^^Seriously? I'd just hit it with my car. That much cash would be more than enough to replace the car and pay any fines from driving on the sidewalk. Even if that doesn't break the glass, it'd break the frame holding it.

Note from Bryan Moore, supervisor, RTA shelter shop:

 

Thanks for the information.  I have received several calls, but the solar shelters that are on Mayfield at Warrensville and Coventry, WB belong to the City of Cleveland Heights. They have been notified every time I am informed.  They are working on fixing it.

 

 

This reminded me of something I saw in my fb feed:

 

"Bulletproof glass manufacturer 3M Security Glass placed this advertisement at a bus stop. There's apparently $3 million in cash inside there, behind their bulletproof glass. If you can break it, it's yours."

 

Just to debunk this, and get us back on topic: this was done about 7 years ago, there was actually only $500 in real money inside, and there was a security guard nearby, as well as restrictions on how the glass could be broken: http://gizmodo.com/170504/3m-security-glass-ad .

RTA ridership up by 2 million rides in 2012: http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1834

 

Agenda for Jan. 22 RTA Board meeting: http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1832

A hydrogen-fueled bus has joined RTA's fleet: http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1818

If you are at Tower City during rush hour, stop in to the Rotunda and hear some great music.

 

http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1833

That makes it look like the Red Line will have over a 6 million ridership this year which would be the first time going back to 1995 where the numbers I have begin!

RTA ridership up by 2 million rides in 2012: http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1834

 

 

Great news! Nice quote by Joe!

Actual Red Line ridership in 2012 -- 6.24 million

Actual Red Line ridership in 2012 -- 6.24 million

 

Great thanks!

Congrats, Jerry, Jet and RTA on the great ridership numbers!  Fingers crossed the recent increase in service helps keep the trend going in 2013!

Does anybody remember if there is some type of layout posted of the Red Line car's overhall. Including any different seating arrangements and configurations of the space for bikes,wheel chairs, or those motorized scooter things? Or is it not possible to use these on the Red Line?

What caused the Red/Blue/Green lines to shut down this morning during rush hour? This was a chance for rail to shine while people slid to work through lake-effect snow squalls.

I do not know if a layout is available, but all the things you mentioned are allowed:

1. In open areas by the doors.

2. In an open area near the doors, where seats have been removed.

3. If a car is full (such as on March 17 or for a Browns game), allowing bikes to board is at the discretion of the operator.

There was a power problem around Tower City, and a bus bridge was formed. Full service began to resume around 7am, but it took a while to reach the point of normalcy. We apologize for the inconvenience.

There was a power problem around Tower City, and a bus bridge was formed. Full service began to resume around 7am, but it took a while to reach the point of normalcy. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Thanks for the info.

There was a power problem around Tower City, and a bus bridge was formed. Full service began to resume around 7am, but it took a while to reach the point of normalcy. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

I was stuck in this.  Full service did not resume around 7am.  I realize this kind of thing is never easy to handle, but RTA's communication during this incident was lacking in some key respects.  Anyway, here's what I experienced:

 

I got on at Brook Park at 6:30 (Jerry:  When did RTA become aware of this?  Another passenger said 5 am, but I'd like to double-check with you).  Anyway, we were not even told about the the problem until around Madison/117th.  The only information we got at that point was that a bus would pick us up at West 25th, take us to Tower City, then to E. 79th St station for passengers continuing east. 

 

Upon exiting at W 25th, the shuttle bus had not yet arrived and there was already a big line of people waiting.-- I'd say a good 3 buses worth.    (Jerry:  how many buses did RTA dispatch to West 25th for the bridge?)  Since it was so cold, a bunch of us (including me) got on the 81 to go to Tower City.  Note:  I'm not complaining about the bus(es) not being there. Given the weather and that RTA probably had to call in drivers who were not on the schedule, I know that sort of thing is going to take time, especially in a heavy, lake-effect snow event. 

