Not in Philly, and it's much older than RTA.

Yeah, because they haven't had any money to fix anything. Have you seen SEPTA's backlog of major repair projects? Now that they have money, you're going to be doing the shuttle bus slalom for years!

I find it ironic how RTA spent a considerable amount of money to to put up replacement bus signs along the rail stops, but they CAN'T EVEN USE A FREAKING PRINTER TO PRINT SIGNS AT THEIR STATIONS! This is the only sign in the entirety of Tower City that I saw that indicates the east side rail is shut down this weekend.

 

...and you didn't answer my question about ODOT (attack first, right?). Wasn't the Inner Belt supposed to be finished and are you cool with RTA's high number of shutdowns?  I'm curious.

 

"Open to Traffic" and "finished" are two very different things. ODOT considers Open to Traffic = public completion date because John Q. Public would never know the difference anyway. That doesn't mean there aren't work items that still need to be completed.

Glad to see RTA's response to TPH2[/member]'s photos posted on Twitter. Nice job!

 

And yes, many ramps and lanes on either side of the new bridge aren't yet open.

And I encourage you to follow other transit systems on Twitter, especially those with older rail systems. Virtually every one of them has rail line or station closure or reduced service on most weekends.

 

C'mon KLJP, don't sugarcoat this.  No system closes over half of the entire system for entire weekends like RTA does.  Especially with how frequently RTA does it (and with little warning).  No system has no provision for disabled riders or riders with strollers, etc., for 3 months at their busiest station.  RTA seems to be intentionally sabotaging their rail system.

 

And those "temporary" bus replacement signs at the rapid stops?  I bet they spent so much on those because those will be the norm soon.  Maybe they're planning for the future after they don't have enough rail cars?

Yep, there's serious deficiencies with RTA and its handling of the rail system. But when a major rail system like Toronto or Chicago or New York shuts down a rail line, it affects something like 1/20th of the system. When Cleveland does, it affects 1/4th or even 1/2 of its rail system -- especially when the closure occurs on the shared red/blue/green trunk line of the system between Tower City and East 55th.

On that, I would agree with you...and Philly's SEPTA isn't without it's colossal screw-ups, like buying the Hyundai-Rotem Regional Rail fleet to replace half the old Pensy cars, only to find those 6-year-old cars with fatigue cracks in their wheel systems due to improper welding forcing the cars' shutdown -- half the fleet; causing drastically reduced schedules...

along with serious havoc and P.O.'d passengers...

Clearly such incompetency afflicts many transit systems.

And I encourage you to follow other transit systems on Twitter, especially those with older rail systems. Virtually every one of them has rail line or station closure or reduced service on most weekends.

 

C'mon KLJP, don't sugarcoat this.  No system closes over half of the entire system for entire weekends like RTA does.  Especially with how frequently RTA does it (and with little warning).  No system has no provision for disabled riders or riders with strollers, etc., for 3 months at their busiest station.  RTA seems to be intentionally sabotaging their rail system.

 

And those "temporary" bus replacement signs at the rapid stops?  I bet they spent so much on those because those will be the norm soon.  Maybe they're planning for the future after they don't have enough rail cars?

 

This!

And I encourage you to follow other transit systems on Twitter, especially those with older rail systems. Virtually every one of them has rail line or station closure or reduced service on most weekends.

 

C'mon KLJP, don't sugarcoat this.  No system closes over half of the entire system for entire weekends like RTA does.  Especially with how frequently RTA does it (and with little warning).  No system has no provision for disabled riders or riders with strollers, etc., for 3 months at their busiest station.  RTA seems to be intentionally sabotaging their rail system.

 

And those "temporary" bus replacement signs at the rapid stops?  I bet they spent so much on those because those will be the norm soon.  Maybe they're planning for the future after they don't have enough rail cars?

