Posted by GCRTA's Jose Feliciano Jr. on his Facebook timeline....

 

This morning I was able to check out @ProterraInc's very cool electric, zero emissions, bus prototype. Look for this bus on Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority routes this week ;)

 

He added this in response to a question:

 

...they are nice but it takes 8 hours to get a full charge on the battery and can only go 250 miles a single charge. We have multiple runs that we need more miles on the charge. Additionally cost is definitely a barrier (until the United States Ohio decided that transit matters), but hopefully when make future bus buys we will be able to buy some of these beautiful vehicles that are kind to our environment with their zero emissions!

 

Here it is parked on West 6th in front of GCRTA's HQ:

 

 

Another take from Lexington, Kentucky that is deploying the buses (along with a pretty cool overhead charger): http://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article139489403.html

 

And Louisville, Kentucky: https://www.ridetarc.org/zerobus-and-hops

After that announcement, there were some on Twitter who dubbed this a "lipstick on a pig" move because the HealthLine really needs dedicated lanes through UC, from East 105th to East 118th, to avoid getting delayed by the traffic.

 

Which is why University Circle employees (esp UH employees), students and visitors are better off walking to the Little Italy-UC Red Line station (which is .4 miles from UH's main building; .3 miles from the corner of Euclid and Mayfield) and taking the Red Line downtown or beyond... IF a. their destination downtown is west of E. 9th or b. they're heading to the West Side... The Rapid usually only takes 14-to-16 minutes to reach Tower City from Little Italy.

On Saturday Aug. 15, 2015, several days after the new Little Italy station opened, All Aboard Ohio held a race between the HealthLine and the Red Line starting at Constantino's Uptown grocery store and ending at the main entrance from Public Square to Tower City Center. The train contestants walked off to the rail station while the BRT contestants headed to the Euclid/East 115th station right out front of Constantino's. A bus showed up in less than 10 minutes. For the train contingent, they waited only a few minutes after walking about five minutes. So the boardings occurred almost simultaneously. Even though the Feast of the Assumption was going full tilt, there was very little westbound traffic on Euclid through UC. Traffic was heavier eastbound. But by the the time the contestant BRT vehicle left the Euclid/East 79th station, the contestant Red Line train had just arrived Tower City station. The contestant rail riders arrived Tower City's portico on Public Square a few minutes later. Another 23 minutes after that, the contestant BRT riders joined them.

^There you go... pretty amazing.  And the HL is an upgrade in speed over the old No. 6 bus it replaced, it just can't come close to competing with the Red Line speed-wise... I do believe dedicated BRT lanes from E. 105 to E. 118th Street would certain help speed things up for the HL.  It's hard to envision this happening given the level of traffic through this area during rush hour ... and btw, on more than one occasion while driving, I've been caught in bumper-to-bumper westbound traffic on Euclid between 3:30 and 5p.

KJP---re the photo of the bus a fe posts above, what does that destination sign say? Is it a typo on the bus or is that intentional? Is it supposed to be "revolutionizing"?

 

 

On Saturday Aug. 15, 2015, several days after the new Little Italy station opened, All Aboard Ohio held a race between the HealthLine and the Red Line starting at Constantino's Uptown grocery store and ending at the main entrance from Public Square to Tower City Center. The train contestants walked off to the rail station while the BRT contestants headed to the Euclid/East 115th station right out front of Constantino's. A bus showed up in less than 10 minutes. For the train contingent, they waited only a few minutes after walking about five minutes. So the boardings occurred almost simultaneously. Even though the Feast of the Assumption was going full tilt, there was very little westbound traffic on Euclid through UC. Traffic was heavier eastbound. But by the the time the contestant BRT vehicle left the Euclid/East 79th station, the contestant Red Line train had just arrived Tower City station. The contestant rail riders arrived Tower City's portico on Public Square a few minutes later. Another 23 minutes after that, the contestant BRT riders joined them.