 

When I got off at Tower City, I was going to take the Health Line, since my destination was UH Main Campus.  But, they seemed a bit behind too and since the Health Line takes awhile to get to UH. when I saw the Red Line shuttle pull in, and figured, "Well, they bus is supposed to be going to E. 79th, that shouldn't take too long since it's not making any stops". I figured it might still be quicker than the Health Line, so I got on the shuttle.  I asked the driver if it was going to E 79th Station.  He said yes.  Well, instead of taking a direct route to E. 79th, like Carnegie, then south on 79th to the station, it went out to Broadway and started on this circuitous journey.  We didn't know what was going on.  We ended up going to E55th and got there about 20 minutes later.  Were we told that the bus would first go to E55th?  No. 

 

We got to E. 79th station at 8:00.  There were other passengers there.  One of them said:  I've been here since 7AM and there hasn't been a single train.  I tried to call RTA, no luck.  "All representatives busy."  I went back up to the street to call my wife and let her know what was going on.  While on the phone with her, an RTA employee in a small SUV pulled up and parked on the sidewalk about 100 yards south of the station.  I was going to talk to him but I didn't get a chance.  I saw a bus coming toward the station from the south (heading north).  I asked a gentleman who was waiting for that bus if it went to Euclid Ave.  He said yes.  So I jumped on.  And went back to the Health Line.  I didn't have time to tell any of the passengers on the platform about the bus.  As it turns out, I was only 20 minutes late for my 8:30 appointment (all that got messed up was my plan to get breakfast at the Atrium Cafe in the hospital beforehand). 

 

I understand the difficulties in coordinating a response to an incident like this, but RTA's communication needs to be better.  Here's my critique.  Any information that I'm missing and thus leading my critique in a direction it shouldn't go, I'd be happy if Jerry would chime in: 

 

1.  If RTA did in fact know about this before my train left, they driver should have been instructed to announce it at every station BEFORE the train left giving oncoming passengers an opportunity to change their transportation plans.  Even after the first announcement just before arriving at Madison/West 117th, the operator said no more about it until we got to West. 25th.  Maybe it was on the scrolling signs in the stations?  If it was, I missed it (are they even working these days?)

 

2.  The driver of the shuttle bus should have been instructed to tell passengers at both West 25th and Tower City that the shuttle bus would be stopping first at E. 55th, again giving passengers a chance to adjust their plans.  Better yet, don't make the shuttle bus from West 25th even go 55th.  Dispatch a separate bus if at all possible. 

 

3.  Even more puzzling, RTA had to know the trains still weren't running from E. 79th as late as 8 am.  There needed to be more communication between RTA management and the shuttle bus driver about the status of the trains.  It was 8 degrees.  Why go through the exercise of taking passengers there when the trains aren't running?  Definite communication breakdown here. 

 

4.  There was an RTA employee at West 25th when we got off the train.  I don't know why she was there, but she was trying to get information for the passengers about the status of the shuttle bus.  Seems to me, that kind of information should be easy for an RTA employee to get when such an incident is going on.  Jerry:  Does RTA have some sort of "incident commander" (for lack of a better term) when such things happen?  It seems to me that during such incidents, someone should be responsible specifically getting information to passengers via bus drivers, train operators, and there should be someone for RTA employees to call who are trying to go the extra mile and help, like the RTA employee at West 25th.  Would it be difficult to set up a communication strategy and SOP for such incidents? 

 

The biggest complaint people had was just a lack of information. 

 

5.  Did RTA tell any radio or TV stations about this? 

 

Two other observations of the early 21st century human species:

 

1.  It seems a lot of people don't know how to dress for the weather anymore.  Some people had no gloves or hats, inappropriate shoes, and/or were not well layered for the cold.  Stuff happens that can mess up your plans, be prepared.  Maybe it's just me, but it seems that people used to think of such things more often than they do now.

 

2.  All the people with smart phones out there (I still do not have one-- can't afford it), and I didn't see a single person checking RTA bus routes and schedules for alternative options when we were waiting around at West 25th.  If I had one, that's what I would have been doing.  I just guessed that the 81 might be going downtown and asked the RTA employee who was there. 

 

My two cents, whether it's worth that much or not...

 

1.  It seems a lot of people don't know how to dress for the weather anymore.  Some people had no gloves or hats, inappropriate shoes, and/or were not well layered for the cold.  Stuff happens that can mess up your plans, be prepared.  Maybe it's just me, but it seems that people used to think of such things more often than they do now.

