Here's some news. Although this might have been alluded to or mentioned in this thread earlier:

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/post_542.html

I am sorry to hear about the snafu at the Browns games. We have focusing much attention in recent years on improved coordination of service for special events. I have forwarded your comments verbatim to the special events team, so some corrections can be made as the season winds down. Thank you.

Thanks Jerry. The consolation prize here is that despite that minor hiccup, my son is now a train convert. He told me last night that trains are his favorite vehicle

 

He also told me that he wants to start rooting for the Steelers, so his judgment may be in question.

He also told me that he wants to start rooting for the Steelers, so his judgment may be in question.

 

Have you watched the Browns lately?

Thanks Jerry. The consolation prize here is that despite that minor hiccup, my son is now a train convert. He told me last night that trains are his favorite vehicle

 

He also told me that he wants to start rooting for the Steelers, so his judgment may be in question.

 

Put the kid up for adoption or a psychiatric hospital IMMEDIATELY!

^ 

Either way, he'll be cheering for winners.

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.

 

Typical slack customer service story that has a representative refusing to admit he/she might have made a mistake....and offer a viable answer. Instead, she is more interested in "being right" and defending...than doing right. Such is the sort of thing customer service training these days needs to polish up the act. It is slack and no excuses. Another example of how a lot of little things can add up to become a lot...and leave either big negative impressions, or positive ones.

(Disclaimer: I know....but all is perfect here and no room for improvement)

(Disclaimer: I know....but all is perfect here and no room for improvement)[/i][/size]

 

If you brought an informed critique more often, then perhaps you wouldn't be so frustrated.

Typical slack customer service story that has a representative refusing to admit he/she might have made a mistake....and offer a viable answer. Instead, she is more interested in "being right" and defending...than doing right. Such is the sort of thing customer service training these days needs to polish up the act. It is slack and no excuses. Another example of how a lot of little things can add up to become a lot...and leave either big negative impressions, or positive ones.

 

I will not dispute the accuracy of the complaint. If the person said it happened, then I believe it did. I forwarded the text of the message to supervisors, who are checking into it now. However, I believe it is an isolated incident. RTA has been working hard in the last few years to "beef up" our handling of special events -- events like Browns games, St. Patrick's Day, and others. Complaints have decreased sharply, and all are investigated. Joe Calabrese uses the service on many special events days, to experience it the same way customers do. I can tell you this -- we will find out why there was confusion, and take steps to ensure it does not happen again.

^That is good to hear, every mistake is an opportunity for future improvement

All new timetables for the Jan. 8 winter service change are now avaiable at www.riderta.com/schedules. The changes include the HealthLine.

WTH? Where's the additional evening service on the 30 that was in the plans? There's still a 28 minute layover for people transfering from the Healthline and the bus is packed when it leaves Windermere.

^ If you have a specific question about a specific route, you may want to send it to me in writing, [email protected]. I will have a service planner respond. Again, please be specific. Thanks.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/post_545.html

 

Wasn't the 120th station just redone?

Thanks Jerry. The consolation prize here is that despite that minor hiccup, my son is now a train convert. He told me last night that trains are his favorite vehicle

 

He also told me that he wants to start rooting for the Steelers, so his judgment may be in question.

 

Tell him that mommy and daddy are not cousins, so he's not allowed.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/post_545.html

 

Wasn't the 120th station just redone?

 

East 55th was just replaced/relocated, and East 93rd/Woodhill was just rebuilt in-place on the Blue/Green (Shaker) lines (see: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6956.0.html). The East 120th-Euclid station on the Red Line is the one in the news today. It, most definitely, has not seen any renovation work.

