25th Street have been forwarded to the proper person at RTA. I am sorry that there was a problem. It happened Friday, and this is the next work day, so the Web site complant process may not have generated a reply yet.

 

RTA monitors this Forum regularly. After learning what happened, I made it a priority to get involved. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Slow my roll?  And you call me a newb?

 

I've hardly been out of line and I appreciate the community.  I'm really not sure what the offense was here. 

 

I've been trying to answer your questions.  I understand the gist of what you have been saying but I did not read upthread prior to posting so that I could see the line managers email and simply pointed out that it was not on the website, an obvious oversight if that's how GCRTA want's complaints to be filed.

 

 

 

 

Issue is addressed. Moving on.....

The posts regarding West 25th Street have been forwarded to the proper person at RTA. I am sorry that there was a problem. It happened Friday, and this is the next work day, so the Web site complant process may not have generated a reply yet.

 

RTA monitors this Forum regularly. After learning what happened, I made it a priority to get involved. Your cooperation is appreciated.

 

I did not realize that.  Thanks Jerry.

 

 

^ No there has not been followup.

 

It's only been a couple days but I did not indicate that there had been followup.  I understand about the line manager suggestion and I would direct you to the GCRTA web site.  In the contacts section there is nothing about a "line manager" only a general manger.

 

http://www.riderta.com/customerservice/

 

I really don't get the defense of RTA here and it's not like anything drastic has taken place in terms of the complaints made.  If RTA wants people who file complaints to direct them to the line manager then put that information on the web site.

 

you can check RTA elevator and escalator status on the web - this is usually very accurate and pings the elevators every few hours - http://www.riderta.com/ro_rapid-elevator.asp

 

also, the red line operator should have made an announcement that the elevator was out of service.

May ridership numbers were released today. The news is good.

 

* Total ridership up 8.3 percent.

 

* Bus up 7.4 percent, highest in two years.

* HealthLine up 5.0 percent.

* Trolley up 17 percent, with 4,000 average daily ridership

* Total bus up 7.1 percent.

 

* Heavy rail up 19.3 percent.

* Light rail up 3.6 percent.

* Total rail up 13.9 percent.

 

* Average weekday ridership rose 6.4 percent.

* 4,000 bikes carried on transit.

 

* YTD, ridership is down .08 percent, we expect to pull even next month.

 

Thanks for your support.

 

Deputy GM Mike York shared this information on the history of the W. 25th elevator for the past 18 months.

 

"The current situation is a failed fire alarm smoke detector inside the elevator cab.  The elevator fire alarm is separate from the station fire alarms and when it is not working, the elevator will not operate. It has been down since last Wednesday, June 15. Kone has the part on order. The only other times since Jan. 1, 2010 that the elevator was down for a day or more were: 5/29/10 - 6/2/10 (3 days) for a control wiring problem; and 10/20/10 - 10/21/10 (one day) for replacement of door sliding guide shoes."

 

 

However, when the elevator reeks of urine, it is also unusable and therefore inaccessible.

 

EDIT: thanks for the update on ridership, Jerry.

^ The numbers are good news, esp for rail, and doubly-especially for the Red Line... I have no scientific evidence, but my guess may be that these numbers reflect a combo of: significant bus-route cuts, forcing many to the Rapid, esp the Red Line... as the PeeDee article notes, too, the economy has picked up slightly, and downtown and Ohio City are stronger.

My wife has been making frequent use of the Red Line. I probably will in the coming year as well.

 

Got to echo what has been said about the station quality. Though I know it has more to do with the irresponsible actions of a few freeloaders, it's sad to see things not cleaned up. Generally speaking I have not had a bad experience, though, but I wish the trains ran a bit more frequently.

The new numbers got good coverage in this morning's P-D...

 

 

RTA delivering more rides by rail; revenue from fares on the rise

Published: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 6:20 PM    Updated: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 7:13 AM

By Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- People are piling into RTA trains, plugging a years-long drain of riders for the public transit agency.

 

An improved economy and a spike in gas prices fuel rider growth, RTA officials say.

 

And traffic headaches caused by work on a new bridge downtown could mean more commuters opting for the rails, officials beleve. 

 

Through May, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority delivered 18.8 million rides on its trains and buses.

 

Read more at: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/06/rta_delivering_more_rides_by_r.html

And I'll be happy to add to those numbers once I move downtown!

I rode the Red Line today downtown for lunch and was blown away at the number of riders on board. The two-car train bound for downtown just before noon was about 60 percent full. The two-car train outbound from downtown at about 1:30 p.m. was probably 75 percent full. I stopped over at a friend's apartment near the West Boulevard station, then continued my trip west to the new Puritas-West 150th station at about 3 p.m. That two-car train was about 110 percent full, and thus had standees on it. At 3 p.m.?? I was pretty surprised.