I imagine folks weren't expecting to get stuck standing outside because the train to broke down. I probably wouldn't be dressed appropriately either. I frequently just wear a hoodie walking from my car to my job, even if it's cold outside since it's only a short walk. If the doors to my building were locked for whatever reason, I would be stuck outside freezing my butt off.

I've been riding the rapid to work regularly since July and one thing I have noticed is that VERY few drivers make any effort to alert their passengers if there is an issue or if there's confusion to which line they are. It's very irritating. A simple announcement would be so helpful in these instances.

^ We agree. They have all been instructed to do so.

Gildone, I am sorry that you had such a horrific trip. I will pass along the info to those who were in charge, so we can handle things better next time. I have 2 points to share with you.

 

1. I recommend you subscribe to Commuter Alerts. It is the single best way to keep up with unexpected rail service changes.

 

2. Anytime a bus replaces a train, the bus serves ALL the Rapid Stations affected. We should not assume that every passenger knows this.

I recall the reasons why from the last time we discussed it, but I still think it's a shame that RTA doesn't provide service to the IX Center.

I believe I had mentioned this previously, but I'm putting it out there again because it's "really real", and I (we) need your help.

 

We're in the process of completely redeveloping the rideRTA.com website, and part of that process is a round of usability testing to ensure the validity of our site design against a real world audience. I'm looking for 2-3 volunteers who would be available for about an hour each during the day on Tuesday, January 29, to participate in this testing, which will take place at the RTA Main Office, 1240 W 6th St.

 

In these single-user sessions, you'll be given a scripted set of tasks to complete within the site, while one or more observers will take notes on the steps you take and record any feedback you might have. This type of usability testing will go a long way toward ensuring the continued success of our online presence.

 

The sessions I have available are as follows:

 

10:00-10:45

1:45-2:30

2:30-3:15

4:15-5:00

 

Light refreshments will be provided, and I would ask that anyone volunteering arrive about 15 minutes early to attend to any administrative tasks. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to [email protected] noting your name,  the session(s) you are available for, and a reliable means to contact you. No transit experience is necessary, as we want a wide range of perspectives -- you just need a desire to contribute.

 

I greatly appreciate the support and, yes, even the criticism we've received on this forum. The open dialogue has yielded quite a bit of understanding on both sides.

Gildone, I am sorry that you had such a horrific trip. I will pass along the info to those who were in charge, so we can handle things better next time. I have 2 points to share with you.

 

1. I recommend you subscribe to Commuter Alerts. It is the single best way to keep up with unexpected rail service changes.

 

2. Anytime a bus replaces a train, the bus serves ALL the Rapid Stations affected. We should not assume that every passenger knows this.

 

Actually, Jerry, I wasn't all that upset about things, other than the lack of communication.  Most of this incident just falls into the "stuff" happens category.  I'm sure RTA didn't plan on having a power failure yesterday morning.  :-) 

 

I will mention that I've seen the level of communication at RTA improve quite a bit up until it peaked a few years ago, since then, it has been gradually slipping again. 

 

What is Commuter Alerts?  If it's an e-mail thing, it may help for planned changes, but it probably wouldn't have helped me yesterday.  I don't have a smart phone (can't afford one). 

 

Just remember a little communication goes a long way.  Sometimes information that may not seem relevant to RTA, is all customers need to make them feel like they are being kept in the loop. 

 

 

^ Yes, we are doing a better job of communicating, and yes, we can do better, and we will. Several staff members here are reading your message and looking to see how we can handle it better next time.

 

For more info on Commuter Alerts, go to www.rideRTA.com/commuteralerts

 

You can have messages sent to a PC, as well as a mobile device. I do not have a smart phone either.

RTA buys 10 Paratransit vehicles that are fueled with propane, others may follow.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/01/rta_looking_at_replacing_its_f.html

FYI, from a Washington DC newsletter, "Morning Transportation". It centers on Congressional issues, but does have other news.

