Many of the rail station park-n-ride lots were full by the 1pm start of the parade. Cleveland couldn't have the nation's fifth-largest St. Patrick's day parade without the Rapid...

 

Greater Cleve RTA ‏@GCRTA  9h9 hours ago

Party train leaving Green Rd! #CLEStPats

 

 

 

 

Kevin J Goodman ‏@MosesCLE  43m43 minutes ago University Heights, OH

#DesignatedDriver  @GCRTA @AllAboardOhio #StPatricksDay

 

I love the St. Paddy's Day themed all day passes. Apparently they were stamped on the back with the location of purchase in case the rider was a bit too inebriated on the way home and forgot where they got on

:wtf:

 

The note said Green Rd. Was it on the Green line? If so, it is standing room. How can there be regular service with this kind of load?

 

:wtf:

 

The note said Green Rd. Was it on the Green line? If so, it is standing room. How can there be regular service with this kind of load?

 

 

Pretty easy way to remember that the Green Line goes to Green Road. The Blue Line doesn't.

 

It's St. Patrick's day. Nothing regular happens in Cleveland on St. Patrick's day. Many people don't go into work. Some people start drinking at 6 a.m. Others leave work early. I worked from home today so that I didn't have go to the office downtown. My sister works downtown and she worked this morning only.

 

And if you think standing room-only is a problem, try riding the Red Line to the west side during rush hour. Or the HealthLine at mid-afternoon. Or the West 25th buses north of MetroHealth at any time of the day or night. Or the 22 when St. Ignatius is letting out. Or the 41F to/from Glenwillow in Solon which is so full sometimes it leaves passengers waiting curbside....

StreetsblogOhio ‏@StreetsblogOhio  5h5 hours ago

This is cool. Cleveland has its first track to help take bikes up and down stairs at its Lee Road Rapid Station.

 

Where?  I don't see it.

StreetsblogOhio ‏@StreetsblogOhio  5h5 hours ago

This is cool. Cleveland has its first track to help take bikes up and down stairs at its Lee Road Rapid Station.

 

Where?  I don't see it.

It's that yellow strip on the left side of the stairs.

Wouldn't your bike run into the railing?

Forced to? 62 percent of RTA riders have a driver's license and live in a household with a car.

 

This doesn't necessarily negate the fact that they may be forced to use RTA.

This doesn't necessarily negate the fact that they may be forced to use RTA.

 

But where you bring unsubstantiated innuendo and trolling comments, I bring decades of research, data and experience in the field.

Wouldn't your bike run into the railing?

 

Not if you tilt the bike a little bit.

FYI: Clevelanders for Public Transit will be holding a Rally for Public Transit outside of RTA headquarters at 11:30am this coming Monday. Here is the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1096472210374333/. Please try to come if you want to lend your voice to supporting transit in the region. RTA's first public meeting on the fare increase/service cut will immediately follow at 12pm.

Forced to? 62 percent of RTA riders have a driver's license and live in a household with a car.

 

This doesn't necessarily negate the fact that they may be forced to use RTA.

 

Perhaps, since that number could be six licensed drivers and one car.

 

I prefer not to use "forced".  I might talk about those with (or without) other options.  But there's nothing compulsory here.

I attended the hearing today in a packed room.  Any one else there?  RTA gave a summary of route changes proposed and explained the funding situation.  They also explained the efforts they made to advertise the hearings and asked for specifics on how the changes would affect customers.  Did anyone see notices of the hearings or proposed reduction of services on the buses or rapid?  I rode 4 different lines last week and didn't see any notices of these hearings on the buses. Since this is where the riders are, I would think it would be  a good place to post notices.

I attended the hearing today in a packed room.  Any one else there?  RTA gave a summary of route changes proposed and explained the funding situation.  They also explained the efforts they made to advertise the hearings and asked for specifics on how the changes would affect customers.  Did anyone see notices of the hearings or proposed reduction of services on the buses or rapid?  I rode 4 different lines last week and didn't see any notices of these hearings on the buses. Since this is where the riders are, I would think it would be  a good place to post notices.

