Official RTA rail info, as of 12-31-2011

 

Annual Rail Service: 2.5 million revenue miles

 

Red Line Rapid Transit

* 60 heavy-rail cars

* 18 high-platform stations

* 19 route miles of track

 

Blue/Green Line Rapid Transit (includes Waterfront Line)

* 48 light-rail cars

* 34 low-platform stations

* 15.3 route miles of track

 

RTA's 2011 annual report is now available on-line. Enjoy.

 

http://www.riderta.com/annual/2011/

 

RTA offers St. Patrick Day summary: http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1716

If you were not able to listen to WCPN today, you missed a chance to hear officials from Cleveland and RTA talk about public transit.

 

A lot of myths were shot down. Here are the facts.

 

http://www.riderta.com/newsroom/releases/?listingid=1717

It's rather daunting that on St. Patrick's Day, 100,000, (70,000 on rail), caused the our 32-mile rail system to be near bursting at the seams while, for example, Philly's 13-mile Blue Line, alone, handles 180,000 on an avg. weekday.  Both Tornoto and Montreal have 44-mile systems that carry 1M daily.  And RTA really stuggled to handle those 70,000... Kinda puts us in perspective.

Its all because of everyone trying to get on at one location (tower city). I think our system could easily handle 100,000 if it was regular traffic.

 

Photo from the report.

 

And this is not even the public square entrance floor.

Weren't the escalators working?

The platform below was full/overflowing, so I think the escalators were blocked off (couldn't get close enough to see...)

It probably would be able to handle it if we had more than one central downtown Stop. If there were hypothetical stations at 9th and Euclid, 14th and Euclid, Superior and West 9th etc. Tower City wouldn't have been overwhelmed.

As long as the trains were all full when they entered or left downtown, the number of escalators or downtown stations wouldn't have affected total capacity.  Only adding more train length or increasing frequency would have moved people in and out of downtown faster.

 

Also, probably instantly obvious to everyone but me, but 100,000 rides presumably means only 50,000 rt riders, so I guess RTA carried only about 10% of the crowd that day.  I was assuming it was significantly higher.  To echo clvlndr, definitely humbling when we look at other systems with rail.  But still impressive for such a short period.

To hear a local transit update from Cleveland and Akronthat was aired earlier this week on WCPN, click here.

 

http://www.ideastream.org/soi/entry/46034

 

 

 

Official RTA rail info, as of 12-31-2011

 

Annual Rail Service: 2.5 million revenue miles

 

Red Line Rapid Transit

* 60 heavy-rail cars

* 18 high-platform stations

* 19 route miles of track

 

Blue/Green Line Rapid Transit (includes Waterfront Line)

* 48 light-rail cars

* 34 low-platform stations

* 15.3 route miles of track

 

 

I think this is a bit misleading.  IIRC, only 28 or 29 of the red line cars are actually operable and had mechanical rehabs done to them.  It is a similar smaller subset of light rail cars that were rehabbed that are ready for operation as well.

 

So when RTA says all rail cars were in operation, they aren't talking about 60 red line cars, but maybe 30.  In the end it might not matter if the signal system wouldn't allow additional frequencies or 3 car trains.

 

Jerry - can you provide data on the number of cars that are actually operable, not just "owned" or used for spare parts?  At least a dozen of the cars parked at 55th don't even have doors anymore.

Speaking of the Red Line cars, if we aren't going to replace them for a few more years (or more!), then we need to update their interiors. In a Cleveland focus group I observed last week on transportation policies, the use of the rapid transit system came up. Several of the group members commented on the "yucky" the interiors of the Red Line cars. Another person said they looked like they were a transit time machine back to the 1970s (even though the cars were built in the 80s!).

Saw an RTA ad this morning on CNN. Don't know if I've ever seen one on TV before. Good job!

Saw an RTA ad this morning on CNN. Don't know if I've ever seen one on TV before. Good job!