 

MOMENTUM FOR METRO: Our subway system wants to grow up and get some "Momentum." That's the name of WMATA $26 billion plan for Metro, which would dig new downtown tunnels to increase capacity, create new Rosslyn and Pentagon stations and add new pedestrian tunnels at the Farraguts and Metro Center/Chinatown. Metro's board launched the forward-looking discussion in its Thursday meeting, and is on a timeline to officially adopt the plan by mid-year. Many of the largest improvements would be further out, by 2040, but new bus networks, pocket tracks and the uniform distribution of eight-car trains would come sooner, by 2025. If - and it's a big if - Metro finds some more money.

^ Yes, we are doing a better job of communicating, and yes, we can do better, and we will. Several staff members here are reading your message and looking to see how we can handle it better next time.

 

For more info on Commuter Alerts, go to www.rideRTA.com/commuteralerts

 

You can have messages sent to a PC, as well as a mobile device. I do not have a smart phone either.

 

One thing to think of is recommending possible bus transfers that still go downtown.  I don't know how much you would want to put into the Commuter Alerts besides the information regarding the outage/delay but the twitter feed may be prefect for this.  ie. "In addition to shuttles from the W25th station the 81 Bus will take you to Public Square".  Just something else to think about.

 

Overall the Commuter alert worked perfectly for me as I made the choice to drive in that day (not really a time savings as 90 was a nightmare).

The new displays at TC station are operating, designating between inner/outer track and blue/green line. THANK YOU Rta, this will work wonders!! :)

You can have messages sent to a PC, as well as a mobile device. I do not have a smart phone either.

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4504.8575.html#ixzz2J2CJiORd

 

Thanks.  That's what I thought, though.  It wouldn't have helped me that particular day.  I just didn't have time to fire up the PC that morning.  When you are leaving the house at 6:15A, you usually do the minimum you need to in order to get out of the house.  I'll try to remember to allow time for that in the future.  If I had a smart phone, it would have worked.  I wish that was in our budget...

 

Thanks for listening Jerry and passing along my message. 

 

If I had to do it over again, I would have just stuck with the Health Line once I got downtown and then I probably wouldn't have thought to even mention anything here about the incident. 

 

You can have messages sent to a PC, as well as a mobile device. I do not have a smart phone either.

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4504.8575.html#ixzz2J2CJiORd

 

Thanks.  That's what I thought, though.  It wouldn't have helped me that particular day.  I just didn't have time to fire up the PC that morning.  When you are leaving the house at 6:15A, you usually do the minimum you need to in order to get out of the house.  I'll try to remember to allow time for that in the future.  If I had a smart phone, it would have worked.  I wish that was in our budget...

 

Thanks for listening Jerry and passing along my message. 

 

If I had to do it over again, I would have just stuck with the Health Line once I got downtown and then I probably wouldn't have thought to even mention anything here about the incident.

 

Gildone, I assume Jerry means they're sent as txt messages.  You don't need a smartphone for that.

The new displays at TC station are operating, designating between inner/outer track and blue/green line. THANK YOU Rta, this will work wonders!! :)

 

This is good to know.

RTA's Waterfront Line stations will get repairs with Flats East Bank on the way

 

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/01/rtas_waterfront_line_stations.html#incart_river_default

 

 

RTA's Waterfront Line stations will get repairs with Flats East Bank on the way

By Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer

on January 25, 2013 at 9:00 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- RTA will fix up two stations on the little-used Waterfront Line in the Flats, as the opening of the Flats East Bank development approaches.

 

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority board this week approved $375,200 in repairs to the train platforms at Settlers Landing and Main Avenue.

 

The stations haven't seen regular use since 2010. RTA ended daily operation of the Waterfront Line after most businesses along the once-thriving east bank closed.

 

The line runs on weekends from Terminal Tower to the city Municipal Parking Lot. It's an extension of RTA's Blue-Green lines.

 

Read more at:  http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/01/rtas_waterfront_line_stations.html#incart_river_default

"Main Avenue" station?  Is RTA planning on changing Flats East Bank's name?

RTA's Waterfront Line stations will get repairs with Flats East Bank on the way

 

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/01/rtas_waterfront_line_stations.html#incart_river_default

 

I can't wait for this. Although I will be using the North Coast station. Hopefully they really educate riders about this big change. Btw, if a person got in at Green Road would all trains proceed onto the WFL or just certain ones? Or maybe they're going with a diff schedule than back when it ran full service before.