 

Yes, I had taken the 26 westbound (one of the extended buses, forget the name of this model) about 45 minutes ago and specifically recall seeing the meeting schedule on the overhead advertising, placed near the front of the bus.

RTA has got to improve signage for the Waterfront Line in Tower City.  Right now finding the WFL platform area is like going on a scavenger hunt; it's ridiculous.  Hopefully this terrible situation will be rectified by the RNC in July as the WFL is an ideal route to/from FEB and even the Rock Hall from the convention floor in the Q.  It's too bad RTA has waited until the RNC to fix a situation that should have been dealt with long ago.

 

I know some people continually bemoan the poor patronage of the WFL.  Unfortunately RTA has compounded matters by making the Line invisible to people at street level ... and even at station level inside Tower City.  RTA does a terrible job of promoting the line.

RTA has got to improve signage for the Waterfront Line in Tower City.  Right now finding the WFL platform area is like going on a scavenger hunt; it's ridiculous.  Hopefully this terrible situation will be rectified by the RNC in July as the WFL is an ideal route to/from FEB and even the Rock Hall from the convention floor in the Q.  It's too bad RTA has waited until the RNC to fix a situation that should have been dealt with long ago.

 

I know some people continually bemoan the poor patronage of the WFL.  Unfortunately RTA has compounded matters by making the Line invisible to people at street level ... and even at station level inside Tower City.  RTA does a terrible job of promoting the line.

 

Hmm...you always focus on the negative; sound familiar?  If the City's rep for RTA and an RTA Board member time just rode the Red Line for the 1st time and noticed the trash piling up along the Airport-TC route since the 1970s, you must have some high expectations from RTA to properly mark the WFL.  The transfer between the light rail lines and the heavy-rail line is awkward, no one knows about the WFL unless one is familiar with the system.  Once the ped bridge is open, downtown visitors will use it, not the WFL, to access the lakefront, Rock Hall etc.  Perhaps from the lakefront to FEB/Flats, since access to this area on foot can be hike for some. What would work is people at the Q, Gateway, 9/12 District jumping on the WFL that runs up and down E 9th

 

RTA has a poorly routed WFL and a poorly marked line to boot.  Visitors to Cleveland would never know there is a rail system.  Perhaps they can catch a glimpse of it in the Flats, WFL and overhead Red Line, but would never why or how to use it. 

Apparently CLEforTransit is anti waterfront line. Interesting/odd.

 

@CLEforTransit: good! Cut the underused waterfront line! Save busses that are lifelines!

 

@CLEforTransit RT: From Richmond Heights @GCRTA hearing: why eliminate only park&ride on E side but keep waterfront line just for Browns? #NoCutsNoHikes

 

@CLEforTransit RT: If Cleveland Browns need the Waterfront Line, why can't they contribute money to fill @GCRTA budget gaps? #BusLinesAreLifeLines

 

Sounds like they're anti-rail, period. Employers and residents along bus routes should pay for access too. So a better solution is two-fold. Assess impact fees on property owners within 1,000 feet of transit routes and raise fares on an annual basis. Everyone who benefits directly from transit access, be it rail or bus, should pay. Furthermore, RTA fares are way too low -- which is reflected in its 20 percent cost recovery ratio. Transit systems need to cover at least 50 percent of their operating costs from fares to sustain the transit system and allow for modest expansion.

Apparently CLEforTransit is anti waterfront line. Interesting/odd.

 

@CLEforTransit: good! Cut the underused waterfront line! Save busses that are lifelines!

 

@CLEforTransit RT: From Richmond Heights @GCRTA hearing: why eliminate only park&ride on E side but keep waterfront line just for Browns? #NoCutsNoHikes

 

@CLEforTransit RT: If Cleveland Browns need the Waterfront Line, why can't they contribute money to fill @GCRTA budget gaps? #BusLinesAreLifeLines

 

 

Who are they?  They don't have many Twitter followers.  New group?  Sounds more about transit as social program than general resource.

 

They seem to love to promote Angie Schmitt.