:clap: The November ridership report was released today, and the numbers are great. :clap:

 

Systemwide:

* Nov. -- 4.0 milllion, up 6.4 percent, or 241,000 rides, best Nov. since 2008

* YTD -- 42.4 million, up 2.8 percent, or 1.2 million rides

* Increased every month since May

* Average daily ridership is 167,000, up 6.3 percent, or 10,000 rides per day

 

Bus:

* Nov. -- 2.8 million, up 6.6 percent, or 198,600 rides

* YTD -- 30 million, up 0.8 percent

 

HealthLine:

* Nov. -- 392,7000, up 10.8 percent, or 38,300 rides

* YTD -- up 7.3 percent

* 3-year total -- more than 13 million

 

Total bus:

* Nov. -- 3.2 million, up 6.6 percent

* YTD -- 34.1 million, up 1.5 percent

 

Heavy rail:

* Nov. -- 507,000, up 6.8 percent

* YTD -- 5.2 milliion, up 12.7 percent

 

Light rail:

* Nov. -- 235,000, up 3.3 percent

* YTD -- 2.5 million, up 1.8 percent

 

Total rail:

* Nov. -- 743 million, up 5.7 percent

* YTD -- 7.6 million, up 8.9 percent

* Average daily ridership has increased more than 3,000 trips.

 

Paratransit:

* Nov. -- 49,000, up 8.5 percent

* YTD -- 524,000, up 5.7 percent

 

Trolley:

* Nov. -- 84,237, an increase of 2.5 percent, or 2,052 more rides

 

More than 3,800 bikes were boarded in November, an 11.4 percent increase over last year. YTD, there are more than 39,300 bike-related trips.

:wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave:

Good news. Thanks!

Keep us smilin', Jerry.

Story from the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

 

Demand for Ohio mass transit proves it's worth the investment: Ben Wickizer

Published: Sunday, December 25, 2011, 3:33 AM

Plain Dealer guest columnist By Plain Dealer guest columnist

 

With the recent release of quarterly ridership levels for mass transit in the United States, it seems appropriate to reflect on Ohio's transportation system relative to other states. In a recent report by the American Public Transportation Association detailing ridership statistics, there were a number of highlights related to Ohio. Bus ridership in the third quarter (July-September) on the Central Ohio Transit Authority in Columbus increased by 10.8 percent from last year -- the largest increase in the country -- while Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority ridership increased by 5.2 percent. In addition, heavy rail ridership in Cleveland increased by 9.7 percent -- also the largest in the country. This quarterly increase for COTA and RTA, which is part of a larger ridership increase for the period of January-September compared with last year, indicates a growing shift in Ohio's transportation demands.

 

Despite continual ridership increases over the past decade, transit services in many Ohio cities have been routinely cut and fares increased. These phenomena represent a disconnect at the policymaking level, as basic logic dictates that if transit demand and ridership are increasing, especially in the face of service cuts and fare increases, then more funding should be allocated to meet the latent and growing demand that exists. Additionally, state funding for public transit in Ohio is significantly less than other comparable states, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana.

 

Not only are many Ohio leaders apathetic to transit demand, but they appear to misunderstand the costs, benefits and reasons for mass transit. Frequently, the litmus test that is applied in relation to transit is: Does it require a subsidy? If the answer is yes, then many leaders immediately balk, returning to their antiquated notions that transportation salvation can only be found in the automobile. But the goal of public transit is not to generate profit or even create a revenue system that is self-sustaining; it's to provide a vital service to the community that creates benefits such as improved mobility, less traffic congestion, lower fuel consumption, improved air quality, superior safety and a more efficient and diverse transportation system -- what economists term positive externalities.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/12/demand_for_ohio_mass_transit_p.html

^Nice article, terrible comments.

Wasn't the purpose of the E-Line and B-Line to help move downtown residents, workers, and visitors around to different restaurants, businesses and attractions? Or something like that? Im not sure if the east side transit center has had a positive or negative effect on the E-Line. From my experience, the E-Line is almost full the second it leaves the transit center and begins its journey heading west. It provides for a very uncomfortable ride and may turn some people away who are actually using it to get around to different businesses, not just a straight route to Tower City/Public Square. The ride used to be much more comfortable/enjoyable before the transit center was built. I have been a little disappointed the last several times i've rode it. I used to ride it almost everyday.