 

They used to be more common in the mid-1990s, and they ran on local TV.

Speaking of the Red Line cars, if we aren't going to replace them for a few more years (or more!), then we need to update their interiors. In a Cleveland focus group I observed last week on transportation policies, the use of the rapid transit system came up. Several of the group members commented on the "yucky" the interiors of the Red Line cars. Another person said they looked like they were a transit time machine back to the 1970s (even though the cars were built in the 80s!).

 

I believe it was mentioned along with the new trolly lines that are supposed to be coming online that he interiors were being refurbished.  Not sure if this will provide an actual update to the color scheme (which I am absolutely sure is causing the "Yuck" factor).  But I agree a change in color is much needed.

Speaking of the Red Line cars, if we aren't going to replace them for a few more years (or more!), then we need to update their interiors. In a Cleveland focus group I observed last week on transportation policies, the use of the rapid transit system came up. Several of the group members commented on the "yucky" the interiors of the Red Line cars. Another person said they looked like they were a transit time machine back to the 1970s (even though the cars were built in the 80s!).

 

I believe it was mentioned along with the new trolly lines that are supposed to be coming online that he interiors were being refurbished.  Not sure if this will provide an actual update to the color scheme (which I am absolutely sure is causing the "Yuck" factor).  But I agree a change in color is much needed.

 

I think the lights are a bigger part of the problem.  They are older fluorescent tube lights.  Newer trains are using T5/T8 with better kelvin temps make a significant difference, regardless of what the colors in the cars are. 

 

Take a look at the covers of the lights the next time you are on a red line train.

 

I think the lights are a bigger part of the problem.  They are older fluorescent tube lights.  Newer trains are using T5/T8 with better kelvin temps make a significant difference, regardless of what the colors in the cars are. 

 

Take a look at the covers of the lights the next time you are on a red line train.

 

I will, but I can picture them in my head. The 1970s Transit Time Machine comment, I think, was also directed at the awful "1970s orange & brown" colors for the seats.

 

I think the lights are a bigger part of the problem.  They are older fluorescent tube lights.  Newer trains are using T5/T8 with better kelvin temps make a significant difference, regardless of what the colors in the cars are. 

 

Take a look at the covers of the lights the next time you are on a red line train.

 

I will, but I can picture them in my head. The 1970s Transit Time Machine comment, I think, was also directed at the awful "1970s orange & brown" colors for the seats.

 

That was worse that the Green (or some variant of green) we had on the old and refurbished Shaker trains.

Its all because of everyone trying to get on at one location (tower city). I think our system could easily handle 100,000 if it was regular traffic.

 

Photo from the report.

 

And this is not even the public square entrance floor.

 

... which is why I think the Waterfront Line should be used to take pressure off Tower City (with through trains that don't stop at Tower City)... by the way, nice pic ClevelandOhio; really gives an idea of how popular the Rapid was on 3/17.

^ Thank JMasek! He posted the report where I found the picture. And I did use the Waterfront line to avoid Tower City. They didnt run many trains over there and there were about 20 other people at the station.

Saw an RTA ad this morning on CNN. Don't know if I've ever seen one on TV before. Good job!

 

Yes, I caught 2 RTA ads last night during evening local news.  They were smart, good looking and to the point... Nice job by RTA.  Hope we see more of them.

^ Thank JMasek! He posted the report where I found the picture. And I did use the Waterfront line to avoid Tower City. They didnt run many trains over there and there were about 20 other people at the station.

 

OK ... thanks Jerry! ... I think all Blue and Green Line trains should have continued thru to the Waterfront Line with, as noted, some not stopping at Tower City, during peak times... Drivers were struggling to fully platfrom the 3-car trains on the Blue/Green center stub track at Tower City -- it was kinda comical to see one driver, on our outbound/Eastbound train squeeze btw the train and wall beyond the end of the platform to reach the front door in order to open the doors from the outside of the car.  Obviously, with the longer outer platforms, inbound 3-car trains from the Waterfront would not have this problem.