 

Y'know Jeff, this weekend I think it's more like 2/3rds of the Rail system being shut down and, honestly, it seems as though at least this much, or major chunks of the rail system, are closed nearly every weekend  -- with the rails being closed more weekends than they're not.  And, yes, I disagree with KJP and the idea that these large shutdowns being caused, often, by non-rail building like ODOT's being a normal occurrence with other transit systems.  It isn't.  And I just feel RTA and/or the powers that be are just too willing to constantly allow this to happen; this work could be done nights to try and preserve service.  And as I've seen in the past -- not necesarily with these latest closures, RTA has closed rail service for maintenance work and I've barely noticed any work being done at or during when it was supposed to be.  Certainly I have witnessed considerable peirods of inactivity in construction when the rails are closed because of it.

 

Sadly these shutdowns are clearly driving people away from the rails at exactly the time when downtown and in-City neighborhoods served by rail (ie: Ohio City, Univ Circle/Little Italy and even Shaker Square) are flourishing.  And of course, just in time for the expanded Flats, the Indians postseason and the Cavs returning with their gaga crazy fan-base, along comes RTA to implement their deep service cuts, esp impacting rail... This should NOT be happening. Riders, present company included, are now planning downtown weekends around NOT using the Rapid.  I've actually heard and read people saying this. 

 

Unfortunately I don't think our rail advocates aren't speaking up enough and in some cases, are acting more as apologists for RTA than asking serious questions about what are obvious shortcomings to the unbiased.  With RTA, just like the Opportunity Corridor, it is people like Angie Schmidt and others who are asking important questions who attacked (by UOers and others) as whiners or whatever while our leaders getting to do what they want without question, even when what they are doing does not appear to be in the public interest...

Everyone always feels they have it worse and the grass is always greener somewhere else. I follow transit news everywhere. Shutdowns are common. Chicago, for example, shuts down entire rail lines for months or years at a time. Washington DC shut down the entire rail system for a day and has done spot shutdowns to look for electrical problems, including the 14-day SafeTrack shutdown. Eventually, entire rail lines will be shut down for months at a time. Toronto has one or more rail line shutdowns almost every weekend. New York will shut down the Manhattan-Brooklyn subway for 1.5 years. MTA will also close 30 stations for major repairs for months at a time. Boston frequently has service outages and disruptions for major repairs, including bridge (North Shore line will be closed for 3 weeks in 2017 for a bridge replacement), electrical and station projects. Every weekend in October has a Boston rail line replaced with buses for repairs. Perhaps this Web advisory will look familiar? http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/

...and you didn't answer my question about ODOT (attack first, right?). Wasn't the Inner Belt supposed to be finished and are you cool with RTA's high number of shutdowns?  I'm curious.

 

Attack?  He asked a simple question and you take it as an attack.  Perhaps your constant and increasingly unhinged posting about RTA has made you a bit sensitive?

...and you didn't answer my question about ODOT (attack first, right?). Wasn't the Inner Belt supposed to be finished and are you cool with RTA's high number of shutdowns?  I'm curious.

 

 

 

Attack?  He asked a simple question and you take it as an attack.  Perhaps your constant and increasingly unhinged posting about RTA has made you a bit sensitive?

 

Troll much?

[RTA does the right thing]

 

RTA to run trains later during Indians playoffs

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/10/rta_to_run_trains_later_during.html

NOACA is working on their Long Range Plan and has created a 'crowdgauge' tool to learn the priorities/interests of the public as it develops its plan. If you want to give input, its at: http://noaca.crowdgauge.org/.

Observations and questions:

 

The Waterfront Line train from Flats East Bank at rush hour the other day was 1/2 to 3/4 full; there was a significant group (apparntly from E&Y waiting): astounding from my vantage point.  A few going the other way got off and headed to FEB restaurants...  Has this been normal or anomaly?  Are more people using WFL trains, at least during rush hour?

 

Overall it seemed riding is up: way up on the Red Line West. Is this true?

 

Also my friends who attended the Browns game a couple weeks ago complained of 1-car Blue/Green trains.  Based on this and what I saw during the Cavs parade (RTA) debacle, have  multi-car LRTs gone the way of the dodo?

