Cleveland's RTA head wants to cut monthly fares for college students

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- RTA wants to expand efforts to cut the cost of bus-and-rail fares for college students.

General Manager Joe Calabrese asked his board Tuesday to consider a program that would have RTA joining local colleges and institutes in subsidizing the cost of monthly fares.

 

"Most importantly, it's a way to make college more affordable," said Calabrese, noting last week's launch of a compact between local governments and colleges to lift the county's education levels.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/10/rta_heads_wants_to_cut_monthly.html

 

Smart move.

Because FTA money hasn't been forthcoming (yet) for the Red Line's E. 120-to-Mayfield/Little Italy station relocation, and because phase 1 of the excellent Uptown mixed use project (plus MOCA) will be online within the year, I think RTA and/or Cleveland needs to fix up the E. 120 station as best they can.  A lot of downtown & West Side riders are going to be using this station.

 

Thanks for your insight. I have forwarded your message along.

 

Great, thanks Jerry.

A discussion of Public Square bus routes is occurring here:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6560.msg584633.html#msg584633

 

The bus/transit related discussion at that thread may need to be moved here.

FYI, there are some overhead lines down at W 38 that are leading to shuttle buses replacing rail between W 117 and E 34  -- yes, that means no service into Tower City from the East Side, and no Red Line from West Side. Shuttle buses are running, but obviously our capacity is reduced in this situation. Please plan accordingly, and we'll keep you informed through all available channels.

Thanks for the update JeTDoG.  I was on the train that got stopped at W. 65th when the power was shut down, and the crew was very helpful and courteous.  Caught the 22 to Public Square and was about 30 minutes behind schedule which, all things considered, wasn't too bad at all.  Last time there was a major accident on I-71 I was probably close to an hour late to work.

Thanks for the update JeTDoG.  I was on the train that got stopped at W. 65th when the power was shut down, and the crew was very helpful and courteous.  Caught the 22 to Public Square and was about 30 minutes behind schedule which, all things considered, wasn't too bad at all.  Last time there was a major accident on I-71 I was probably close to an hour late to work.

 

Glad to hear things went as smoothly as they did, given the circumstances. FYI, we've restored power through Tower City, so shuttles will run between W 25 and W 98/West Blvd. Further updates as we get them...

Well, at least it wasn't lightning that caused it.....

Well, at least it wasn't lightning that caused it.....

 

Hallelujah to that! We're making positive progress, Red Line is now single-tracking between W 25 and W 98/West Blvd.

Let the ideas flow!

 

RTA in Cleveland wants to expand service as budget picture brightens

Published: Wednesday, November 02, 2011, 5:10 AM    Updated: Wednesday, November 02, 2011, 12:05 PM

  By Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Riders on RTA's Red Line and HealthLine rapids, as well as some crowded bus routes, could see expanded service under the transit agency's budget for 2012.

 

An improved financial picture should allow the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to hire several dozen drivers and expand service by 4.3 percent, RTA's top executives told the board Tuesday.

 

The board will hear specifics of the proposed service expansion at its next meeting in two weeks.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/rta_wants_to_expand_service_as.html

Let the ideas flow!

 

RTA in Cleveland wants to expand service as budget picture brightens

Published: Wednesday, November 02, 2011, 5:10 AM    Updated: Wednesday, November 02, 2011, 12:05 PM

  By Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Riders on RTA's Red Line and HealthLine rapids, as well as some crowded bus routes, could see expanded service under the transit agency's budget for 2012.

 

An improved financial picture should allow the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to hire several dozen drivers and expand service by 4.3 percent, RTA's top executives told the board Tuesday.

 

The board will hear specifics of the proposed service expansion at its next meeting in two weeks.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/rta_wants_to_expand_service_as.html

 

Weve been discussing this in the Healthline thread, maybe those comments should be moved here?

My suggestions:

 

1. improve off-peak frequencies on the Red Line to 15 minutes and afternoon off-peak frequencies on the HealthLine to  5 minutes.

 

2. Combine the #48 and #58 into a loop route operating from Marymount north on Henry/Broadway/Forestdale and then on East 131st/130th/South Moreland to Shaker Square, west on Shaker Boulevard to East 116th, south on East 116th/MLK, east on Miles/Caine/East 143rd/Ohio/East 153rd/Seville/Lee/Tarkington/South Miles. Buses would then reverse direction and go back through the route back to Marymount.