 

In my mind this is kinda an apple and oranges comparison, except for those riders who want to go from Little Italy to Public Square.  If I wanted to go to Tower City I would of course take the Red Line.  However, if I wanted to go to the Clinic, Gallucis, CSU, Playhouse Square, Heinens, Jacobs Field or points north on East Ninth Street I would take the Health Line.  The Red Line is quicker but at least on the east side between University Circle and Public Square it doesn't go anywhere I or most people want to go.

Well, of course the HL has more stops and is more convenient for a lot of users. It's drawing an apples to oranges comparison for usage, unless the comparison was just speed from a specific location.

KJP---re the photo of the bus a fe posts above, what does that destination sign say? Is it a typo on the bus or is that intentional? Is it supposed to be "revolutionizing"?

 

 

 

It's an all electric, zero-emmisions demo.  So I guess that's what they are pitching :)

^But it doesn't say "Revolutionizing" it says something else that I don't think is a word.

In my mind this is kinda an apple and oranges comparison, except for those riders who want to go from Little Italy to Public Square.  If I wanted to go to Tower City I would of course take the Red Line.  However, if I wanted to go to the Clinic, Gallucis, CSU, Playhouse Square, Heinens, Jacobs Field or points north on East Ninth Street I would take the Health Line.  The Red Line is quicker but at least on the east side between University Circle and Public Square it doesn't go anywhere I or most people want to go.

 

Yeah but that's an east-siders' viewpoint which automatically discounts it. ;)

On Saturday Aug. 15, 2015, several days after the new Little Italy station opened, All Aboard Ohio held a race between the HealthLine and the Red Line starting at Constantino's Uptown grocery store and ending at the main entrance from Public Square to Tower City Center. The train contestants walked off to the rail station while the BRT contestants headed to the Euclid/East 115th station right out front of Constantino's. A bus showed up in less than 10 minutes. For the train contingent, they waited only a few minutes after walking about five minutes. So the boardings occurred almost simultaneously. Even though the Feast of the Assumption was going full tilt, there was very little westbound traffic on Euclid through UC. Traffic was heavier eastbound. But by the the time the contestant BRT vehicle left the Euclid/East 79th station, the contestant Red Line train had just arrived Tower City station. The contestant rail riders arrived Tower City's portico on Public Square a few minutes later. Another 23 minutes after that, the contestant BRT riders joined them.

 

In my mind this is kinda an apple and oranges comparison, except for those riders who want to go from Little Italy to Public Square.  If I wanted to go to Tower City I would of course take the Red Line.  However, if I wanted to go to the Clinic, Gallucis, CSU, Playhouse Square, Heinens, Jacobs Field or points north on East Ninth Street I would take the Health Line.  The Red Line is quicker but at least on the east side between University Circle and Public Square it doesn't go anywhere I or most people want to go.

 

Too bad City leaders continue to punk out in building a subway up Euclid again and again... btw, a person in Little Italy wouldn't opt for the Health Line over the Rapid to get to Progressive Field.  Not so sure about Heinen's, either for a person in Little Italy would have to walk practically as far to get to the HL as they would from Tower City to Heinen's for a ride that takes twice as long to get there and, as noted above, even longer during rush hour.

 

The fact that ridership on the HL is much higher than ridership on the east side portion of the Red Line gives us some hint as to the relative utility of the two service to the people currently riding RTA.

The fact that ridership on the HL is much higher than ridership on the east side portion of the Red Line gives us some hint as to the relative utility of the two service to the people currently riding RTA.

 

And both have seen significant declines since the 1960s when east-side CTS rail ridership was more than double what it is now. Or since the 1980s when Euclid/Chester bus ridership was 54,000 per day vs 16,000 now on the HealthLine. Sure, it's about transit utility, but only so far as transit supportive land-use policies to promote greater use of our existing, invested infrastructure.

Just saw a eastside Red Line shuttle bus unable to board some people at West 117th due to overcrowding. 

