On a westbound Red Line train that derailed outside Tower City about 30 minutes ago...no injuries, we were going real slow.  Waiting to be offloaded.

Wow, that must have been exciting. Are they still running it on the temporary tracks?

On a westbound Red Line train that derailed outside Tower City about 30 minutes ago...no injuries, we were going real slow.  Waiting to be offloaded.

 

This didn't make the news at all as far as I can tell.  Neither did a pretty massive fire I drove by in Euclid last night about the same time.

 

Sleeping media?

^Derailed Red Line train not making the news!?  Is this RTA's fault or the local media's... Glad lakewood and nobody else was hurt, but ho-boy, I'll bet the injury/pain 'n suffering claims are going to hit RTA.

On a westbound Red Line train that derailed outside Tower City about 30 minutes ago...no injuries, we were going real slow.  Waiting to be offloaded.

 

This didn't make the news at all as far as I can tell.  Neither did a pretty massive fire I drove by in Euclid last night about the same time.

 

Sleeping media?

 

TV stations usually love fires

Wow, that must have been exciting. Are they still running it on the temporary tracks?

 

Yes. They will be using the temporary track until about Thanksgiving.

^Derailed Red Line train not making the news!?  Is this RTA's fault or the local media's... Glad lakewood and nobody else was hurt, but ho-boy, I'll bet the injury/pain 'n suffering claims are going to hit RTA.

 

I did get two two-ride fare cards for my trouble, but they expire 8/31, and I'm pretty broke 'til then, so I don't know if I'll have a chance to use them, as I don't use RTA to commute to my job in Elyria.

I did get two two-ride fare cards for my trouble, but they expire 8/31

 

LOL, that's so RTA.

^I'm sure.  It's not their fault, only the public suffers (not train drivers and, certainly, not management) and I'm sure the union wouldn't allow otherwise. 

 

As usual, RTA's reason for this latest inconvenience is not entirely clear.  On the Red Line, it says work on bridges over E. 79 Street and MLK Blvd.  We know the E. 79th bridge is being rebuilt... Why it would take 2 entire weekends and a day cutting off East Side service completely, is beyond me.  But what work are they talking about at MLK?  And why do these massive shutdowns just seem to come out of the blue?  For the size system Cleveland has, it is the shut-downiest rail system I've seen.  Why is this?

 

Having just passed through there last night, I can tell you that the MLK project involves the total replacement of the westbound track bed bridge well, a large price of (I believe) precast concrete over MLK, just west of the Cedar - University Rapid Station. There's no way that construction could have been accomplished without removal of the overlying track structure. It's similar in scope to what's happening in Tower City on Track 8, albeit on a MUCH smaller scale.

^Wow, I never realized the situation was that bad at MLK.  I think, Jetdog, if RTA gave this level of detail people may be more understanding of the shutdowns.  Oftentimes the reasoning is more vague.  Thanks for the info, though.

^Wow, I never realized the situation was that bad at MLK.  I think, Jetdog, if RTA gave this level of detail people may be more understanding of the shutdowns.  Oftentimes the reasoning is more vague.  Thanks for the info, though.

 

Been saying that for a while now, but such suggestions received a cold reception from higher ups...

Signage has improved dramatically.

 

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^ Define "Temporarily"

The Firing of Two Mid-level African-Americans at RTA, and a Longtime Cultural Chasm in the Organization's Operations

By Sam Allard

 

For the general public, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is merely a brand name on the buses and trains that make up the system. And so if the buses and trains are safe and on time, what else matters? Why question the brand? But RTA has been in the news a lot lately: First, the decision by the board of trustees, enacted earlier this month, to raise fares and cut a small number of routes in order to plug a $7 million budget hole; later, the forbidding news about changes to Ohio's tax laws, which will result in even deeper financial holes and deeper service cuts in 2017 and 2018; finally, the decision by Mayor Frank Jackson to gather traffic data downtown in order to determine if the new $50 million Public Square, designed specifically with RTA buses in mind, might be better off without them.

 

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/the-firing-of-two-mid-level-african-americans-at-rta-and-a-longtime-cultural-chasm-in-the-organizations-operations/Content?oid=4954551

e.g. The Cleveland Scene is trying to make this into a biased and racist firing, but it the RTA correcting ship by removing inefficient employees and trying to reduce costs as much as possible before major cuts are imposed.