 

So yes the ridership must be up, but its not serving the purpose it was created for.

 

Havent been on the B-Line lately though. Any thoughts on this line? Since it does not reach the transit center has its service and riders remain the same?

^ The E-Line trolley stops at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center, where it has a brief layover before beginning its route again. It's first stop as it heads back to Public Square is on the north side of Euclid Ave., in the middle of the CSU campus. Yes, there are some times of the day when CSU students fill it up on the first stop, but there are many times when they do not. I have seen many times when tourists will board either trolley "just to ride around" and see Cleveland.

 

The trolleys were designed to move people around the city, and it is, so my answer is yes, it is serving its purpose.

 

The B-Line trolley lays over at the RTA Main Office building.

^ FYI, the building was known as the East Side Transit Center only when it was in the planning stages. Ground was broken on the late Congresswoman's birthday, and finished about one year later.

Thanks for the response. Im not speaking of CSU students though. It is filled up before even reaching CSU's central campus.

^ I am not sure how that can happen. There are usually 2-3 people who board AT or BEFORE the transit center, and when I have been on, it has been almost empty when it pulls up to the first CSU stop. After that, it has been full.

Ha ha ha. My co-worker, who rides the rapid to work, just got a message that her train, which she boards around 7:30am, will be 10 minutes late this morning. It's 11:48am.

I'll have to try that one with my boss next Tuesday

Ha ha ha. My co-worker, who rides the rapid to work, just got a message that her train, which she boards around 7:30am, will be 10 minutes late this morning. It's 11:48am.

 

Thats pathetic.  Jerry and/or Jetdog, what could be the reason something like this happened?

^ Let's not rush to judgement until we have all the facts. Remember, there are 3 parts to every message -- the sender, the mode of communication, and the receiver. ( I typed this, and then waited five minutes.)

 

I checked and here's the response I received -- verbatim.

 

"I checked the Commuter Alerts that I received and there was no Alert sent around noon today. There was an alert sent at 7:53am for a train scheduled to arrive at the Airport at 813am. This is the likely text message sent. The queuing could have occurred with the customer's cell phone carrier." It was signed by the Service Quality Manager. He supervises the staff that issues the Commuter Alerts.

 

Many employees at RTA subscribe to Commuter Alerts, so we can see just what the customer sees. A time difference like the one mentioned  would have set off a lot of red flags.

 

To subscribe to Commuter Alerts, go to: http://commuteralerts.riderta.com/CommuterAlerts/

 

Have a good night.

 

^ Let's not rush to judgement until we have all the facts. Remember, there are 3 parts to every message -- the sender, the mode of communication, and the receiver. ( I typed this, and then waited five minutes.)

 

I checked and here's the response I received -- verbatim.

 

"I checked the Commuter Alerts that I received and there was no Alert sent around noon today. There was an alert sent at 7:53am for a train scheduled to arrive at the Airport at 813am. This is the likely text message sent. The queuing could have occurred with the customer's cell phone carrier." It was signed by the Service Quality Manager. He supervises the staff that issues the Commuter Alerts.

 

Many employees at RTA subscribe to Commuter Alerts, so we can see just what the customer sees. A time difference like the one mentioned  would have set off a lot of red flags.

 

To subscribe to Commuter Alerts, go to: http://commuteralerts.riderta.com/CommuterAlerts/

 

Have a good night.

 

 

Jerry I always give you the benefit of the doubt.  The way the post was written I did think the situation was pathetic.  However, in hind-site I thought about the possibility that RnR's office mate may have been out of cell range or had the mobile radios on their device off.  that is a large chunk of time.

Or perhaps her and her coworker are "Out of it"!

^ Let's not rush to judgement until we have all the facts. Remember, there are 3 parts to every message -- the sender, the mode of communication, and the receiver. ( I typed this, and then waited five minutes.)