On a game day it's dumbfounding that RTA isn't running extra buses or at least using the articulated buses that don't normally get used on Sundays.  I'm headed to the airport to rent a car and I would've driven if I had remembered the shutdown.

Just saw a eastside Red Line shuttle bus unable to board some people at West 117th due to overcrowding. 

On a game day it's dumbfounding that RTA isn't running extra buses or at lease using the articulated buses that don't normally get used on Sundays.  I'm headed to the airport to rent a car and I would've driven if I had remembered the shutdown.

 

I've seen lots of Tribe-game bound friends complaining on social media about the redline today.  You're right--a few runs of the articulated longer buses would have certainly helped.

Just saw a eastside Red Line shuttle bus unable to board some people at West 117th due to overcrowding. 

On a game day it's dumbfounding that RTA isn't running extra buses or at lease using the articulated buses that don't normally get used on Sundays.  I'm headed to the airport to rent a car and I would've driven if I had remembered the shutdown.

 

I've seen lots of Tribe-game bound friends complaining on social media about the redline today.  You're right--a few runs of the articulated longer buses would have certainly helped.

It's a sign of bureausclerosis when an agency can't even react well to planned changes in circumstances.

Just saw a eastside Red Line shuttle bus unable to board some people at West 117th due to overcrowding. 

On a game day it's dumbfounding that RTA isn't running extra buses or at lease using the articulated buses that don't normally get used on Sundays.  I'm headed to the airport to rent a car and I would've driven if I had remembered the shutdown.

 

I've seen lots of Tribe-game bound friends complaining on social media about the redline today.  You're right--a few runs of the articulated longer buses would have certainly helped.

It's a sign of bureausclerosis when an agency can't even react well to planned changes in circumstances.

 

You would think RTA would plan a shutdown when the Indians are on the road and there are no big events  downtown... In somewhat RTA's defense, the next 2 weeks feature Labor Day and the Air Show next weekend and the Browns home opener with the Steelers in 2 weeks, both of which will have rare crowding/rushes on the Waterfront Line, which is a good thing.... The arguments against RTA is why didn't they time this construction/rehab earlier on seemingly slack weekends?

Just saw a eastside Red Line shuttle bus unable to board some people at West 117th due to overcrowding. 

On a game day it's dumbfounding that RTA isn't running extra buses or at lease using the articulated buses that don't normally get used on Sundays.  I'm headed to the airport to rent a car and I would've driven if I had remembered the shutdown.

 

I've seen lots of Tribe-game bound friends complaining on social media about the redline today.  You're right--a few runs of the articulated longer buses would have certainly helped.

It's a sign of bureausclerosis when an agency can't even react well to planned changes in circumstances.

 

You would think RTA would plan a shutdown when the Indians are on the road and there are no big events  downtown... In somewhat RTA's defense, the next 2 weeks feature Labor Day and the Air Show next weekend and the Browns home opener with the Steelers in 2 weeks, both of which will have rare crowding/rushes on the Waterfront Line, which is a good thing.... The arguments against RTA is why didn't they time this construction/rehab earlier on seemingly slack weekends?

 

Other than commuters, people are most likely to try RTA for special events, so when they are unprepared it's not good PR which is not good for promoting ridership.

Agreed--this kind of service on a game day will instantly cause dissent among the already dissenting suburban rider ranks.  The kind that will cause them to never come back. 

But the Waterfront Line still shuts down at 7 p.m.? Hmmm....

 

E-news - Sept. 1, 2017

 

RTA extends late-night service on the Green Line

 

Because of high demand and ridership, Green Line service will be extended from 9 p.m. to midnight, effective Monday evening, Sept. 25. RTA may also provide late-night Green Line service for certain special events that occur before Sept. 25. For updates, go to the RTA Web site, or check Twitter or Facebook. The extension comes in time to serve October's major sporting events -- Indians' post-season playoffs, and the start of the Cavaliers basketball season.