 

I, sadly, did read the article. Just like I outlined in a now-removed post in the Opportunity Corridor Blvd. thread, nepotism runs rampant at RTA, and two employees who showed no skills or qualifications towards their positions were removed. Outside of that, the article is almost all fluff and could have been condensed into three paragraphs.

e.g. The Cleveland Scene is trying to make this into a biased and racist firing, but it the RTA correcting ship by removing inefficient employees and trying to reduce costs as much as possible before major cuts are imposed.

 

I, sadly, did read the article. Just like I outlined in a now-removed post in the Opportunity Corridor Blvd. thread, nepotism runs rampant at RTA, and two employees who showed no skills or qualifications towards their positions were removed. Outside of that, the article is almost all fluff and could have been condensed into three paragraphs.

 

Almost a Naymik level of taking sides without doing so overtly.

Was on RTA quite a bit this Labor Day weekend.  Some observations:

 

THE GOOD

- Downtown Trolleys were nice; fun.

 

- Red Line to Ohio City, from TC was fine.

 

THE BAD

- Blue and Green Line cars were all filthy.  Trash + sticky, liquid gunk on the floors.  We caught one of the earlier trains on Saturday, so obviously the car hadn't been even lightly serviced the night before.

 

- The well-built, very attractive Lee-Van Aken station is looking a bit run down just less than 1-year of operation.  The Exit sign over the westbound platform was broken, hanging by its wire.  Weeds next to the platforms and up the stairs haven't been trimmed at all and are encroaching into the passenger areas.

 

- The new Blue/Green/Waterfront schedules with the much-discussed service cuts are unavailable.  The schedules at Tower City are all dated "April 10th."  When I asked RTA/TC personnel, nobody knew about the schedules or the service cuts.  They recommended we call RTA for further information.

 

- The elevator at the temporary westbound Tower City station is STILL OUT.  It has been out for practically the entire time the temp station has been in operation, which is simply ridiculous.  How can RTA spent all this time arranging for the temporary station during track rebuilding with only 1 elevator and it obviously hasn't  been properly service.  This is especially true given the higher-than-normal climb from track level to the Public Square level this station requires.  Yeah, it was good exercise, but we both were somewhat sweaty from the experience.  I can only imagine the problems caused to the elderly and ambulatory challenged.... inexcusable.

 

I had an out-of-town guest who, while complimentary of the concept of our rail service, was appalled by the filthy cars... I don't buy the "RTA is too poor" argument to keep its rail services in this bad of shape.  Maintaining crappy, dirty cars and decaying stations is a choice not a necessity.  This situation didn't just suddenly materialize during the latest funding crisis.  Rapid transit maintenance under Calabrese was crappy even when RTA was boasting a slight surplus a few years ago (the Shaker ROW, esp west of Shaker Sq. is overgrown with a lot of trash, esp just west of the MLK bridge... this hasn't changed and is unacceptable).

The elevator may become an ADA issue with the elevator essentially out of service the entire duration of the project. It's unacceptable that their engineers did not anticipate the elevator not being used much, considering that the staircases are long and touch for anyone over the age of 60, with disability, and/or other issue. RTA claims the parts are hard to find but it's a standard elevator that's used in hundreds of buildings nationwide with parts warehoused on the fly.

 

I've filed a complaint with the DOJ via this form.

It's pretty crazy that people in wheelchairs or with strollers can't get on or off at the main transit stop downtown (westbound) for 3 months thanks to the seemingly permanently out of service elevator.

 

As I had said...not surprised it continues to go out of service on a regular basis.

It's pretty crazy that people in wheelchairs or with strollers can't get on or off at the main transit stop downtown (westbound) for 3 months thanks to the seemingly permanently out of service elevator.

 

As I had said...not surprised it continues to go out of service on a regular basis.

 

Your words can't be emphasized enough: this is the MAIN station of RTA, as in the hub station and the busiest, by far, and this situation has been allowed to happen... and continue.

I had an out-of-town guest who, while complimentary of the concept of our rail service, was appalled by the filthy cars... I don't buy the "RTA is too poor" argument to keep its rail services in this bad of shape.  Maintaining crappy, dirty cars and decaying stations is a choice not a necessity.  This situation didn't just suddenly materialize during the latest funding crisis.  Rapid transit maintenance under Calabrese was crappy even when RTA was boasting a slight surplus a few years ago (the Shaker ROW, esp west of Shaker Sq. is overgrown with a lot of trash, esp just west of the MLK bridge... this hasn't changed and is unacceptable).