 

I checked and here's the response I received -- verbatim.

 

"I checked the Commuter Alerts that I received and there was no Alert sent around noon today. There was an alert sent at 7:53am for a train scheduled to arrive at the Airport at 813am. This is the likely text message sent. The queuing could have occurred with the customer's cell phone carrier." It was signed by the Service Quality Manager. He supervises the staff that issues the Commuter Alerts.

 

Many employees at RTA subscribe to Commuter Alerts, so we can see just what the customer sees. A time difference like the one mentioned  would have set off a lot of red flags.

 

To subscribe to Commuter Alerts, go to: http://commuteralerts.riderta.com/CommuterAlerts/

 

Have a good night.

 

 

Jerry I always give you the benefit of the doubt.  The way the post was written I did think the situation was pathetic.  However, in hind-site I thought about the possibility that RnR's office mate may have been out of cell range or had the mobile radios on their device off.  that is a large chunk of time.

I will pass this along. By the way, don't appreciate the comment that I'm out of it. I was simply passing on the message from my co-worker. I will let her know what time it was sent and suggest it's the fault of her carrier.

My co-worker thanks you for the follow-up and now blames Verizon for the delay in receiving the message.

I am pleased we could clear that up.

Question: When will the neon "RTA" sign be repaired at W. 25th Rapid station? The light has been out for a long time now.

 

Oh, guess it will be that way indefinitely... No answer.

^Chill out and be patient. JMasek didn't reply to RnR's post for several hours, I am sure he is a busy man and replies to our concerns as soon as he can.

^ I had to check first to see who handles this kind of work, and then I called. The person spends a lot of time in the field (as he should), so he may not get back to me until Tuesday morning.

See you all next year.

 

Actually, that sign at 25th has been malfunctioning off and on for many months now. It was out for awhile, then fixed, then out again - I can't remember specific dates, but it's certainly been on and off throughout the fall. If it was repaired, there must be some recurring issue. It's always the 'A' in RTA; sometimes the whole sign.

 

Thanks for your attention to this thread.

^ Regarding the neon sign at the West 25th Street Station, RTA's Facilities Maintenance people are aware of it. The sign is made especially for RTA, and it should arrive here around Feb. 1.

^ Regarding the neon sign at the West 25th Street Station, RTA's Facilities Maintenance people are aware of it. The sign is made especially for RTA, and it should arrive here around Feb. 1.

Hey Jerry, Happy New Year.

 

I think I've asked this before but in situations like this, is there a space at train stations where Station and Service issues can be listed?  If such a space currently exist, please let me know.  I'll admit I'm not paying attention.

 

Ex.  We (RTA) are aware that a sign, escalator, window, light is non operational and x item will be repaired on (approximately) x date.

 

 

 

 

^ There is no such space that I am aware of. Predicting when something will be fixed has many variables, and target dates often change.

 

* For example, safety-related issues always take a higher priority over all other issues.

 

* The weather is a factor too. The staff that plows the snow at stations has duties to perform when there is no snow. If we get bombarded with lots of bad weather, then those other duties may drop to a lesser priority.

 

* Some issues, like elevator-escalator repair and the neon sign at W. 25, are handled by vendors. Even if RTA promptly reports an issue to a vendor, they may not give us a promised date of repair, or adhere to it if they do give us one.

 

I am aware of times when RTA put up informational signs for the customer, when elevator/escalator repairs took unusually long.

 

We both agree that customer communication is important, and we are working to improve that. Our Commuter Alerts for rail is a good example.

^ There is no such space that I am aware of. Predicting when something will be fixed has many variables, and target dates often change.

 

* For example, safety-related issues always take a higher priority over all other issues.

 

* The weather is a factor too. The staff that plows the snow at stations has duties to perform when there is no snow. If we get bombarded with lots of bad weather, then those other duties may drop to a lesser priority.