The group has only been around for a few months and had its first public meeting back in December. The group is not anti-rail, and not everyone in the group is in support of shutting down the Waterfront Line. But the thought is that the ridership on the Waterfront Line is very low and if it were cut, it would not leave its riders stranded without any options, whereas some of the proposed bus cuts would be more detrimental.

 

The group was founded as a collaboration between the Ohio Organizing Collaborate and SEIU Local 1. The main goal is to work to help increase public transit funding at the state level as well as raise awareness about the value of transit to our local leaders. And also, as you've seen recently, the group is working to organize transit riders who would be negatively affected by the service cuts and fare increases so that they can speak out.

 

I think looking at equity issues with transit is important, but I think it is also imperative that the narrative about transit be changed so that it is not viewed as a social welfare program by people in the region. The movement has different voices from different people, and I don't always agree with what others are saying. But if that's the case for you, get involved and make your voice part of the conversation.

 

...Furthermore, RTA fares are way too low -- which is reflected in its 20 percent cost recovery ratio. Transit systems need to cover at least 50 percent of their operating costs from fares to sustain the transit system and allow for modest expansion.

 

Also, KJP, I agree that RTA's farebox recovery rate is too low, but I don't agree that RTA's fares are too low. There are not many cities that have a standard fare that is higher than $2.25, and even more so with RTA's proposed $2.50. We should be looking at ways to increase the share of revenue generated by fares, but I don't think increases fares is the way to do it.

 

I think they are a new group trying to lobby against fare hikes and the proposed bus line cuts. I disagree with KJP that they're anti-rail. Given the choices RTA has laid out, they are anti WFL in an effort to save the bus lines they support. I agree with them. RTA's proposed off-hour WFL cuts see eminently reasonable to me in this context.

 

[TPH2 beat me to it]

The group has only been around for a few months and had its first public meeting back in December. The group is not anti-rail, and not everyone in the group is in support of shutting down the Waterfront Line. But the thought is that the ridership on the Waterfront Line is very low and if it were cut, it would not leave its riders stranded without any options, whereas some of the proposed bus cuts would be more detrimental.

 

The group was founded as a collaboration between the Ohio Organizing Collaborate and SEIU Local 1. The main goal is to work to help increase public transit funding at the state level as well as raise awareness about the value of transit to our local leaders. And also, as you've seen recently, the group is working to organize transit riders who would be negatively affected by the service cuts and fare increases so that they can speak out.

 

I think looking at equity issues with transit is important, but I think it is also imperative that the narrative about transit be changed so that it is not viewed as a social welfare program by people in the region. The movement has different voices from different people, and I don't always agree with what others are saying. But if that's the case for you, get involved and make your voice part of the conversation.

 

...Furthermore, RTA fares are way too low -- which is reflected in its 20 percent cost recovery ratio. Transit systems need to cover at least 50 percent of their operating costs from fares to sustain the transit system and allow for modest expansion.

 

Also, KJP, I agree that RTA's farebox recovery rate is too low, but I don't agree that RTA's fares are too low. There are not many cities that have a standard fare that is higher than $2.25, and even more so with RTA's proposed $2.50. We should be looking at ways to increase the share of revenue generated by fares, but I don't think increases fares is the way to do it.

 

 

I'm definitely empathetic to transit services for the poor, esp the working poor.  Many low-wage individuals/families live in areas where RTA bus service has either been seriously reduced or removed completely -- like the #12 bus along Woodland Av, where residents must now schlep bags long distances to reach bus stops or the Rapid.  I just wish groups like this, as well as local pols (who seem to have group laryngitis when it comes to mass transit) would focus more on lobbying (even shaming) state pols (like John Kasich) who oversee the paltry state funding for rail which is both an embarrassment to Ohio, and dangerous to its transit systems.  I just don't see any good coming out of having a circular firing squad sniping at other's transit services, like the WFL, instead of advocating for increased funding for ALL transit.  On this level, I agree with E Rocc that this is Norman Krumholz-ism at it's worst.