Haven't seen the Waterfront Line lately to comment, but the answer to your last question is yes, at least until the Bredas are replaced.

Haven't seen the Waterfront Line lately to comment, but the answer to your last question is yes, at least until the Bredas are replaced.

 

This is inexcusable.  It should have never reached this point.  RTA didn't suddenly wake up and realize: 'These are 35-year-old, non-stainless steel cars... OMG, what should we do!?' ... then again, maybe they did.

^non stainless steel car bodies rolling along in the Cleveland climate to boot!

New drinking game... Next time you are on a bridge over the blue or green lines, try to count the number of patches in the roof of the passing train before it's out of sight. If you can't count the patches fast enough, take a drink.

Can't RTA lease or buy surplus LRT's from another transit system as a stopgap until new ones are bought? 

 

I maintain that RTA's allowing this car disrepair situation to get to the point where its LRT division can barely function, and may have to ultimately shutdown, is the height of poor planning and, no, Ohio's minuscule funding is not an excuse.  More people are riding/want to ride the rails and RTA is faltering... In any normal situation, RTA should be called on the carpet just as D.C.'s WMATA (Metro) officials are for the poor physical condition of their rail system.  Yet, here in Cleveland, all people say is Joe Calabrese is doing 'the best he can.'  ... ridiculous!

I'm not aware of any transit agency that has surplus LRVs. Given the state of federal transportation funding, every agency is pretty much running their own fleets until they can't run anymore.

I'm not aware of any transit agency that has surplus LRVs. Given the state of federal transportation funding, every agency is pretty much running their own fleets until they can't run anymore.

 

Oh well; sad reality... I was thinking of Philadelphia's SEPTA which leased (and is still leasing some) surplus engines and rail cars to cover its Regional Rail division when its 6-year old Hyundai Rotem cars (half its fleet) had to be sidelined and repaired this past summer.  Maybe its different for railroad-level cars as opposed to LRTs. 

Great news for the E116 station (in the Buckeye development thread). Is this the same plan that's being built?

 

 

 

As much as there is to complain about RTA, their track maintenance and rebuilding program - as low as it has been funded (not in part because of the RTA) is commendable. Rehab and painting is still continuing on their crossing over MLK by CWRU.

Maybe its different for railroad-level cars as opposed to LRTs. 

 

Yes, is it.

 

Great news for the E116 station (in the Buckeye development thread). Is this the same plan that's being built?

 

It appears that way, except for what appears to be two elevator shafts for each platform. There will be no elevators in the new East 116th station, only ramps and stairs.

^^I don't think that's the plan being built, unfortunately. Unless something has chanced recently, pretty sure we're getting what's shown on the RTA website (i.e., no elevators; direct stairs only to the westbound platform): http://www.riderta.com/majorprojects/e116

 

[KJP beat me to it]

 

EDIT: I definitely agree with you, Sherman, about track maintenance. RTA still plows a ton of resources into the rail system, even if it's not in the form of expansion and new vehicles. There's no sign they plan to abandon rail anytime soon.

Cuyahoga County putting a renewed focus on public transit

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cuyahoga County Council is upping its efforts to include public transit in the local conversation about funding and transportation.

 

County Council is considering creating a subcommittee on public transit to explore "possible sources for countywide and regional funding for public transportation," said Joseph Nanni, County Council's Chief of Staff.

 

"Council President [Dan] Brady and other members are very concerned about past and potential future cuts to public transit," Nanni said.

 

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority this year already had to raise fares and cut service 3 percent and faces even deeper cuts in 2018 when it will lose funding from the sales and use tax on Medicaid managed care organizations. At that point, RTA could have to cut service up to 10 percent and lay off 150 people, RTA CEO Joe Calabrese has estimated.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/10/cuyahoga_county_putting_a_renewed_focus.html#incart_river_home

I think it's great that County Council has taken an interest in RTA and formed the subcommittee to make it a priority.  Public transit in Cleveland, and indeed the State, has long needed a champion...