Awesome news!  Now let's extend the waterfront line! ;)

I can't wait for this. Although I will be using the North Coast station. Hopefully they really educate riders about this big change. Btw, if a person got in at Green Road would all trains proceed onto the WFL or just certain ones? Or maybe they're going with a diff schedule than back when it ran full service before.

 

Good question. When GCRTA terminated weekday operations, it had been operating the WFL with the Green Line going through to the Waterfront Line. The trains then returned east as Blue Line trains. So no matter what, at least half the riders had to transfer either coming or going. If it were up to me, I'd pick one of the lines to run through Tower City. And I'd probably pick the Green Line since it has fewer riders than the Blue Line. I'd like to beef up that line's ridership. Of course, if money were no object, I'd run both lines through to the WFL but I'd probably want to see more development along the WFL first.

 

Awesome news!  Now let's extend the waterfront line! ;)

 

Especially with CSU's housing starting to spread north toward the lake. I'd like to see this rail extension to help accelerate development of the no-man's land between downtown and Asiatown.

Jet dog, I tried to pm you but your box is full

 

I can test at 4:15 if you still need someone

 

I am a developer at a logistics software company. I started out doing QA implementation and support on our satellite communication product

 

I use RTA semi-regularly. Mostly the 26 and the blue and red lines

 

E mail me at kennyn7  at yahoo if you still need bodies

I can't wait for this. Although I will be using the North Coast station. Hopefully they really educate riders about this big change. Btw, if a person got in at Green Road would all trains proceed onto the WFL or just certain ones? Or maybe they're going with a diff schedule than back when it ran full service before.

 

Good question. When GCRTA terminated weekday operations, it had been operating the WFL with the Green Line going through to the Waterfront Line. The trains then returned east as Blue Line trains. So no matter what, at least half the riders had to transfer either coming or going. If it were up to me, I'd pick one of the lines to run through Tower City. And I'd probably pick the Green Line since it has fewer riders than the Blue Line. I'd like to beef up that line's ridership. Of course, if money were no object, I'd run both lines through to the WFL but I'd probably want to see more development along the WFL first.

 

Awesome news!  Now let's extend the waterfront line! ;)

 

Especially with CSU's housing starting to spread north toward the lake. I'd like to see this rail extension to help accelerate development of the no-man's land between downtown and Asiatown.

 

I thought sometime back, Jerry indicated that RTA may run both the Blue and Green lines through during non rush hour.  It make sense because it would establish a 15 minute base for the Waterfront Line.  The half-hourly schedule, now used on weekends, would make no sense for such a short, downtown oriented line.  People can walk the distance in that amount of time waiting for trains and even the workers, hotel guests and restaurant visitors wouldn't even bother with the WFL unless it had the fairly frequent 15-min base.  Half hourly trains would doom the Waterfront Line to failure.

Jet dog, I tried to pm you but your box is full

 

I can test at 4:15 if you still need someone

 

I am a developer at a logistics software company. I started out doing QA implementation and support on our satellite communication product

 

I use RTA semi-regularly. Mostly the 26 and the blue and red lines

 

E mail me at kennyn7  at yahoo if you still need bodies

 

Email sent, the slot is available, so I've penciled you in. Contact me at [email protected] to finalize.

These waterfront stations are in need of some sprucing up as also does the adjacent SL Park. Perhaps this will promote such. The city has done a terrible job maintaining Flats parks how they should be so maybe regular movement along the lines may bring more focus.

The name of the station remains Flats East Bank. There was an error made on a paper that The Plain Dealer received.

 

 

Maybe if the International Film Festival (and downtown businesses) offered to validate transit passes as it does to validate parking slips, downtown wouldn't suffer such a parking problem?

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/01/cleveland_casino_other_project.html#incart_special-report

^I rarely read comments after articles but noticed that at least 75% of the comments were either that there's plenty of parking, or that a lack of parking is a good thing.

Once upon a time (2006) I created some graphics like these to show we don't have a parking problem. We have a transit and land use problem.......