 

Also btw, on my short hop over the river to Ohio City last week, I noticed that the outer Red Line platforms continue along the sides/beyond the foyer/exit area, allowing the outer platforms to be capable of handling 4-car (easily), maybe even 5-car Red Line trains.

Also btw, on my short hop over the river to Ohio City last week, I noticed that the outer Red Line platforms continue along the sides/beyond the foyer/exit area, allowing the outer platforms to be capable of handling 4-car (easily), maybe even 5-car Red Line trains.

 

Interesting. I'll go on Google Earth sometime soon to use its measuring tool to check the platform lengths. I'd been thinking about it just to satisfy my own curiosity.

^^I still disagree about the WFL usage.  If the number of vehicles was the primary limitation, as opposed to track congestion, taking all the Blue/Green line runs on the WFL would reduce frequency and actually reduce total ridership capacity into and out of downtown.  That reduction would have to be weighed against the increased rider comfort.  I'm also not sure how psyched Tower City passengers would be seeing already full trains cruising through downtown's primary transit hub without stopping.  Just my two cents, but I think RTA's compromise on that front made some sense.

Strap, I'm actually more concerned about people congestion rather than track/train congestion.  I'm not saying there would be any more cars or that they'd be faster; I'm just concerned about the extreme crush at 1 station: Tower City when, despite the constant lament that we have only 1 downtown station, we really have several even if they seem somewhat out of the way.  Thru WFL routing could reduce this  (I know I'd much rather catch a train at W. 3rd, E. 9th or the Flats, rather than dealing with Tower City (if I traveled during the peak St. Paddy's day period -- which I didn't)  RTA and Cleveland Cops did a nice job of controlling the crowds and reducing the pervasive knucklehead-dom, but I worry that something really unfortunate could happen at a mall and a transit station that weren't built to handle this kind of crush...

That had to some sort of major safety/fire hazard at Tower city.

Yeah, I'm coming around.  Ideally RTA could have more of its vehicles running and fully functioning signals so frequency could be maxed out, but getting as many Green/Blue line riders to use the WFL stations would free more Tower City space for Red Line riders.  I follow now.  Would take some very serious PR to get riders not to use Tower City, but would probably be the best all around way to operate.

Yeah, I'm coming around. Ideally RTA could have more of its vehicles running and fully functioning signals so frequency could be maxed out, but getting as many Green/Blue line riders to use the WFL stations would free more Tower City space for Red Line riders.  I follow now.  Would take some very serious PR to get riders not to use Tower City, but would probably be the best all around way to operate.

 

Ideally?  Didn't JM post earlier that RTA was running trains at capacity had as many vehicles on-line that day as the system could handle?  If that is the case, what more could RTA do?

 

Regarding comments on St. Patrick's Day...

 

All suggestions regarding serivce changes were forwarded to those who will develop the plan for next year. Thanks you for your input.

 

The maximum car capacity is THREE. The stations cannot accommodate more, AND the electrical system cannot accommodate more. Period.

 

As far as RTA making money that day, let me say this. The costs for both RTA (and I assume the City of Cleveland) are huge on any St. Patrick's Day. Many, many extra people worked that day, in positions you could see, as well as behind the scenes. All public transit systems lose money and need a subsidy.

^Wasn't meant as a criticism of RTA.  "The system" was compromised by damaged signals and, according to urbanlife, some number of inoperable cars (which may be more of a permanent condition).  Presumably, service could be more frequent under "ideal" circumstances in which one or both of these issues were resolved.  Meant as nothing more than a plausible hypothetical in conjunction with proposed service changes.

^Wasn't meant as a criticism of RTA.  "The system" was compromised by damaged signals and, according to urbanlife, some number of inoperable cars (which may be more of a permanent condition).  Presumably, service could be more frequent under "ideal" circumstances in which one or both of these issues were resolved.  Meant as nothing more than a plausible hypothetical in conjunction with proposed service changes.