 

As for fares, I also agree: I definitely don't advocate raising them to cover costs.  They are high enough as it is.  Again, I feel we're not aiming at the right target.  We need this stupid State to adequately fund its transit systems and really need to keep the heat on the small town/rural, anti-urban jerks that are responsible for this.  To me, it seems our public officials are not standing up enough for transit and are letting Kasich and his Republican cronies get a free pass on this issue.

 

As KJP and I have noted, ironically, you can bet RTA will be on it's Ps & Qs for the RNC for delegates who otherwise, at best, could give a damn about transit, as worst, are working to cripple it.

I may be in the minority here, but I do think raising Paratransit fees is appropriate. Almost no other agencies charge the same fee for regular fare and Paratransit fare. It's admirable that RTA has been able to keep it this low this long.

 

Also, I know everyone blames Kasich for the funding situation, but it seems like he's the ONLY one people blame. "Strickland" cut funding while he was in office, and "Kasich's" overall transit funding is higher than Strickland's. I use air quotes because the budget has to go thru the legislature to be passed. Kasich proposed increasing state transit funding (even if it was a measly 1 million), but the general assembly axed it.

 

There is blame abound.

We've had our transit system chopped down to a shell of its former self and they keep chopping. The solution to the emaciated body so far has been to amputate more of it so there is less to feed. The problem isn't the emaciated body. The problem is with the lack of nourishment.

I understand the uprising against the Waterfront Line, but it's worth pointing out that its ridership will rise as the waterfront has finally been developed.

I understand the uprising against the Waterfront Line, but it's worth pointing out that its ridership will rise as the waterfront has finally been developed.

 

I think its ridership has already been rising, based on my observations. I wish RTA actually tracked ridership numbers for the line though, because we really have no way of knowing what the exact figures are.

I understand the uprising against the Waterfront Line, but it's worth pointing out that its ridership will rise as the waterfront has finally been developed.

 

I think its ridership has already been rising, based on my observations. I wish RTA actually tracked ridership numbers for the line though, because we really have no way of knowing what the exact figures are.

 

So I wonder how a reporter like Mark Naymik is reporting the 400 riders per day statistic as justification for drastically cutting WFL service.

I understand the uprising against the Waterfront Line, but it's worth pointing out that its ridership will rise as the waterfront has finally been developed.

 

I think its ridership has already been rising, based on my observations. I wish RTA actually tracked ridership numbers for the line though, because we really have no way of knowing what the exact figures are.

 

So I wonder how a reporter like Mark Naymik is reporting the 400 riders per day statistic as justification for drastically cutting WFL service.

 

Naymik cited RTA as his source for the 400 riders, but it didn't go into much detail (typical of most Cleveland.com slideshow stories these days). So, maybe RTA has done a count recently? The last time that I know of them talking about doing a rider count was in 2013.

I understand the uprising against the Waterfront Line, but it's worth pointing out that its ridership will rise as the waterfront has finally been developed.

 

I think its ridership has already been rising, based on my observations. I wish RTA actually tracked ridership numbers for the line though, because we really have no way of knowing what the exact figures are.

 

Right. I mean there is no denying that in the past it has been the "ghost train" that Naymik so badly wants it to be... like back when RTA actually stopped running it. Didn't RTA wait until the EY Tower was finished to start running it regularly?

Handful of people on the waterfront line when I got to enjoy your city last Monday .. and they do need to signify where the platform is s little better, though the ticket taker at TC pointed out where to go.

 

This might be off topic but.... I noticed on the route map posted in the trains had a new line, or one I hadn't noticed before.. I know the Euclid health line is there, but what's the other running to the western areas? Ran parallel to red line but north of it

And whatever train that rolled by us while we waited for the 120 waterfront line run was, had a full load on it.. i figured it was going to waterfront as well, though I'm not too familiar w the other lines

Handful of people on the waterfront line when I got to enjoy your city last Monday .. and they do need to signify where the platform is s little better, though the ticket taker at TC pointed out where to go.

 

This might be off topic but.... I noticed on the route map posted in the trains had a new line, or one I hadn't noticed before.. I know the Euclid health line is there, but what's the other running to the western areas? Ran parallel to red line but north of it

 

The Cleveland State Line on Clifton Blvd.

 

Very nice little street paving job they did there.