 

...as for station maintenance, it still needs significant improvement by RTA. On a Red Line trip to Uptown/UC a few months ago, we couldn't help notice that the E.105-Quincy stairs are almost completely rusted out at this 11-year-old station. As I noted to my friend, how much would it be to go to Home Depot or Lowes to get a coulple cans of Rustolium? I realize RTA has a mighty task just to keep the trains running and scarce funds from our extremely stingy state, but maintenance needs to be improved on a number of counts.

FYI from Toronto: Service suspended on Line 1, Lawrence to Finch Stations, due to scheduled track upgrades. Shuttle buses operating. #TTC https://t.co/WOKQWZt12D

 

https://t.co/yURRc110MZ

FYI from Toronto: Service suspended on Line 1, Lawrence to Finch Stations, due to scheduled track upgrades. Shuttle buses operating. #TTC https://t.co/WOKQWZt12D

 

https://t.co/yURRc110MZ

 

Yep, a rarity.  And it affects about 2% of the system.  And look at all the tweets in their Twitter feed making sure people know what's going on (multiple per hour in a large font with pictures).  And I found multiple articles explaining what they were doing, why it was down, for how long, what stops were affected, and even a map showing how the shuttle busses would operate.

 

You can't compare that to the shutdowns in Cleveland that warrant little explanation and affect 2/3 of the system.

 

Also, you mentioned WMATA "shutting down entire rail lines for months at a time".  That's not true.  Most of the 15 surges preserve the line running by single tracking.  I believe only four of them are shutdowns, and none of them cover an entire line (usually only a span of a handful of stations).  Also, if you want to see an example of how a transit system SHOULD notify their riders of the when/why/how/etc of shutdowns, check this out:

 

http://www.wmata.com/Images/Mrel/MF_Uploads/SafeTrack_Public.pdf

^ Yes, KJP and I have both been very vocal about the need for RTA to communicate information about shut downs in a better way-- often citing Toronto as a good example to follow.

^^Exactly!...Next weekend, RTA is shutting down the Blue and Green lines but with no explanation as to why. In fact they have a whloe upcoming schedule of weekend rail shutdowns but no explanation as to why. That just should not be happening.

Yep, the TTC is awesome in its customer engagement efforts. RTA has a lot to learn from them.

 

Also, you mentioned WMATA "shutting down entire rail lines for months at a time".  That's not true.  Most of the 15 surges preserve the line running by single tracking.  I believe only four of them are shutdowns, and none of them cover an entire line (usually only a span of a handful of stations).  Also, if you want to see an example of how a transit system SHOULD notify their riders of the when/why/how/etc of shutdowns, check this out:

 

http://www.wmata.com/Images/Mrel/MF_Uploads/SafeTrack_Public.pdf

 

Not talking about the past. Look up WMATA's repair plans.

BTW, word is that RTA will scrap 16 rail cars -- 8 Tokyu cars and 8 Breda cars. These cars like haven’t been in service for a long time and we're picked clean of their usable parts to keep the rest of the fleet running. By my calculations, RTA is down to 27 Breda cars. I'm told 15 of those are currently available for service (a slight increase over a month or two ago).

Also, you mentioned WMATA "shutting down entire rail lines for months at a time".  That's not true.  Most of the 15 surges preserve the line running by single tracking.  I believe only four of them are shutdowns, and none of them cover an entire line (usually only a span of a handful of stations).  Also, if you want to see an example of how a transit system SHOULD notify their riders of the when/why/how/etc of shutdowns, check this out:

 

http://www.wmata.com/Images/Mrel/MF_Uploads/SafeTrack_Public.pdf

 

Not talking about the past. Look up WMATA's repair plans.

 

I'm not sure what you mean.  This is current and ongoing.

 

Their current alerts page reflects these surges plus additional work, which is all single tracking on weekends or at night:

 

http://www.wmata.com/rail/trackwork.cfm

That only goes to December. That's when WMATA will release its detailed list of station closures, single-tracking projects, nighttime shutdowns, and in at least one case, a long-term shutdown (Anacostia line).