Didn't the green line just change from midnight to 9 in the past year or so? My family and I took it to the Christmas tree lighting last November and we got stranded and had to Uber back to Green road... Seeing as taking the rapid was my idea in the first place, I wasn't the best transit ambassador that night, haha

Yes the Green Line had a shortened schedule starting within the last year.

 

If anything I would have thought that extended WFL service (at least on the weekends) would be the first "permanent" restoration.  I half expected RTA to return the Green Line to its old hours just for the baseball playoffs but this seems like it's semi-permanent.

Yes the Green Line had a shortened schedule starting within the last year.

 

If anything I would have thought that extended WFL service (at least on the weekends) would be the first "permanent" restoration.  I half expected RTA to return the Green Line to its old hours just for the baseball playoffs but this seems like it's semi-permanent.

 

You make sense... But unfortunately Joe C/RTA have happily bought into the narrative pushed by Scene, Mark Naymik and others that "nobody ever" rides the Waterfront Line so that even a half-ass, traffic clogged free Trolley which, btw, closes at 11p on weekends when FEB's clubs and restaurants are at full tilt -- even the regular WFL went to 12:05p... is preferable to the WFL... Ridiculous.

 

As for the Green Line, even though RTA relied on the rationale of low late evening ridership at the end of the route (at Green Road) for closing the line after 9p, they failed to take into account that this also hurt the closer-in, densely-populated Shaker-Buckeye neighborhood which utilizes the service significantly, with half-hourly service to Shaker Square after 9p as opposed to the normal 15-minute interval service... a  lot of what RTA just doesn't make sense.

 

... btw, even though RTA's website posted that late evening Green Line service has been restored, 'see the new schedule here' ... that link to the new schedule actually posts the old Green Line schedule, ending at 9p. 

Maybe it should keep going after 9, but only as far as Shaker Square.  There's no question the neighborhoods east and west of it have different transit needs.

Maybe it should keep going after 9, but only as far as Shaker Square.  There's no question the neighborhoods east and west of it have different transit needs.

 

Um, it does. In fact it runs all the way to midnight. It's called the Blue Line.

More RTA follies:

 

I was on an an eastbound Green Line train at just after 5p this afternoon, when the train stopped just before the E. 55 Red Line platform ... to change drivers.  Because our driver was an older lady and the replacement driver was apparently running late, we sat for 6 minutes ... during the height of rush hour!!  This wacko shift change took so long and with, of course, no announcement or explanation from the driver, passengers started giving each other WTF glances and stares... Why in the hell does RTA make these driver changes, esp during rush hour, at E. 55?  Yeah, I know the Central Yards and repair facilities are located but, really, how hard is it and how much more expensive is it to have drivers hop a train and ride 5 minutes to Tower City, the central rapid station in the system, to make these driver-shift changes.  And at the very least, why does RTA have rail driver shifts that begin/end during rush hour... I swear, this is absolutely the most poorly run, unprofessional major transit system in the country, bar none. 

 

... on a lesser note, I must applaud RTA... We noticed at the (usually unmanned) circular customer information counter in the center of the Tower City rail station, RTA has just removed their How to Survive the GOP Convention flyers ... exactly 1 year and 2 months after the RNC ended!! ... Congrats RTA.

 

... at least they put in rarely seen (I've never seen them) rail rapid transit information flyers -- this one must have gotten by Joe C...

So RTA's going to shut down the Green and Blue Lines for 9 straight days in September during one of it's busier periods with no explanation other than "multiple track projects" ... really?

 

http://www.riderta.com/service-alerts/nine-day-construction-project

From what I heard, it was due to Grace Gallucci and the person who complained to her (family member or friend, I don't remember which) about the Green Line not running after 9 p.m.....