Handful of people on the waterfront line when I got to enjoy your city last Monday .. and they do need to signify where the platform is s little better, though the ticket taker at TC pointed out where to go.

 

This might be off topic but.... I noticed on the route map posted in the trains had a new line, or one I hadn't noticed before.. I know the Euclid health line is there, but what's the other running to the western areas? Ran parallel to red line but north of it

 

The Cleveland State Line on Clifton Blvd.

 

Very nice little street paving job they did there.

 

Yeah... don't get me started on that. I can understand putting the HealthLine on the rapid transit system map, but there's no reason the CSU should be on there...especially considering that it doesn't run on Sundays

^Someday I hope RTA extends the ClevelandState line all the way downtown, instead of having it end at Canal Basin: http://www.riderta.com/sites/default/files/pdf/maps/System_Map_Rapid_Connect.pdf

 

Can't get over how poorly designed that map is.

 

^ I could go on for many a paragraph about RTA's maps, but I don't want to beat a dead horse.

 

Relating to transit maps, check out https://twitter.com/theGreaterMarin. They are making a frequency map of RTA's rail system and high frequency bus routes. Looks like it's almost done.

Handful of people on the waterfront line when I got to enjoy your city last Monday .. and they do need to signify where the platform is s little better, though the ticket taker at TC pointed out where to go.

 

This might be off topic but.... I noticed on the route map posted in the trains had a new line, or one I hadn't noticed before.. I know the Euclid health line is there, but what's the other running to the western areas? Ran parallel to red line but north of it

 

The Cleveland State Line on Clifton Blvd.

 

Very nice little street paving job they did there.

 

Handful of people on the waterfront line when I got to enjoy your city last Monday .. and they do need to signify where the platform is s little better, though the ticket taker at TC pointed out where to go.

 

This might be off topic but.... I noticed on the route map posted in the trains had a new line, or one I hadn't noticed before.. I know the Euclid health line is there, but what's the other running to the western areas? Ran parallel to red line but north of it

 

The Cleveland State Line on Clifton Blvd.

 

Very nice little street paving job they did there.

 

Yeah... don't get me started on that. I can understand putting the HealthLine on the rapid transit system map, but there's no reason the CSU should be on there...especially considering that it doesn't run on Sundays

 

Yeah... don't get me started on that. I can understand putting the HealthLine on the rapid transit system map, but there's no reason the CSU should be on there...especially considering that it doesn't run on Sundays

 

And you know, when the E. 55 Street fire closed down the Rapid's entire East Side division a few weeks ago, RTA was using those stretch #55-CSU "Rapid Transit" buses as Blue and Green Line substitutes, which seemed a huge waste as a regular-size bus could easily have handled the passengers; RTA used to use them.  Once the Blue and/or Green Line (s) go down, it seems that most riders balk at the bus substitutes, either finding alternative modes or simply deciding not to travel to Shaker Sq, downtown or wherever, at all.

^ I could go on for many a paragraph about RTA's maps, but I don't want to beat a dead horse.

 

Relating to transit maps, check out https://twitter.com/theGreaterMarin. They are making a frequency map of RTA's rail system and high frequency bus routes. Looks like it's almost done.

 

Yeah, I've been following his/her progress and am really excited to see how it comes out.  I hope RTA is open minded about adopting it (if GreaterMarin is willing to share it).

I attended the public hearing on RTA service cuts and fare increases downtown. I also do not think the Clevelanders for Public Transit is anti-rail.  They have stated no cuts and no increases.  They are also calling for the RTA to be more transparent.  One way they could be more transparent is to let the public know exactly how they are lobbying the state to receive more funding for transit. 

 

I agree with some of the other comments that RTA does not do a good enough job of advertising the waterfront line. There was a lot of PR this last summer about the "new" CSU line on Clifton Blvd.  "New" in parenthesis because the 55 line followed basically the same route. Why can't they do the same for the Waterfront line? It is unfortunate that some people feel they must cut one line to save another.

 

We need a viable transit system.  Has anyone considered raising the sales tax or influencing public officials in the big three C cities to advocate for transit in the state house?  Also, I think RTA has done a poor job of advertising these hearings.