It's truly disheartening on UO it seems there's at least as much, if not more, effort apolgizing for and defending RTA's suspect actions than there is getting at the truth.

It's truly disheartening on UO it seems there's at least as much, if not more, effort apolgizing for and defending RTA's suspect actions than there is getting at the truth.

 

I don't know anyone here that is an RTA apologist. But not everything RTA does is suspect or malicious. Yes, we should hold their feet to the fire, but also should recognize that they are often doing the best that they can.

It's truly disheartening on UO it seems there's at least as much, if not more, effort apolgizing for and defending RTA's suspect actions than there is getting at the truth.

 

I don't know anyone here that is an RTA apologist. But not everything RTA does is suspect or malicious. Yes, we should hold their feet to the fire, but also should recognize that they are often doing the best that they can.

I'm not going as far as to say "suspect" or "malicious".  It's more about bad execution and proper marketing of the system.  And I'm still bitter about the Shaker Rapid take over, remake and fumble!

It's truly disheartening on UO it seems there's at least as much, if not more, effort apolgizing for and defending RTA's suspect actions than there is getting at the truth.

 

I don't know anyone here that is an RTA apologist. But not everything RTA does is suspect or malicious. Yes, we should hold their feet to the fire, but also should recognize that they are often doing the best that they can.

 

I'll say sometimes they're doing the best they can.  I have applauded RTA for things like the downtown Trolleys and leveraging federal money to rebuild aging rail stations...and the UC-Little Italy relocated station is a gem both in form and function...

 

...but when RTA is bad it seems it is either met with silence (ie: Joe Calabrese's tacit attempt to blame Tower City for the temp elevator debacle, which itself is inexcusable ... yet it only merited crickets ...), the lack of planning or attempt to seek P3 funding or engage in a serious TOD initiative.... The Blue-Green rail car crisis should be subject to investigation and, yet when Calabrese denies the system is in peril, people seem to accept it despite strong evidence to the contrary... The Blue-Green train disaster during the Cavs' celebration could/should have been avoided. (Joe C bizarrely got a public/media pat on the back for the Old College try on that one, including on UO where people know better).

 

No one is denying that Ohio is more than absurd with it's non-funding of transit and that this is beyond RTA's control.  But had RTA officials long ago stepped up and addressed the LRT car issue, funding could have been sought-probably had to replace these old, poorly built cars...it's not like people woke up and realized there was a problem yesterday...

 

Other issues:

Dirty buses, cars, right-of-ways and rundown fafacilities... I noted the other day that the 11-year-old E.105 station has rusted out steps...it has been said that RTA does not prioritize facility maintenance so facilities like stations become rundown....in some cases to the extent of requiring expensive partial rebuilds..  The Shaker Boulevard open cut between Shaker Sq. and Woodhill is weed-covered and full of trash, and has been that way, now, for years... Not maintaining clean facilities is a CHOICE that is not dictated by a lack of money.

 

RTA's communication with the public is terrible on many levels, notably on explaining why there are specific rail shutdowns of the way too many of them.

 

...and yes, I firmly believe RTA has way too many near total rail shutdowns. And despite comments to the contrary, I have yet to see other transit systems shut down rail (constantly) because road-non transit maintenance of construction.... 2 weeks ago the entire East Side Rapid network (about 2/3s the system) because of "ODOT" -- that was the explanation; even though the Inner Belt bridge over the Rapid had, had it's ribbon cutting 2 weeks prior....no explanation.

 

I could go on and on, but I'll stop here.

That only goes to December. That's when WMATA will release its detailed list of station closures, single-tracking projects, nighttime shutdowns, and in at least one case, a long-term shutdown (Anacostia line).

 

We'll have to agree to disagree here.  WMATA is undergoing a massive overhaul of all of their tracks.  The SafeTrack page explains that these closures are unusual because they are condensing three years' worth of work into one.  Yet, they still have less closures than the Rapid and far better advance communication of those closures.