 

3. Eliminate the #48 and #58 north of Shaker Square.

 

4. Extend the HealthLine from University Circle Cedar station up Fairhill/down MLK to/from Shaker Square.

 

5. Add frequencies on other crowded bus routes as needed. One of those is the late-AM rush hour trips on the #55 to downtown and CSU. The articulated buses need to run on the 22 and 26 routes on weekends.

 

I'll think of more.

 

Weve been discussing this in the Healthline thread, maybe those comments should be moved here?

 

If they are of a general, systemwide nature, then they be moved here. Discussions limited to the HealthLine should stay there.

Eliminate the 48 north of Shaker Square?  How would you suggest someone take transit between Shaker Square and the heart of University Circle (e.g. CMA area)? :wtf:

^

My suggestions:

 

4. Extend the HealthLine from University Circle Cedar station up Fairhill/down MLK to/from Shaker Square.

With reference to my earlier post about bus stop locations, new ones have been put in place immediately adjacent to our location.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  :)

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the RTA Board Room, there will be a public meeting to discuss the planning of a West Side Transit Center mixed-use development. The meeting is sponsored by RTA, the Historic Warehouse District and the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. Help us shape the vision. I'm sure there will be a method of collecting ideas from those who cannot attend the meeting. When that method is set, I will post it here.

 

Eliminate the 48 north of Shaker Square?  How would you suggest someone take transit between Shaker Square and the heart of University Circle (e.g. CMA area)? :wtf:

 

Yes, please read my entire post.

 

With reference to my earlier post about bus stop locations, new ones have been put in place immediately adjacent to our location.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  :)

 

Glad to be of whatever assistance I could.

Can RTA look into having this on its buses and Shaker lines?

 

That's pretty awesome that the new fareboxes will (eventually) allow you to put in a $20 on the bus and get change in the form of a stored-value card. So you do not even have to preload money onto a card before getting on the bus.  I've never seen a transit system that offers this.

Can RTA look into having this on its buses and Shaker lines?

 

That's pretty awesome that the new fareboxes will (eventually) allow you to put in a $20 on the bus and get change in the form of a stored-value card. So you do not even have to preload money onto a card before getting on the bus.  I've never seen a transit system that offers this.

Laketran currently does this and has the same fareboxes as RTA (as far as I can tell), so it might be worth having a conversation with them to find out what issues they've had.

On Saturday, Nov. 19, all East Side Rapid transit service (Red, Green and Blue Lines) will be replaced by shuttle buses between start of service and noon. This service interruption is due to Innerbelt-related work that will take place over the RTA tracks.

 

Red Line East Side replacement buses will serve all stations between Tower City and the Louis Stoke Station at Windermere. The HealthLine will be an alternative for some riders.

 

Blue and Green Line replacement buses will serve all stations between Tower City and Green Road, and between Tower City and Van Aken/Warrensville.

 

All buses will pick up and drop off on Public Square, in front of the former Higbee’s Department Store, at the B-Line/E-Line Trolley stop.

 

Waterfront and West Side Red Line rapid service will operate as usual.

 

Bus departure times will be similar to the schedule for regular Rapid transit service, but travel will be slower. While delays will be kept to a minimum, travelers should allow extra time to reach their destinations.

 

Regular Rapid service will be resume at noon.

 

On Saturday, Nov. 19, all East Side Rapid transit service (Red, Green and Blue Lines) will be replaced by shuttle buses between start of service and noon. This service interruption is due to Innerbelt-related work that will take place over the RTA tracks.

 

Red Line East Side replacement buses will serve all stations between Tower City and the Louis Stoke Station at Windermere. The HealthLine will be an alternative for some riders.

 

Blue and Green Line replacement buses will serve all stations between Tower City and Green Road, and between Tower City and Van Aken/Warrensville.

 

All buses will pick up and drop off on Public Square, in front of the former Higbee’s Department Store, at the B-Line/E-Line Trolley stop.

 

Waterfront and West Side Red Line rapid service will operate as usual.

 

Bus departure times will be similar to the schedule for regular Rapid transit service, but travel will be slower. While delays will be kept to a minimum, travelers should allow extra time to reach their destinations.

 

Regular Rapid service will be resume at noon.

 

 

Where exactly will the work be done?

How detailed information do you want? The general answer is the Inner Belt portion over the Rapid tracks, but could range from the new Commercial Avenue bridge deck over the Rapid tracks westward to the new westbound Inner Belt Central Viaduct. I suspect ODOT is going to be working on both to make the most of the Rapid system shutdown.