 

We need a viable transit system.  Has anyone considered raising the sales tax or influencing public officials in the big three C cities to advocate for transit in the state house?  Also, I think RTA has done a poor job of advertising these hearings.

 

The sales tax is already maxed out in the county so it can't be raised. The sales tax was sufficient before Cuyahoga County lost hundreds of thousands of residents. As for influencing public officials to advocate for transit, that's part of the reason why Clevelanders for Public Transit came into existence.

Speaking of poorly designed transit maps, the Downtown bus shelter transit maps are a disaster.  The trolley line and CSU line use different shades of green and blue and they get easily confused each other and the blue and green line.  I don't understand why different colors weren't used on the map. 

Nice volunteer clean up along the red line: http://fox8.com/2016/03/26/volunteers-sprucing-up-downtown-cleveland-ahead-of-rnc/

I attended the public hearing on RTA service cuts and fare increases downtown. I also do not think the Clevelanders for Public Transit is anti-rail.  They have stated no cuts and no increases.  They are also calling for the RTA to be more transparent.  One way they could be more transparent is to let the public know exactly how they are lobbying the state to receive more funding for transit. 

 

I agree with some of the other comments that RTA does not do a good enough job of advertising the waterfront line. There was a lot of PR this last summer about the "new" CSU line on Clifton Blvd.  "New" in parenthesis because the 55 line followed basically the same route. Why can't they do the same for the Waterfront line? It is unfortunate that some people feel they must cut one line to save another.

 

We need a viable transit system.  Has anyone considered raising the sales tax or influencing public officials in the big three C cities to advocate for transit in the state house?  Also, I think RTA has done a poor job of advertising these hearings.

 

I agree with you, especially regarding lobbying the State House for adequate transit funding.  RTA officials have stated that RTA could use increased State funding.  But the problem, imho, is that RTA will continue to be muted in it's criticism of the State on this issue because there are Republicans on both sides of the table.

A model for other Ohio cities...

Cincinnati Metro, Uber announce partnership

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/03/29/cincinnati-metro-uber-announce-partnership/82373586/

A model for other Ohio cities...

Cincinnati Metro, Uber announce partnership

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/03/29/cincinnati-metro-uber-announce-partnership/82373586/

 

From what I've heard, RTA is all for teaming up with Uber/Lyft, but it's the city of Cleveland that's standing in the way

"Last Mile" is an important gap to fill. For me, having bike racks at local bus stops would shrink the length of my last mile.

 

I don't see how one would economically use Uber at any frequency for the last mile, with Uber as-is. Your all-day-RTA pass is $5, and an uber minimum fare I'm guessing is $5 each way. In this split, RTA earn $2.50 each way for 10 mile commute (25c/mile), and uber last mile ($5/mile). It would be useful if UberLastMile/Pool or some other cheaper option were available, $1 for the last mile..., otherwise, I'm fine walking 10+10 minutes to save $10. Perhaps RTA monthly pass + Uber monthly last-mile pass = $200. I'd also imagine that your RTA's are going to get almost no compensation from Uber for this. But, if Uber could help as a marketing tool, such as, if you want Metro/RTA to advertise Uber, then encourage Uber to advertise Metro/RTA in-app. 15 minute uber @ $12 or 38 minute uber-bus-uber for $4.50. But, new people considering riding RTA is good. And, Uber's long term business model in some way depends on decreasing personal car ownership / usage, which means more people day-to-day relying on transit. Also, I could see if Uber shared data, or provided data analytics to transit agency, and help them to redesign their network routes. i.e. Lots of people are trying to get from here to here at these hours, make these network changes, and it will be win-win. (Or, Uber is just looking to poach transit riders to become UberPool riders, and to run a fleet of Uber minivans).

 

Also, I'm wondering how cities that have their own shuttle service, or would be considering offering a subsidized/free shuttle service, if they would get better bang for the buck, by having Uber operate their shuttle service? i.e. A fixed route, low ridership University Circle shuttle, or Cleveland Clinic shuttle, could morph into UberShuttle, in which a larger vehicle which services institutions (or community) and nearest Rapid station. i.e. your $30k annual shuttle costs might be better bang-for-buck to be University Circle Ubers...