 

That was the good news.

 

The bad news is the on-time performance of RTA's buses and the inconsistency of RTA train drivers not announcing which stations have inoperable elevators. The elevators at Puritas and Ohio City stations were not operating. Our eastbound train arriving Tower City just before noon did not announce that the Ohio City elevator wasn't working. The driver of the westbound train from downtown did announce the Ohio City elevator situation. But then our later train to Puritas did not announce that its elevator wasn't working.

 

I had to drive to the Puritas station where I greeted a co-worker driving up from Columbus. I wanted to take the #26 bus east arriving the West Boulevard station at 11:11 a.m. and then take the 11:16 a.m. train west from there to Puritas. But when the #26 hadn't shown up at my Lakewood stop by 11:10 a.m., I knew I'd miss the connection at West Boulevard. And since I had to be downtown at noon for a lunch meeting, I could not wait for the next connection. So the #26 route and the Red Line each lost one trip from me today because of a late #26 bus.

 

EDIT: I would have the taken the more direct #78 on West 117th from my Gold Coast neighborhood to the West 117th-Madison station, but since that bus runs only hourly and it wasn't at the right hourly times, I could not use it.

 

BTW, my co-worker from Columbus had never ridden the Rapid before. By the time we got downtown and exited the train at a busy Tower City Station, he said he couldn't believe he was in Ohio. He said riding trains and seeing the crowded station scene reminded him of the East Coast.

 

I think we need to introduce state legislators to RTA's rail system!!

 

I think we need to introduce state legislators to RTA's rail system!!

No, they'd probably decide to cut it even more.

For the rules regarding bikes on trains does "Bikes must not block aisles or doorways on RTA trains, and must be securely held or tied in place." mean having my bike in the aisle at all constitutes blocking or can I just not impede most/all of the aisle and be in compliance (also assuming I'm not blocking someone into their seat)?  For examples could I sit on one of the benches or stand in the aisle and hold my bike next to me?  If I'm using the wheelchair area must I make it so the bike fits entirely within that space and not spill out into the aisle?

 

I know the first bullet point on this page (http://www.riderta.com/ro_bike.asp) seems to indicate where I can be with my bike but it's just not as explicit as the bullet points prohibiting bikes on the escalators or within Tower City so it seems vague in comparison.

For the rules regarding bikes on trains does "Bikes must not block aisles or doorways on RTA trains, and must be securely held or tied in place." mean having my bike in the aisle at all constitutes blocking or can I just not impede most/all of the aisle and be in compliance (also assuming I'm not blocking someone into their seat)?  For example, could I sit on one of the benches or stand in the aisle and hold my bike next to me?  If I'm using the wheelchair area, must I make it so the bike fits entirely within that space and not spill out into the aisle?

 

I have seen riders park their bike near the operator window, and then sit down 10 seats away. The guidelines ask you to stay with your bicycle. I have also seen riders use their bike to block the doorway, and of course, that's wrong too.

 

On the Red Line, doors are always in pairs. Only one side of the car is used for exit and entrance. Parking your bike on the other side, away from passengers coming and going, is the preferred place.

 

Most wheelchair areas are probably not large enough to accommodate an entire bicycle, although some cars have an extra seat taken out.

 

There may not be a "perfect" way to mix people and bicycles, so please use common sense. Stay with your bicycle, and do as much as possible to promote the free flow of riders off and on. In all cases, the operator is in charge of rider safety.

 

I have not seen your name before, so let me introduce myself. I am Jerry Masek, from RTA Marketing. If you have more questions, you can always contact me at [email protected]. Thanks for riding RTA.

Thank you for the quick response and the "use common sense/don't be a dick/keep things moving and safe" was what I was hoping was the idea.

hi Jerry:

 

Do you know when rta is scheduled to resume working on blue and green line at grade intersections and what the list is of intersections to be repaired this year? I had thought this was going to be a 3 year or so project with the first handful taking place last year.

Hi all!

 

Had a stupendously awesome freakin' time riding the Rapid this weekend. I'm going to do a bit of writing on it with some pics, but am also foolishly hoping that more routes are being created. Can anyone validate my optimism?

 

Both myself and my big city (NYC/CHI) lady friend were very impressed. We can't wait to ditch our car once we move downtown. And while we love the Shaker Square connection, it would be great to have something go out to Coventry neighborhood, Collinwood, etc.

 

Cheers!