 

Nor was I implying that you were.  I thought you may have missed JM's previous post.  Is urbanlife an RTA employee, with that kind of knowledge or has he told that info by JM or JD?

Speaking of the Red Line cars, if we aren't going to replace them for a few more years (or more!), then we need to update their interiors. In a Cleveland focus group I observed last week on transportation policies, the use of the rapid transit system came up. Several of the group members commented on the "yucky" the interiors of the Red Line cars. Another person said they looked like they were a transit time machine back to the 1970s (even though the cars were built in the 80s!).

 

Supposedly that is the plan, to update ALL cars.  It was discussed at the Destination Cleveland Launch event.  I posted about it here:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,27144.0.html

 

8th paragraph

Referring to using the Waterfront Line to avoid the large Tower City crowds....If your final destination is the Red Line on the West Side, then even if you boarded the Waterfront Line, you would still have to deboard at Tower City and change trains. If your final destination is Shaker Heights or the eastern suburbs, then that makes more sense, as it would be a one-seat ride.

 

Supposedly that is the plan, to update ALL cars.  It was discussed at the Destination Cleveland Launch event.  I posted about it here:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,27144.0.html

 

8th paragraph

 

Thanks. Good news!

Referring to using the Waterfront Line to avoid the large Tower City crowds....If your final destination is the Red Line on the West Side, then even if you boarded the Waterfront Line, you would still have to deboard at Tower City and change trains. If your final destination is Shaker Heights or the eastern suburbs, then that makes more sense, as it would be a one-seat ride.

 

Jerry, as weird (and out of the way) as it sounds, it appeared that some West Siders may have been shuttling out of Tower City on the WFL trains that were running and transferring to Westbound Red Line trains at stations East of Tower City, such as E. 34th (which never has the kind of crowds I saw on 3/17).  Even E. 55th... Let's face it, riders are creative and utilized any approach possible to get seats and avoid the crush-crowds.

^Yes, I can see that happening, and yes, our riders are creative. Thanks for the note.

Is there any BRT which is inevitable for Cleveland (other than the already-existing Healthline)? I was just poking around Cleveland on Google Maps thinking "that street could fit BRT. Wow, that one could too!" not really knowing how busy the streets are but seeing a huge amount of wide-enough streets in central areas which would seem ripe for BRT.

 

Are there a lot of dedicated (non-BRT) bus lanes?

I think they are studying adding it for Clifton Avenue on the near West Side.

Is there any BRT which is inevitable for Cleveland (other than the already-existing Healthline)? I was just poking around Cleveland on Google Maps thinking "that street could fit BRT. Wow, that one could too!" not really knowing how busy the streets are but seeing a huge amount of wide-enough streets in central areas which would seem ripe for BRT. Are there a lot of dedicated (non-BRT) bus lanes?

 

BRT is some form is being considered for Clifton Blvd. in Cleveland and Lakewood. Beyond that, I think everything is speculation.

Jerry, the buildup for the Rock 'N Roll HOF induction ceremony is quite large, with many exhibits at the Rock Hall itself (and acts and the induction ceremony at differnt locatoins such as the Q and Public Hall).  Any consideration to adding Waterfront Line service in the week prior?  A lot of visitors will be in town and, no doubt, intersted in going to the Rock Hall.

^^ and ^^^

 

Thanks.

Jerry, the buildup for the Rock 'N Roll HOF induction ceremony is quite large, with many exhibits at the Rock Hall itself (and acts and the induction ceremony at differnt locatoins such as the Q and Public Hall).  Any consideration to adding Waterfront Line service in the week prior?  A lot of visitors will be in town and, no doubt, intersted in going to the Rock Hall.

 

This Friday, after the home opener hoopla is over, RTA will announce extra Waterfront Line service for the Rock Hall.

 

There are 3 events on Saturday, April 14.

* Free admission all day at the Rock Hall.