 

RTA's Green Line will run past midnight again (photos)

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/09/rtas_green_line_will_run_past_midnight_again_photos.html

^This also dovetails with the fall semester (already in session) at John Carroll U, whose students are regular Green Line users... I'm sure they'll be thrilled they can hang out downtown just a little bit later not having to drive -- if they have cars to begin with, that is ...

 

... btw, the headline of the Green Line "running past midnight" is very misleading, as the service ends at Midnight -- the last train out of TC leaves at 12a sharp... nevertheless, I welcome the return of the service.

MetroHealth‏ @metrohealthCLE  1h1 hour ago

Celebrating our new partnership with @GCRTA! We're excited to unveil the MetroHealth Line!

 

 

City of Cleveland‏Verified account @CityofCleveland

The MetroHealth Line will bring access to health care services along the upgraded route. Another example of investment in our neighborhoods.

 

 

MetroHealth‏ @metrohealthCLE

"Many trips to the doctor start with a walk to the bus stop." - @GCRTA

From what I heard, it was due to Grace Gallucci and the person who complained to her (family member or friend, I don't remember which) about the Green Line not running after 9 p.m.....

 

RTA's Green Line will run past midnight again (photos)

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/09/rtas_green_line_will_run_past_midnight_again_photos.html

 

Do they mean just the eastern portion of it?  Because you said all Green Line service from downtown to Shaker Square was called the Blue Line.

^^The new MetroHealth Line, eh?  ... So this is the future of RTA bus lines.  Have a company along a bus route throw RTA a few bucks and, shazam!, a brand new bus line, appears - heck, call it a Rapid Transit ... er, bus rapid transit that is...

 

At this rate, all the traditional numbered bus routes will disappear.  How about a "McDonalds @ E. 105 & St. Clair Line" or perhaps a "Hot Sauce Williams Line."  Pretty catchy.  After all this, JoeC can brag that Cleveland has one of the most extensive "Rapid Transit" systems in the world!

After 9 p.m., the Blue/Green trunk line west of the Shaker Square continued to be served by Blue Line trains, albeit only half-hourly (with the Blue Line trains continuing east of Shaker Square along Van Aken). Now, the trunk line west of Shaker Square will be served every 15 minutes after 9 p.m. to midnight by Blue and Green line trains, with half of the trains continuing east of Shaker Square along Van Aken (Blue only) and the other half continuing east of Shaker Square along Shaker (Green only). Clear?

 

BTW, if the state doesn't come up with a replacement for the Managed Care Organization sales tax revenues that comprise about 10 percent of GCRTA annual tax revenues, the Green Line cut will likely return, the Waterfront Line will probably return to weekends-only, and other routes will be scaled back or eliminated.

That's what I thought, but this response had muddied the waters.

 

Maybe it should keep going after 9, but only as far as Shaker Square.  There's no question the neighborhoods east and west of it have different transit needs.

 

Um, it does. In fact it runs all the way to midnight. It's called the Blue Line.

 

Now that we're clear, I'd like to repeat the suggestion of keeping both lines running to Shaker Square but cutting the hours of Green Line service east of it.  This approach could minimize the impact of cutbacks on the transit dependent population, a population which becomes sparse as the Green Line heads into the wealthy section of Shaker Heights.  It's still not ideal and it may not be enough of a cut to solve the budget problem but it might be worth looking at.

West 25th Street bus line will be upgraded and carry MetroHealth logo

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170921/news/136391/west-25th-street-bus-line-will-be-upgraded-and-carry-metrohealth-logo

Will your transit route be affected? Probably...

 

Proposal to boost compensation to counties and transit systems would fall short http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/09/proposal_to_boost_compensation_to_counties_and_transit_systems_would_still_fall_short_photos.html

If Budish and others are saying Dolan's proposal falls short, then who is doing anything to fill the shortfall/gap?  Or are folks just content to let RTA continue to cut services on a system already cut to the bone?

If Budish and others are saying Dolan's proposal falls short, then who is doing anything to fill the shortfall/gap?  Or are folks just content to let RTA continue to cut services on a system already cut to the bone?