 

Also, I'd be interested to see if RTA had a breakdown on ridership by route by hour. And perhaps you might see that priority networks, (frequent service / rapids) would be the most used / with higher fairbox recovery rate. And then other routes, that are in many ways feeder routes would have lower fairbox recovery. So.. Uber-ization of last-mile would mean for RTA to drop coverage that provides last-mile feeding of priority routes, and instead RTA could focus on building frequent / rapid services. Good idea / terrible idea, I'm not sure. But, it could accidentally be a way of dismantling your regional transit. Or, provide corridors of growth/investment along rapids...

 

Helsinki Finland a few years ago proposed building some integrated system between transit, intercity, and last mile. So, that you could encourage everyone to replace personal vehicle trips with a bit of transit. One-app-to-rule-them-all. At the point they announced it, Uber didn't have the presence it does today. But.. Linked trips.. Could you see your app given you a transfer-discount to go from Uber-network to RTA-network, and vice-versa?

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/jul/10/helsinki-shared-public-transport-plan-car-ownership-pointless

A model for other Ohio cities...

Cincinnati Metro, Uber announce partnership

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/03/29/cincinnati-metro-uber-announce-partnership/82373586/

 

From what I've heard, RTA is all for teaming up with Uber/Lyft, but it's the city of Cleveland that's standing in the way

 

Taxi businesses are influencing city officials to block it. Adapt or die, taxi companies!

A model for other Ohio cities...

Cincinnati Metro, Uber announce partnership

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/03/29/cincinnati-metro-uber-announce-partnership/82373586/

 

From what I've heard, RTA is all for teaming up with Uber/Lyft, but it's the city of Cleveland that's standing in the way

 

Taxi businesses are influencing city officials to block it. Adapt or die, taxi companies!

 

Yeah, I was surprised when I heard that. I didn't think Cleveland had a powerful "taxi lobby"

^I absolutely do not understand why taxi companies aren't either creating their own uber like software (taxi position and online payment tool) or partnering with Uber or Lyft.  At they very least they could develop a very simple app or map add on that tells the user the position of all available taxis.  Personally, I don't use Uber because it's cheaper.  I use it because it's reliable and I know with some degree of certainty when my driver will arrive.  It's a huge time saver because I no longer need to waste my time waiting 20+ minutes for a taxi.

 

In the digital age taxi companies will absolutely die if they do not develop software.  Most people under 30 wouldn't even think about calling for a taxi.  If it's not available online it might as well not even exist.

One of the terms I learned in my marketing and business classes in college was "marketing myopia." Sometime a company becomes preoccupied with its own product rather than customers' needs. This is especially true when they have invested a lot of money into that product. Other companies became complacent and/or adopted a bunker mentality. They would rather die than adapt. Many young business grads don't take political science classes to appreciate to what extent an entrenched interest will go to in using/hiring/bribing government to try to prevent the new competitive product from entering the market. In this era of unlimited campaign contributions, innovation and competition faces its greatest threat.

^I absolutely do not understand why taxi companies aren't either creating their own uber like software (taxi position and online payment tool) or partnering with Uber or Lyft.  At they very least they could develop a very simple app or map add on that tells the user the position of all available taxis.  Personally, I don't use Uber because it's cheaper.  I use it because it's reliable and I know with some degree of certainty when my driver will arrive.  It's a huge time saver because I no longer need to waste my time waiting 20+ minutes for a taxi.

 

In the digital age taxi companies will absolutely die if they do not develop software.  Most people under 30 wouldn't even think about calling for a taxi.  If it's not available online it might as well not even exist.

 

The mindset of the taxi companies is to use influence on local government to protect their desired business model and limit competition.  Their objective is a captive audience.

 

O'Hare used to be notorious for their strangle hold on cabs into the city.  There were cases where drivers (and allegedly even passengers) were jailed for using cabs or limos that were supposed to be "suburban" to get to city destinations.