 

I think this goes further than budget cuts with RTA.  The entire organization is filled with nepotism and cronyism--plenty of people sitting downtown and turning their heads if something is "not their job."  I think we've all interacted with bus or train operators that couldn't be bothered to have one ounce of customer service skills, mainly because they don't have to.  They have no fear of reprisal or repercussions for complaints. 

 

I'm sad to admit this, but I've traveled the world and ridden subways and buses in some poor countries (Bulgaria, Mexico, Manilla and Brazil come to mind).  They are far cleaner in most cases and the employees are much friendlier.  While I do support transit funding, I think some cultural upheavals need to be imposed on RTA as well.

 

 

 

 

The elevator may become an ADA issue with the elevator essentially out of service the entire duration of the project.

 

I've filed a complaint with the DOJ via this form.

 

Last week I saw some old guy with a walker who looked stranded on one of the landings. Not good.

RTA reported on social media at about this time yesterday that the elevator was repaired.

The elevator may become an ADA issue with the elevator essentially out of service the entire duration of the project. It's unacceptable that their engineers did not anticipate the elevator not being used much, considering that the staircases are long and touch for anyone over the age of 60, with disability, and/or other issue. RTA claims the parts are hard to find but it's a standard elevator that's used in hundreds of buildings nationwide with parts warehoused on the fly.

 

I've filed a complaint with the DOJ via this form.

 

 

That was my thought too, after wondering how much the elevator even gets used.

 

Although when I used to spend too much time at medical facilities I was tempted to go ADA on them for hiding the stairs.  Autistic people in particular often have issues with elevators and if claustrophobia is considered an illness.....

While I don't have a disability, I had a leg injury that left me hobbling and on a crutch. It was a serious PAIN to walk down. I love how the elevator is fixed for the... third time? Let's see how long this lasts.

RTA reported on social media at about this time yesterday that the elevator was repaired.

 

So it's probably broken again by now.

While I don't have a disability, I had a leg injury that left me hobbling and on a crutch. It was a serious PAIN to walk down. I love how the elevator is fixed for the... third time? Let's see how long this lasts.

 

Yeah, we'll see... I also am not disabled but had a pulled muscle in my calf which made climbing those stairs a trial.  I busy, 12-story office building with 6 elevators shuttling workers all day and into the evening.  I can count may 1 or 2 times a year that even one of these elevators are down (and when they're down, it's for 1/2 day at most)... Something is really weird how RTA could have such issues with just 1 elevator at it's major transit hub where planning for this temp station contingency should have been well planned for months, or even a year, ahead of time.

RTA reported on social media at about this time yesterday that the elevator was repaired.

 

So it's probably broken again by now.

 

Or peed in, though I don't know if that is considered an ADA issue or not.

While I don't have a disability, I had a leg injury that left me hobbling and on a crutch. It was a serious PAIN to walk down. I love how the elevator is fixed for the... third time? Let's see how long this lasts.

 

Yeah, we'll see... I also am not disabled but had a pulled muscle in my calf which made climbing those stairs a trial.  I busy, 12-story office building with 6 elevators shuttling workers all day and into the evening.  I can count may 1 or 2 times a year that even one of these elevators are down (and when they're down, it's for 1/2 day at most)... Something is really weird how RTA could have such issues with just 1 elevator at it's major transit hub where planning for this temp station contingency should have been well planned for months, or even a year, ahead of time.

I had a remarkably similar incident happen to me a few days ago. I was getting off the blue line at Tower City and had a leg injury that I wasn't aware of until I stepped off the train (had I known I had the injury I would have taken a bus). I then had to climb up the stairs, which was quite an ordeal.

 

Also, as a general question, I'm new to Cleveland and am a major railroad enthusiast. Does anyone have any suggestions for the best places to photograph on the RTA? I already have pictures of most of the Red Line between Tower City and Little Italy, but not many pictures of the rest of the system.

Welcome to Cleveland and UrbanOhio, jvvg! One of the best places to photograph RTA trains is the Detroit-Superior bridge (of Red Line trains with the Terminal Tower above) or the Nautica complex (of the Waterfront Line and downtown across the river). I also like photographing around Little Italy, Shaker Square and along Shaker Boulevard.