* 8-11 pm , induction ceremony, Public Hall, sold out.

* 8-11 p.m., simulcast of """" at Rock Hall, tickets may still be available.

 

Waterfront Line service will continue all day until the regular end of light-rail service, which is after midnight. So if you want to "rock around the clock" -- you can.

 

On a related note, music fans may be "all shook up" when they see Elvis driving a trolley next week. We would not let him bring his hound dog, but he may be wearing his blue suede shoes. Seven other rock stars will be there, including Tina Turner -- we'll see how good of a "turner" she is really is.

 

The jokes could go on and on and on -- but you get the point. Hop on the trolley, have some fun, and bring your camera and autograph book.

sounds like a good time

^^Most excellent, Jerry... thanks for the update.

On a related note, music fans may be "all shook up" when they see Elvis driving a trolley next week. We would not let him bring his hound dog, but he may be wearing his blue suede shoes.

 

 

See, I told ya dude ain't dead!

Suggestion to RTA: I really like the downtown trolleys.  They're really good looking and fun to ride; I like their small size and old-time wooden seats... all & all, well done.  Plus, they quickly scoot through traffic to get folks around downotown, better than a big, lumbering bus... That said, RTA needs to do better with route maps and destination signs on the trolleys.  Route Maps need to be posted, at least at key boarding/transfer points, like around Public Square.  For someone who's still pretty new to the trolleys (like me), the names E-Line and B-Line don't mean much (altough, I'm guessing it's the E-Line b/c it goes down Euclid... that's only a guess) -- and that group includes me, a local -- Imagine the boat visitors are in.  But that's not good enough.  Like most buses you don't know, they can off veer off onto the never-never land of streets where you have no idea where they're going...

 

It also would help to have destination signs on the trolleys themselvs.  I'm sorry, but "B Line" plus "Go Tribe" and "Sponsored by Dollar Bank" , just doesn't do the job.

I seem to get on the wrong trolley on Public Square because I can't remember what route the B Line takes vs. the E Line. So a few times I've had to jump off when the trolley I think is going east on Euclid instead turns north in front of the old BP Building. If GPS can tell us the next stop for riders inside the bus, why can't it tell us the next stop or next street to people waiting outside the bus. Of course, the obvious answer to me is to color code the bus destination sign which would correspond to the colors of markers along the route, such as utility pole banners, bus stop signs or even a colored line on the pavement.

B stands for "Business", E stands for "Entertainment" if I recall correctly, though I tend to just think of the E as standing for "Euclid" and B as standing for "Not Euclid".

B stands for "Business", E stands for "Entertainment" if I recall correctly, though I tend to just think of the E as standing for "Euclid" and B as standing for "Not Euclid".

 

Hahahhahah thats exactly how I think of it!

I seem to get on the wrong trolley on Public Square because I can't remember what route the B Line takes vs. the E Line. So a few times I've had to jump off when the trolley I think is going east on Euclid instead turns north in front of the old BP Building. If GPS can tell us the next stop for riders inside the bus, why can't it tell us the next stop or next street to people waiting outside the bus. Of course, the obvious answer to me is to color code the bus destination sign which would correspond to the colors of markers along the route, such as utility pole banners, bus stop signs or even a colored line on the pavement.

 

The signs for the trolleys are currently color coded.  Green for the E-Line, red for the B-line.  They are also colored as such on RTA's downtown map.  However the signs seem to be located pretty high on whatever pole they are attached to.  Ideally they would be more closer to 6-7 feet off the ground so they could easily be seen while walking. 

 

With the new trolley service RTA wants to introduce they were talking about including new and improved signs for all trolley routes.  Additionally, and I think this is most important, they were looking into using QR codes on the poles the signs are attached to.  Scan the code and it brings up a map and timetable for the stops.  I think this would be an amazing thing to use at all stops system wide.  Then any route changes could be immediatly posted to the embedded website as opposed to a physical map having to be replaced at all stops.