 

Everyone is looking for someone else to pay. That's the Cleveland way, and the Ohio way.

If Budish and others are saying Dolan's proposal falls short, then who is doing anything to fill the shortfall/gap?  Or are folks just content to let RTA continue to cut services on a system already cut to the bone?

 

Everyone is looking for someone else to pay. That's the Cleveland way, and the Ohio way.

 

Isn't that the "Everywhere in the USA way?" 

 

I get the sense that transit is not funded fully in any state in our nation, especially when compared to Canada, Europe, Australia, etc.

If Budish and others are saying Dolan's proposal falls short, then who is doing anything to fill the shortfall/gap?  Or are folks just content to let RTA continue to cut services on a system already cut to the bone?

 

Everyone is looking for someone else to pay. That's the Cleveland way, and the Ohio way.

 

Isn't that the "Everywhere in the USA way?" 

 

I get the sense that transit is not funded fully in any state in our nation, especially when compared to Canada, Europe, Australia, etc.

 

That's true, but there are some parts of the country that 'get it' in terms of stepping to the plate dollar-wise to build/maintain transit -- ie most old Eastern metropolises and more enlightened Sun Belt and western formerly sprawl cities like LA, Denver and Dallas.

 

Cleveland's in a particularly bad situation.  It's the only metropolis in the state with a serious rail (rapid) based transit network, but it sits in a relatively liberal/progressive corner of a very conservative state where Cleveland, unlike say Chicago, does not dominate.  Worse yet are the downstate rural and ex-urban conservative types who resent Cleveland and despise transit, and jump at any chance to stick it to the City in any way they can.

 

RTA's HealthLine Could Get a Lot Slower With New Fare Enforcement Method

 

Effective today and until further notice, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has announced there is a change in fare collection policies on HealthLine vehicles.

 

 

Instead of the "proof of payment" system, where riders purchase tickets ahead of time and produce their fare cards for roving fare enforcement officers, HealthLine fare inspection will be now done by the vehicle operator at the fare box in the front of the bus.

 

 

 

 

More below:

https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2017/10/31/rtas-health-line-could-get-a-lot-slower-with-new-fare-enforcement-method

They need to a) make the ticket machines easier to use, b) have a fare enforcement department which is separate from the transit police, and c) decriminalize fare evasion.

Maybe they can implement the signal prioritization to try to get the buses moving in between the driver enforcing fares.

Sooooooo it's like a regular bus now.

Maybe they can implement the signal prioritization to try to get the buses moving in between the driver enforcing fares.

 

Hey now, enough with the crazy talk. We can't inconvenience those Clinic executives when they're cruising down Euclid!

I rode it from Public Square to Playhouse Square today around 4:50 PM, and the driver was pretty good at checking fares while stopped at lights and driving on all the greens. He was opening all the doors and then getting on the PA and telling people to bring their fares up front. It was rush hour and our bus wasn't empty, but not horribly crowded, either. I can't imagine how it could be done on a more crowded bus.

They need to a) make the ticket machines easier to use, b) have a fare enforcement department which is separate from the transit police, and c) decriminalize fare evasion.

 

 

Agree with a) but not so much with b) and c).  The Cleveland judge's ruling/opinion should be overturned.

I don't think police should be doing fare enforcement. Both for intimidation/4th amendment concerns, and because it distracts from their real job of safety. Having them do fare enforcement is like having security take tickets at an Indians game. Or having the off duty cops at giant eagle also work the checkout lines. It's absurd.

 

Other systems abroad (and I'm assuming in the US too, I just haven't ridden them) use actual fare enforcement departments to run proof-of-payment systems, not cops.

 

In other news I was walking down Euclid this morning and walked by three transit police officers griping about the new system. I wish I heard more of their conversation but I did catch "when the doors are all open, you just can't stop everyone...."

Which U.S. transit systems and how are fare checks/proof-of-payments handled?