 

* Some issues, like elevator-escalator repair and the neon sign at W. 25, are handled by vendors. Even if RTA promptly reports an issue to a vendor, they may not give us a promised date of repair, or adhere to it if they do give us one.

 

I am aware of times when RTA put up informational signs for the customer, when elevator/escalator repairs took unusually long.

 

We both agree that customer communication is important, and we are working to improve that. Our Commuter Alerts for rail is a good example.

 

Commuter Alerts are great but might I suggest for the future an "Information Center" for the rail stations where things can be posted.  Example, service delays, reroutes, situations at the stations.  Just a thought.

"There is no such space that I am aware of. Predicting when something will be fixed has many variables, and target dates often change."

 

The Shaker Van Aken tracks must be one of those things, since it seems it has been a nightmare since 2009, but hey it looks like it will be repaired sometime in 2013.  2013!  (ok there may be some repairs sooner)

 

From the Road Rant column:

 

"The problem dates back a few yearly calendars, too, as Road Rant issued a "Rough Travel Advisory" for the crossing in April 2009. So will this long-neglected spot ever get fixed?

 

Well, yes, actually. A $1.3 million reconstruction of the crossing is scheduled for 2013, according to Mary McCahon, a spokeswoman for the RTA. She emailed that the job will include more paving than what is required to "help address the extreme deterioration of this intersection of tracks and roads in one project."

 

In the meantime, the RTA said it would investigate the possibility of temporary repairs in the spring to smooth things over until construction crews do their thing. "We have heard the complaints," McCahon said.

 

Better yet, they're finally responding to 'em."

http://www.cleveland.com/roadrant/index.ssf/2012/01/fix_planned_for_rough_rapid_tr.html

 

 

 

 

 

Jerry,

 

wanted to revisit something we discussed before -- the rolling video train schedule (next 3 trains), in Tower City... If I recall, it was mentioned that this service was through paid sponsors who were advertised on screen... Is there any way RTA could get this (or similar service) back?  It was tremendously helpful in terms of planning -- no more did we have to fumble through Rapid timetables (which sometimes were not in stock or on the TC shelves)... And as a Green Line rider, it was convenient for Red Line transfers to the airport and Ohio City (which we use often in warm weather).  Plus, with new development in the Flats and at Univ. Circle, I could see the service coming in handy for those trips as well...  And with potentially thousands of new casino riders coming aboard with a greater influx of riders, this would be invaluable... So I'd appreciate understanding what the chances are for RTA regaining this valuable service.

 

Thanks in advance.

^The LED "next train" displays are gone?

 

Jerry, one other question: do you know if RTA has closed on its sale of 6611 Euclid (the property next to the Dunham Tavern) to Cumberland?  And if not, do you know if it's still on track?

 

Thanks!

^The LED "next train" displays are gone?

 

Jerry, one other question: do you know if RTA has closed on its sale of 6611 Euclid (the property next to the Dunham Tavern) to Cumberland?  And if not, do you know if it's still on track?

 

Thanks!

 

The LEDs are still there, as they are in most/all Red Line stations, but the larger video screens (including a huge one just outside the stations visible from the mall area) showing the "next 3 trains" have been removed.  The latter interspersed paid ads (subsidizing the service) which IIRC created some issue/problem leading to the screens removal... The LEDs, btw, are frequently inaccurate and non-functional.

Re: the sale of 6611 Euclid Ave.

 

The press release posted at http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1688 outlines the agenda for the Dec. 20 Board meeting. It lists all the resolutions the Board will consider, including:

 

2011-115 – Authorizing the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to enter into a purchase and sale agreement in the amount of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) with Cumberland Development, LLC or its nominee to sell Cuyahoga County Auditor’s permanent parcel numbers 118-06-025, 118-06-026, 118-06-027, and 118-06-050 which is located at 6611 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio (“Property”) and to declare it excess real property

 

The follow-up press release, http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1689, says that all resolutions were adopted.

Thanks Jerry.