How detailed information do you want? The general answer is the Inner Belt portion over the Rapid tracks, but could range from the new Commercial Avenue bridge deck over the Rapid tracks westward to the new westbound Inner Belt Central Viaduct. I suspect ODOT is going to be working on both to make the most of the Rapid system shutdown.

 

That what I was wondering.  I'm also wondering why trains couldn't run to/from 55 or 79 street?

Probably because few people travel between places within the route east of 55th Street. Almost everyone is going downtown.

"Cleveland RTA wants to bolster bus and rail routes in 2012, add trolley service for casino

Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 10:00 AM    Updated: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 10:07 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- RTA wants to boost its bus and rail service in 2012 and, if money is available, to offer free transit among popular stops downtown, like the Horseshoe Casino and rock hall.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority would add bus service to more than 20 routes where rush-hour riders sometimes stand shoulder to shoulder."

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/rta_wants_to_bolster_bus_and_r.html

 

Probably because few people travel between places within the route east of 55th Street. Almost everyone is going downtown.

 

I'm thinking run the buses as a shuttle to 55/79 street and let people transfer to trains at those stations instead of completely shutting down the system on the east side.

Thanks, mrclifton88.

I'm thinking run the buses as a shuttle to 55/79 street and let people transfer to trains at those stations instead of completely shutting down the system on the east side.

 

I think you raise a legit point, MTS, esp given given the excellent new station at E.55 whose relocation and redesign now has an extensive off-street bus pull-out making for easy rail-to-bus transfer... Also, although the majority of East Sider riders do prefer to go through to downtown, it seems there's a growing number of Blue-Green riders who transfer at E.55 to the Red Line for U. Circle or East Cleveland destinations, and vice versa (again, enhanced by the much more pleasant, safer-feeling atmosphere of the spanking new E. 55 station)... At the very least, the shutdown noted by Jerry (as always, big thanks J-Man for keeping us informed) will end by noon.

I'm thinking run the buses as a shuttle to 55/79 street and let people transfer to trains at those stations instead of completely shutting down the system on the east side.

 

I think you raise a legit point, MTS, esp given given the excellent new station at E.55 whose relocation and redesign now has an extensive off-street bus pull-out making for easy rail-to-bus transfer... Also, although the majority of East Sider riders do prefer to go through to downtown, it seems there's a growing number of Blue-Green riders who transfer at E.55 to the Red Line for U. Circle or East Cleveland destinations, and vice versa (again, enhanced by the much more pleasant, safer-feeling atmosphere of the spanking new E. 55 station)... At the very least, the shutdown noted by Jerry (as always, big thanks J-Man for keeping us informed) will end by noon.

 

This along with the cross over tracks at 79 and 55 street make it easy to turn trains.  That's why i'm inquiring.  If that isn't convenient/feasible RTA could run trains to SS.  But I really am trying to understand a complete shut down.

^^ Once again, I'm stunned and pleased with the proposed RTA increases in service.  A return to 15-min based Red Line service will be welcomed w/ open arms.  The HL rider increases are understandable, esp with the growth of E. 4, the Clinic and CSU's College town.... But has RTA been able to pinpoint why the Red Line is up so dramatically (13.5%)?  I'm rejoicing not complaining, but just am curious.

I'm thinking run the buses as a shuttle to 55/79 street and let people transfer to trains at those stations instead of completely shutting down the system on the east side.

 

I think you raise a legit point, MTS, esp given given the excellent new station at E.55 whose relocation and redesign now has an extensive fostered bus pullout making for easy realtor's transfer... Also, although the majority of East Sid er riders do prefer to go through to downtown, it seems there's a growing number of Bludgeon riders who transfer at E.55 to the Red Line for U. Circle or East Cleveland destinations, and vice verse (again, enhanced by the much more pleasant, snaffling atmosphere of the spanking new E. 55 station)... At the very least, the shutdown noted by Jerry (as always, big thanks Jermain for keeping us informed) will end by noon.

 

This along with the cross over tracks at 79 and 55 street make it easy to turn trains.  That's why I'm inquiring.  If that isn't convenient/feasible RTA could run trains to SS.  But I really am trying to understand a complete shut down.

 

I don't want to throw too much cold water on RTA because they are doing more things RIGHT these days than wrong.... but I agree with your sentiment.  I too sometimes feel RTA is quick for complete shutdowns... Just last month they ran Red Line shuttles from W. 25 to Tower City when the Cuyahoga viaduct was closed for track repairs, which I thought was the right way to go... why not likewise on Sat. for East Side riders?  Yeah, I know our  Ohio City (W. 25) is an end-stop/destination for more eastbound West Side riders (as opposed to going all the way through to downtown), but still, does closing the entire East side Rapid network make sense?