Joe

Glad you had a great time riding the Rapid. There is a three-part photo essay I did several years ago on the Rapid system, available at:

 

Part 1 - Red Line east side and Little Italy:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16259.msg288874.html#msg288874

 

Part 2 - the Shaker lines, Shaker Square and Larchmere:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16260.msg288881.html#msg288881

 

Part 3 - Waterfront Line and downtown:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16261.msg289195.html#msg289195

 

As for expansion, sorry Joe. This is the only rail line extension/expansion being planned at this time:

 

http://www.riderta.com/majorprojects/bluelineextension/

 

There is a thread here where you can about other major improvements to the rail system:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6956.0.html

Do you know when RTA is scheduled to resume working on Blue and Green line at grade intersections and what the list is of intersections to be repaired this year? I had thought this was going to be a 3 year or so project with the first handful taking place last year.

 

I believe you are mostly correct. I know a contract was awarded. I will check tomorrow to get more precise info.

Glad you had a great time riding the Rapid. There is a three-part photo essay I did several years ago on the Rapid system, available at:

 

Part 1 - Red Line east side and Little Italy:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16259.msg288874.html#msg288874

 

Part 2 - the Shaker lines, Shaker Square and Larchmere:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16260.msg288881.html#msg288881

 

Part 3 - Waterfront Line and downtown:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16261.msg289195.html#msg289195

 

As for expansion, sorry Joe. This is the only rail line extension/expansion being planned at this time:

 

http://www.riderta.com/majorprojects/bluelineextension/

 

There is a thread here where you can about other major improvements to the rail system:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6956.0.html

 

Thank you for sharing your old photo tour! Random question - do buses come up to the Windmere station? I noticed a lot of the connections to get to Collinwood on the weekend involve taking the Red Line out there then a bus up to Collinwood.

 

And thank you for sharing the expansion news. Would love to see more in the future, but at least there's something!

 

What's the update on moving the one station to Little Italy?

I just read the 'Kasich shuns buses, trains' article in the Restarting 3-C thread and it's absolutely depressing. Just out of curiosity, how much of RTA's funding comes from the State?

Didn't know if anyone here knew, but there is a movement to get Ohio to adopt a law that would allow for recalling extremist politicians like Kasich. Naturally, he was the inspiration for the movement.

I just read the 'Kasich shuns buses, trains' article in the Restarting 3-C thread and it's absolutely depressing. Just out of curiosity, how much of RTA's funding comes from the State?

 

Very, very little.  And the only silver lining there is that Kasich can't do much to hurt RTA.  Now I'm going to depress myself by reading that article.

How much of RTA's funding comes from the State?

 

The answer is a low single-digit percentage, am checking now to see what that is in 2011. (stay tuned). The problem is priorities. Right now, transit funding comes from the State's General Fund, where you have giant needs, like education and public safety. Transit leaders believe that the State needs a dedicated source of funding, so funding is not left to political winds.

CLEJoe asked: Do buses come up to the Windmere station?

 

Yes, if you check the #66 (Red Line) schedule, you will see that the station is served by the HealthLine 24/7, as well as #3, #28, #30, #37 and #41.

 

By the way, a restaurant just re-opened in the front of the Windermere, so stop in for breakfast...have some bagels with your bus, or some toast with your train.

CLEJoe asked: Do buses come up to the Windmere station?

 

Yes, if you check the #66 (Red Line) schedule, you will see that the station is served by the HealthLine 24/7, as well as #3, #28, #30, #37 and #41.

 

By the way, a restaurant just re-opened in the front of the Windermere, so stop in for breakfast...have some bagels with your bus, or some toast with your train.

 

What restaurant is that? I just looked on Google Maps and nothing really popped up.

 

I haven't done any East Cleveland-ing to speak of, so I'm very unfamiliar with this part of town!

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When is RTA scheduled to resume working on the Blue and Green line at-grade intersections. What is the list of intersections to be repaired this year?

 

Earlier this year, the RTA Board awarded a contract to design improvements to seven light-rail crossings. The design work is nearly complete. Construction contracts will be awarded in two sets.

 

The first set will be for work on four crossings in 2011 and 2012. These include 3 Blue Line crossings (Ashby, Avalon and South Woodland), and Lee Road on the Green Line.

 

The second set will probably be done completely in 2012. It includes Drexmore and Southington on the Blue Line, and Eaton on the Green Line.

 

All work is being coordinated with the City of Shaker Heights. Detours and specific info will be announced as each closing is finalized.

CLEJoe, the restaurant is locally-owned, not a national brand, and is physically located inside the Rapid  Station. Go into the front door and turn right. Part of the front window belongs to the eatery.