RTA reported on social media at about this time yesterday that the elevator was repaired.

 

So it's probably broken again by now.

 

Or peed in, though I don't know if that is considered an ADA issue or not.

 

Damn, are they peeing in the TC elevator too!?  I thought that was reserved for places like Ohio City where, maybe it's time to either install a bathroom or place a port-a-potty nearby... Well then, maybe either a TV camera or stationed RTA cop would curb this nasty practice... Oops, bad idea since RTA would have to come out-of-pocket for any of this.  So I guess RTA's minimalist solution -- the dual use bathroom/elevator -- will continue well into the future.

Welcome to Cleveland and UrbanOhio, jvvg! One of the best places to photograph RTA trains is the Detroit-Superior bridge (of Red Line trains with the Terminal Tower above) or the Nautica complex (of the Waterfront Line and downtown across the river). I also like photographing around Little Italy, Shaker Square and along Shaker Boulevard.

Thanks! I'm a student at CWRU, so getting pictures of Little Italy will be very easy for me. I actually did get some pictures of the viaduct leading into Tower City, but I took them from outside the justice center, so I was looking out. Next time I'm downtown I'll definitely make sure to get some from the D-S bridge and the Nautica complex.

Welcome to Cleveland and to CWRU (my employer). I always found the Cedar Avenue station great to photograph RTA trains leaving/coming down the straightaway.

Today an RTA driver decided I wasn't worth stopping for.

I was taking pictures on the Waterfront Line, getting off at South Harbor and walking to North Coast then West Third. I was going to catch a train back to Tower City at West Third to return home, and I just missed a train as I was arriving at the station. I waited 15 minutes for the next one, and I saw it leave North Coast, so I stepped onto the platform and got out my camera to take a picture of the train. As the train was slowing down, I took a picture, but then the train sped up and didn't stop at the station, despite the fact that I was in clear view of the operator. I guess he decided that since I was taking a picture of the train, I didn't want to ride it...?

 

Fortunately my picture included the car number, so I was able to report the incident to the RTA.

^Yeah, I've had this happen, too. In fact it was during the Flats open house around Memorial Day. In the evening while heading back to TC and east to Shaker, a driver of that blue-wrapped AT&T LRT train zipped right past me and 2 other people at the FEB station when it was raining. We all looked at each other with WTF shrugs.. I didn't even bother to report it though I know I should have. I don't know about the otheres, though.

 

RTA seems to do everything to make the WFL service unattractive so people will have reason not to like or use it and the Mark Naymik's of the world will trash it and Calabrese can cut it... I despise the way RTA is running its operations.

Today an RTA driver decided I wasn't worth stopping for.

I was taking pictures on the Waterfront Line, getting off at South Harbor and walking to North Coast then West Third. I was going to catch a train back to Tower City at West Third to return home, and I just missed a train as I was arriving at the station. I waited 15 minutes for the next one, and I saw it leave North Coast, so I stepped onto the platform and got out my camera to take a picture of the train. As the train was slowing down, I took a picture, but then the train sped up and didn't stop at the station, despite the fact that I was in clear view of the operator. I guess he decided that since I was taking a picture of the train, I didn't want to ride it...?

 

Fortunately my picture included the car number, so I was able to report the incident to the RTA.

 

Not to defend RTA, but they aren't used to picking up Waterfront Line passengers.

Or maintaining their stations. Or operating RTA as a lean and efficient operation. Or having functioning elevators...

I don't know about all that, but the RTA people at Tower City have for years been ornery and unpleasant. I remember last year I got yelled at for not knowing the trains were not running and that I should take a shuttle outside. Hell of a way to start your day.

From an RTA tweet... Some PM trips from Green Rd are Waterfront trains & many weekend trips. https://t.co/8qkB7tL6dn

Does Joe Calabrese do anything other than plan for cuts?  I haven't seen him out front of:

 

- trying to maintain buses, trains and facilities. (even assuring that the 1 stinkin' elevator is working for the alternate TC station during track reconstruction thus putting the agency in an ADA violation status)

 

- trying to secure funding to offset the steep Medicaid-related cuts next year, including brainstorming and lobbying for alternative tax/funding schemes

 

- seeking TOD development for rail stations

 

- Coming up with a comprehensive rail expansion plan for the future

 

But from reports I've read, he's already mapped out what cuts he will implement next year should no more funding materialize.

 

What a great transit GM Joe C is...