"Cleveland RTA wants to bolster bus and rail routes in 2012, add trolley service for casino

Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 10:00 AM    Updated: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 10:07 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- RTA wants to boost its bus and rail service in 2012 and, if money is available, to offer free transit among popular stops downtown, like the Horseshoe Casino and rock hall.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority would add bus service to more than 20 routes where rush-hour riders sometimes stand shoulder to shoulder."

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/rta_wants_to_bolster_bus_and_r.html

 

Route 30 up to Lakeshore getting more frequent in the evening is very much needed. Thanks RTA!

 

^ for more detailed info, click on this link, and then go to the PDF link for the Service Management Plan.

 

http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/index.asp?listingid=1679

 

This is all great news.  Welcome improvements across the board.

Absolutely! Great news!

 

So is the report on the Warehouse District transit center, which was reported on by jborger at:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3323.msg587677.html#msg587677

 

I replied that this is the site which Forest City Enterprises just gained site control of last year.

 

Coincidence? I doubt it....

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3323.msg578258.html#msg578258

Absolutely! Great news!

 

So is the report on the Warehouse District transit center, which was reported on by jborger at:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3323.msg587677.html#msg587677

 

I replied that this is the site which Forest City Enterprises just gained site control of last year.

 

Coincidence? I doubt it....

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3323.msg578258.html#msg578258

 

You smell the fish?

A sign at the shiny solar bus shelter at the NW corner of Mayfield and Coventry seems to indicate that both the 7 and the 9 routes stop there. In my experience, the 7 does *not* stop on Mayfield west of Coventry, because it turns on Coventry on its way to going down Euclid Heights Blvd toward the Cedar-University Rapid station. Is this sign wrong/misleading, or is a change in the 7's route in the works?

^ checking

Very pleased with the service additions: it's all good... Might suggest 15-min service on the Red Line for Saturday, too, as there is a lot of traffic to core areas (Tower City, Airport, Ohio City and, no doubt, the upcoming Univ. Circle Uptown development)... Sundays can remain at every 20 mins; Sunday's a slow day in Cleveland except, obviously, on Browns/big sports days... But overall, I'm very pleased by RTA's recent success, moves...

A sign at the shiny solar bus shelter at the NW corner of Mayfield and Coventry seems to indicate that both the 7 and the 9 routes stop there. In my experience, the 7 does *not* stop on Mayfield west of Coventry, because it turns on Coventry on its way to going down Euclid Heights Blvd toward the Cedar-University Rapid station. Is this sign wrong/misleading, or is a change in the 7's route in the works?

 

No change is planned for bus route #7. It appears the sign is in error. We are double-checking that now, and the sign will probably be removed in a few days. Thanks.

The December Riders Digest is now posted on-line: http://www.riderta.com/pdf/RidersDigest/Dec-11-RD.pdf

 

Just a little transit-envy I have to admit to. I live in Charlotte and the transit system here is absolutely inadequate for the stature and economic clout this city is supposed to have. There is one train here and it doesn't even run to the airport! CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System), of course, is not a perfect system. Neither is RTA. RTA has it's faults like every transit system does. But to have the transportation options Greater Cleveland has is very impressive. I've ridden the Red Line from the airport to Tower City before and it is so convenient. To have a train that runs from the center city to the airport is quite an asset.

 

Wanted to give a shout out to RTA for operating a system that is the envy, at least in my humble opinion, of many other transits systems around!

Just a little transit-envy I have to admit to. I live in Charlotte and the transit system here is absolutely inadequate for the stature and economic clout this city is supposed to have. There is one train here and it doesn't even run to the airport! CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System), of course, is not a perfect system. Neither is RTA. RTA has it's faults like every transit system does. But to have the transportation options Greater Cleveland has is very impressive. I've ridden the Red Line from the airport to Tower City before and it is so convenient. To have a train that runs from the center city to the airport is quite an asset.

 

Wanted to give a shout out to RTA for operating a system that is the envy, at least in my humble opinion, of many other transits systems around!