So it's 11 pm and Joe Calabrese was at the Tower City directing westbound Red Line passengers into the temporary station entrance. While there were many RTA police, CPD, Homeland Security, County Deputies and Tower City security along the walkway and through Tower City directing World Series fans to the proper station entrances (including using food court tables to cordon off routes), Joe C. was the lone RTA staff person right outside the temporary station entrance.

Good article except for the typo in the opening paragraph:

 

Inter|Urban launches website, announces phase two of the "Art & Culture Connector" along Rapid line

KARIN CONNELLY RICE | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

 

Nearly a year after receiving a $150,000 grant from the Cleveland Foundation to create public art along the RTA red line between downtown and Public Square, LAND studio last week announced the launch of the INTER|URBAN website.

 

The site highlights each of the 18 INTER|URBAN art installations and profiles the local, national and international mural artists and photographers who created them. The site also explores the Anisfield-Wolf Award winning literature that inspired each artist. The 81-year-old award, administered by the Cleveland Foundation, recognizes books that tackle issues of racism, diversity, equity and social justice.

 

The project, a partnership between LAND studio, the Cleveland Foundation, the City of Cleveland, RTA, Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) and the Anisfeld-Wolf Book Awards, originally came about in 2014 as a way to beautify the Rapid route for guests traveling from the airport to downtown for the Republican National Convention.

 

MORE:

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/InterUrban102516.aspx

RTA has hired Sean Thompson, previously in charge of WMATA oversight at FTA, as Director of Rail Operations

 

http://www.riderta.com/news/oct-27-2016-new-rail-director-joins-rta-fta

RTA has hired Sean Thompson, previously in charge of WMATA oversight at FTA, as Director of Rail Operations

 

http://www.riderta.com/news/oct-27-2016-new-rail-director-joins-rta-fta

 

Well that's come full circle from just one page prior on this thread! :)

I wonder if he has rail vehicle procurement experience...

He's a safety expert. From what I understand, he has no knowledge of transit vehicle procurement.

 

RTA names new director of rail operations

By Ginger Christ, The Plain Dealer

on October 27, 2016 at 3:06 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority has tapped a Federal Transit Administration employee as its new director of rail operations.

 

Sean Thompson, who has worked in the transportation industry for two decades, will assume his new position with RTA on Oct. 31. He will receive an annual salary of $150,000.

 

"Sean brings a wealth of experience directing day-to-day rail operations. But he also has spent years creating, implementing and overseeing safety initiatives, assuring compliance with safety oversight regulations," Joe Calabrese, RTA CEO and general manager, said in a statement.

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/10/rta_names_new_director_of_rail.html

While we're waiting (hopefully not forever) for some kind of TOD to built on the Municipal parking lot along the Shoreway (aka: "Muny Lot"), I wonder how come the City and RTA don't coordinate with a plan to utilize the advantage of a large parking lot adjacent to a Rapid Transit terminal.  Why can't people parking, and paying, at Muny lot get their RTA fare comped?  Seems like that would be a win-win situation: get more cars off downtown streets and into the lot; get more riders onto the WLF circulating to places like the Flats and Public Square/Gateway (and with the flexibility to hop over to Ohio City if they want).  It just doesn't seem we like we have good coordination with, or appreciation of, transit here.

 

I remember in the late 1990s RTA coordinated with the old Holy Moses river taxi to provide $1 taxi rides (as opposed to $4 or $5) upon presentation of an RTA fare card.  Of course, RTA operated til 2a on weekends during the summer back then.  Those days, with that kind of transit coordination, seem a distant past with today's leadership.

Not sure this exactly goes here but it is related.  The Cleveland Skylift people are flying in engineers to discuss locations for the stations with the city planning dept.  If that is going to happen a good option might be to slap one on top of the fabled train station/parking garage/pedestrian bridge/bus station thing. 

From their facebook:

Things are moving in the right direction, we are flying in our gondola engineers to participate in a stakeholder design meeting. Cleveland City Planning is coming through for us and helping us facilitate! Lots of forward thinkers attending :) Cle is on a roll, lets make it fly!

There's a skylift thread.