 

 

 

 

Developing one regional rail line to Lorain County (West Shore Corridor http://www.ridewestshore.com/) or to Lake County (http://tinyurl.com/b5wmupe) could cost $150 million in start-up investment, plus operating funding of maybe $5 million to $10 million per year. But it would avail enough land downtown for a development having a similar value (as the rail's start-up costs) as measured by a one-time investment. That doesn't include the ongoing economic benefit to the City of Cleveland and its school system from having those properties generate income and property taxes in the many millions of dollars per year, offsetting the cost of the rail's operating support. And the rail lines would have many other benefits, including saving travel costs that get spent by rail users in the local economy (called the consumer surplus), energy and environmental benefits, and station-area developments in neighborhoods and communities served by the trains.

Regarding the parking issue, RTA is already working closely with Film Festival officials to raise awareness of all options. I believe the Film Festival office will offer you a transit pass when you purchase an advance ticket to the festival....and so on.

Now that the PD has clearly defined the parking "problem", we urge them to give equal space to the solution.

We need NOACA to do what transit agencies like GCRTA, Laketran, Lorain County Transit cannot do -- plan for transit development across county lines.......

__________

 

http://www.gcbl.org/blog/2013/02/heres-your-chance-to-critique-noacas-transportation-planning

 

Here's your chance to critique NOACA's transportation planning

David Beach  |  02/01/13 @ 11:00am   |  Posted in Transportation choices

 

Is the region’s transportation system helping to create the walkable, vibrant, energy-conserving, affordable communities we will need to be sustainable in the future? Or is it producing more sprawl and dependence on the automobile?

 

Citizens have an important opportunity to address such questions during the federal certification review of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), which is happening this month. A public meeting for comments will be conducted on Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. at the NOACA offices, 1299 Superior Ave. in downtown Cleveland.

 

NOACA is the federally designated transportation planning agency for Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Geauga, and Lake counties. Every four years the agency must be recertified by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This is mostly a bureaucratic process that reviews whether long lists of federal planning requirements are being followed. But it’s also a chance to ensure that the major transportation planning issues facing a metropolitan area are being addressed.

 

The Federal Highway Administration says, “Transportation planning should reflect the community's vision for its future. It should also include a comprehensive consideration of possible strategies; an evaluation process that encompasses diverse viewpoints; the collaborative participation of relevant transportation-related agencies and organizations; and an open, timely, and meaningful involvement of the public. Transportation planning requires a comprehensive, holistic look at the needs and the future of the region and its inhabitants.”

 

Do you think our region is doing this? Do we have a real strategy for investing hundreds of millions of transportation dollars (perhaps the largest flow of capital dollars flowing into the region) to redevelop our cities and create the livable places we want and need?

 

For instance, cities throughout the world are promoting bicycling to achieve dramatic improvements in urban livability. What is NOACA’s strategy for increasing the mode share of bikes in Northeast Ohio to some reasonable goal of perhaps five percent?

 

Or what is the strategy for reducing carbon emissions from transportation? In the big picture, there’s nothing more important than reducing the risks of climate change.

 

So come to the meeting on February 7 to tell federal officials what you think.

 

If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, you can still send comments until February 14, 2013, to these officials:

 

Andy Johns, Federal Highway Administration, 200 North High Street, Suite 328, Columbus, OH 43215 ([email protected])

 

Susan Weber, Federal Transit Administration, 200 West Adams Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606 ([email protected])

Jerry,

 

i appreciate your response to my earlier comment in this thread about smokers but unfortunately im not seeing any real action being taken. there seem to be an ever increasing numbers of smokers who blatantly smoke at stations and it actually deters me from riding RTA. i have called numerous times to complain and have even told employees about it. last week at tower city there was someone smoking inside the blue/green line station so i went out to tell the employee at the turnstiles about it. they said that they would have someone come out.......no one ever did. these people are breaking a law and getting away with it.

 

also, instead of spending money to provide musical entertainment RTA should be spending that money on not cutting service and expanding rail service. i cant tell you how many times i've been on a bus (and sometimes rapid) where you can barely even get off of it. hate to be critical, but i dont think RTA is using its resources in the best manner.