 

Clevelover, we appreciate the shout out.  Just remember, be patient my friend...To get where we are, today (34 miles of rail rapid transit (heavy & LRT), 7 miles of BRT), Cleveland has taken a mere 98 years!! (the 1st portion of what is now Green Line service started Dec. 1913!!); and we still have a ways to go to get our rail network where it needs to be although we do appreciate what we have...  Charlotte's definitely on the right track -- one thing I like about CATS light rail is that it is apparently very fast and has a private ROW in downtown Charlotte -- with no slow auto-interfering streetcar track-age that so many new American systems have in cities that can't get subways or private ROW's done.  Charlotte also has developed a separate streetcar system to run in tandem with CATS light rail – that’s progressive, imho.  Keep in mind, the CATS rail you already have and are developing, puts you light years ahead of comparable, even larger metro areas that still can decide what they want to do, ... if anything (ie. Milwaukee, San Antonio, Indy, and, yes, sorry fellow UOers... Cincinnati)..  As for comparisons to RTA, you guys down South will get there; and probably a whole lot faster than Greater Cleveland...

 

clvlndr, Me being a native Clevelander, I will always hold Cleveland above everything else. SO...my opinion is of course biased.

 

One thing about the proposed streetcar. The tracks have been in the ground for a year and no streetcar yet. It's only a mile long segment and was pushed through even though many were against it. It is supposed to expand to the east side of Charlotte but there is no funding at all.

 

As far as light rail expansion here is concerned, funding is such that it probably won't happen except for the extension of the Blue line.

 

 

clvlndr, Me being a native Clevelander, I will always hold Cleveland above everything else. SO...my opinion is of course biased.

 

One thing about the proposed streetcar. The tracks have been in the ground for a year and no streetcar yet. It's only a mile long segment and was pushed through even though many were against it. It is supposed to expand to the east side of Charlotte but there is no funding at all.

 

As far as light rail expansion here is concerned, funding is such that it probably won't happen except for the extension of the Blue line.

 

As I said, I really like that CATS run the LRT behind the building lines through the heart of downtown Charlotte (Chicago L style)... I'm a little puzzled though, that the tracks aren't completely elevated through downtown -- but it's still infinitely better than street running imho.

I have one little complaint re: Browns game time service. My son and I took the Green line in for the game on Sunday, and (not surprisingly) we left early. We waited a few minutes before a train pulled up at W 3rd, and the announcer declared it was the Blue Line train. Then a correction was made, stating it was a Green Line train. Then...wait, another correction, no now it's a Blue line train. I ended up asking 3 or 4 people (2 of which were RTA employees assisting passengers) and they ultimately confirmed that it was a Blue Line / Van Aken train. Pretty much everyone else on the platform got on the train (I think at that point, everyone just wanted to take any train, to get out of the rain) So we waited for the next one....which was a Blue line train.

 

When I asked the RTA rep what happened to the Green Line, she replied the last train was Green Line. I pointed out that she told me that was a Blue Line, but she kept insisting that she told me that it was the Green Line. Then she starts telling my 7yo that she told his daddy that it was the Green Line. Really? He doesn't know Green line from Blue, this is the first time he's ever taken the rapid, and now you're freaking him out and he thinks we're going to be stuck there forever.....

 

Look, mistakes happen, and it ultimately wasn't a huge problem (we were at the station for about 30 minutes total), but I got the impression that one hand didn't know what the other was doing that night.

^ I ran into the same problem leaving the stadium on Sunday.  No one from RTA had a clue which line was blue or green. 

^This unfortunately, isn't a new problem with RTA during some of it's big event, crowds, using the rails.  Oftentimes those RTA guys that strut around with their walkie-talkies and those bright yellow vests and the words "GCRTA Supervisor" written on the back, don't have a clue -- they just try and act important.... It's a shame because, you would have thought by now, RTA would have Browns' game/Waterfront Line crowds down to a science -- they've been doing it for 13 years, now... I haven't been to a Browns home game since 2007 (why waste my time on such a hopeless team?).  We were pleased/surprised how smoothly RTA moved people and trains in and out of W. 3rd without a hitch... Sounds like some of the bad old days may have returned....

 

btw, back then (2007), before RTA went to the Proof-of-Payment fare system, they allowed Red Line passengers to transfer via large ramps outside of the fare-pay turnstiles in the station.  I think they've stopped that, now.  Not sure POP is the reason.

I always just hop on the first train available and then get a cup of coffee at Dewey's on Shaker Square if I need to switch from Blue to Green.

^Not a bad plan... I'm sure Dewey's (a fave of mine), or other Shaker Sq. eateries, don't mind the extra biz...