To be fair, Joe Calabrese is out there educating state lawmakers and Cleveland's business community about the benefits of more state funding. They're sympathetic but that's about all. He's not allowed to lobby, however. The state's transit industry organization, the Ohio Public Transportation Association, is allowed to lobby and they've just undergone a major shakeup, as they are now looking for a new executive director and a new lobbyist. I also hope OPTA activates more of its transit industry suppliers because GOP lawmakers are more likely to listen to them rather than the transit agencies who are considered by GOPers as bastions of unions thugs and big government. All Aboard Ohio has also jumped into the transit funding fray. It's not a good time for OPTA restructuring however. This is when ODOT's budget is being set for presentation to the legislature in February. 

In the past, Joe has spoken out about State funding issues before it was a crisis, notably surrounding the rising costs of diesel fuel and, believe it or not, I applauded him for it here... Even though he can't lobby, per se, as the chief of the biggest and baddest transit agency in Ohio (and one of the top ones in the Midwest and even America on some levels), I believe he can make his presence felt more than he is now, especially at this time of crisis onn funding, railcars, infrastructure issues etc..

 

I specifically don't like the way he's handling the rail issue on a number of levels.  I thought his reaction to All Aboard Ohio (AAO) and others about the Blue/Green car deterioration was petty and absurd; as if AAO was Chicken Little or something.

 

The out-of-service elevator in the Tower City temporary station is ridiculous and perhaps an ADA violation.

 

I think there's a lack of trust between RTA management and the public over these constant rail shutdowns and a lack of transparency as to why they're happening is a major problem.

 

Dirty buses, trains and rail ROWs is an issue too.

 

These are just some of the problems I see with Joe C's administration... Believe me, there are more.

Well you know this is going to get very confusing....

 

 

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This isn't going to be an easy transition for people, not with the single biggest park-n-ride lot on the east side located at Green Road. That's where people are going to park for Indians games....

A bummer the reduced Green Line hours couldn't go into effect till after the Tribe's playoff run. Hopefully word gets outs and fans know to park at Blue Line stations.

Then there's Cavs season....

Could they not do late-night service just on game-nights?

A bummer the reduced Green Line hours couldn't go into effect till after the Tribe's playoff run. Hopefully word gets outs and fans know to park at Blue Line stations.

 

I'm sure there will be great signage in place at Green Line stations to let riders know. Oh, wait, no there won't.

I'm sure there will be great signage in place at Green Line stations to let riders know.

 

It will be great signage.  The best signage you've ever seen, believe me.  And nobody does signage better than RTA.  And Mexico will pay for the signage.

BTW, with Breda cars cycling through Central Rail for routine repairs and age-related patches (including having to make parts in-house because suppliers don't make parts that old anymore), there are only 12 LRVs available for service as of last Friday according to Central Rail staff. In 2015, GCRTA said they have 34 in service (SOURCE http://www.riderta.com/overview). How many does GCRTA need?

 

The 48 active Breda Light Rail vehicles, acquired between 1981 and 1983, run on the Blue, Green, and Waterfront Lines. Vehicle requirements for peak rush hour service are 13 cars, and 28 cars for peak special event services.

http://www.riderta.com/sites/default/files/pdf/budget/2013/6-CapitalImprovementPlan.pdf

 

So it doesn't really matter if the Green Line runs past 9 pm to serve Indians games. GCRTA doesn't have enough usable light-rail cars left to serve large crowds like they used to.

I'm sure there will be great signage in place at Green Line stations to let riders know.

 

It will be great signage.  The best signage you've ever seen, believe me.  And nobody does signage better than RTA.  And Mexico will pay for the signage.

 

 

RTA must have paid a lot of money to manufacture all the temporary location signs (large metal signs attached to tall posts buried in the ground) and post them (in many cases, more than one, ie both sides of the streets on Van Aken and Shaker Blvds) and, yet, they now claim poor and have to raise fares and cut services.  Where was RTA's transparency in terms of the expense and decision to build and place these temporary signs?  Why the expensive signs?  Most transit systems I've seen simply staple up temporary signs around telephone pole, etc., made from cheap card stock white paper purchased from Staples printed on an inexpensive color HP printer.  Once normal service is restored, these simple signs are easily pulled down, thrown away or recycled...  Sure would save a lot of cash, which RTA is in short supply of.  Just another in the long annals of RTA foolish moves.