December 2, 201311 yr Are there security cameras in the Red Line stations? The reason I ask is that a friend was robbed at gunpoint in the West 117th Street station last night. Obviously, whatever cameras exist did not deter this crime, but perhaps they might be useful to help identify and catch the robbers. Can someone at RTA speak to this question? Thanks! He was inside the station?!
December 2, 201311 yr ^ RTA has the sixth largest law enforcement organization in Ohio with over 100 officers, yet they have almost no visible police presence outside of Tower City. I would like to see at least 10 of those officers patrolling the rapid stations, using the train to get from station to station. When I do see officers, they always seem to be in groups of at least 2. Maybe breaking them up and letting them patrol alone would be more effective. It would not necessarily be safe. Ever notice how if there are two officers and one is speaking to someone who might be a "suspect", the other stands well clear?
December 2, 201311 yr Author Are there security cameras in the Red Line stations? The reason I ask is that a friend was robbed at gunpoint in the West 117th Street station last night. Obviously, whatever cameras exist did not deter this crime, but perhaps they might be useful to help identify and catch the robbers. Can someone at RTA speak to this question? Thanks! Sorry to hear about this. That also affects me personally as I often use that station. While I do not work for GCRTA, I can answer part of your question: Yes there are cameras at that station. But there are more security cameras systemwide than there are eyes to watch them all in real-time. So instead, cameras are used after a crime has occurred to ID the suspect(s). "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 2, 201311 yr Are there security cameras in the Red Line stations? The reason I ask is that a friend was robbed at gunpoint in the West 117th Street station last night. Obviously, whatever cameras exist did not deter this crime, but perhaps they might be useful to help identify and catch the robbers. Can someone at RTA speak to this question? Thanks! He was inside the station?! I think stuff like that is pretty uncommon, but it does happen. I was physically assaulted at the University Circle station, and there was a somewhat high-profile beating of a transgendered woman at the W. 65th station a couple years ago.
December 2, 201311 yr ^ Sorry to hear about that. I'm at the W. 117th station pretty often, mostly at night, and haven't ever really thought twice about safety. I guess I was just shocked that that would happen - especially inside.
December 3, 201311 yr He was inside the station?! Unfortunately, from my understanding, yes. There were people all around but no one willing to intervene (understandable, given the circumstances). I would not expect cameras to be monitored in real time, but do hope they can be used after the fact to help identify and catch the perps. I am no stranger to crime in RTA stations and vehicles, although in my case most of it happened several decades ago as I used to ride much more regularly then, as opposed to only occasionally now.
December 3, 201311 yr Author I've witnessed a guy steal a purse and run from a HealthLine bus and then saw a teenage girl try to pickpocket a woman standing next to me on the HealthLine. Another female passenger pointed it out to me and I stopped the theft. The would-be thief retreated to the back of the bus with her friends/associates, one of whom came up to the front of the bus to walk by me, bump into me and then walk back to her seat. Not sure why, but I had my hand on my wallet the entire time. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 3, 201311 yr Author The other day, a friend visited from Cincinnati as he was considering moving up here to get his rail fix while staying in Ohio. Several times when we were around crowds of people getting on or off trains, he remarked "I can't believe I'm in Ohio." For those considering moving to Cleveland to get your rail fix, this is what you will find..... This is Shaker Square in #Cleveland where trains run every 5-15 mins to downtown: The new Red Line station coming to Little Italy... This is #Cleveland @Amtrak station (on the Waterfront Line) where ridership grew 38% in last five years! This is @GCRTA rebuilt Red Line from the station in #CLE Airport's main terminal. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 3, 201311 yr Yes, there are security camera in Red Line stations, and on all rail cars. By Dec. 31, there will be security cameras on all buses, except a few that are taken out of service in 2014. The cameras have proven to be very effective in helping Transit Police deter crime and ID criminals. Staying awake and alert are critical to your safety. I recently had an issue on the Red Line and I had to ask 3 passengers if a bag left alone was theirs. In each case, their ear phones were in and their eyes were closed. I had to physically touch each person on the shoulder to get their attention. That's not a good sign.
December 3, 201311 yr Heavy-rail overhaul: You will see something by the end of the month. An event is being planned. Little Italy-University Circle Station: The first step is demolishing a RR bridge, and that will be started soon.
December 3, 201311 yr Q: Do you know when the Cedar University Rapid station will be finished. Based on the 24-month timeline, it would be September 2014, but I believe that is for the entire project, which also includes the new bus stations to replace the loop. Will the train station open before that and do you know if construction is ahead of schedule? A: One should never speculate this far along. Winter is just starting, and its severity could easily affect construction progress. I can tell you that generally speaking, we are happy with progress to date. Q: For the RTA guys, does RTA plan to upgrade the pedestrian route under the Mayfield bridges like they are doing with the Cedar bridges? A: Yes, those plans have already been approved.
December 3, 201311 yr Heavy-rail overhaul: You will see something by the end of the month. An event is being planned. Little Italy-University Circle Station: The first step is demolishing a RR bridge, and that will be started soon. For the heavy-rail overhaul is the event to show the new refurbished rail cars?
December 3, 201311 yr Author Thanks for the responses, Jerry. Please keep us posted on the heavy rail overhaul event. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 4, 201311 yr RTA adds service from Cleveland to work hubs in Solon and Steelyard Commons CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority tweaks its bus and train schedules and routes every quarter, routine housekeeping aimed at improving service. But several changes reviewed Tuesday by RTA's operations committee suggest something a bit out of the ordinary for Cuyahoga County's bus system. RTA is preparing to strengthen routes linking northeastern parts of the county with Solon and the Steelyard Commons shopping complex. http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/12/rta_adding_more_service_from_n.html#incart_river_default
December 4, 201311 yr RTA adds service from Cleveland to work hubs in Solon and Steelyard Commons CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority tweaks its bus and train schedules and routes every quarter, routine housekeeping aimed at improving service. But several changes reviewed Tuesday by RTA's operations committee suggest something a bit out of the ordinary for Cuyahoga County's bus system. RTA is preparing to strengthen routes linking northeastern parts of the county with Solon and the Steelyard Commons shopping complex. http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/12/rta_adding_more_service_from_n.html#incart_river_default Very smart move, it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Solon is very strong industrially and there's no real reason why someone who lives on the east side should have to bounce off downtown to get there. I'd recommend something similar from a west side rapid station to Strongsville.
December 4, 201311 yr Jerry/JetDog The Brookpark station parking lot is currently 3/4 completely repaved. Is there a reason for the delay with the last 1/4? The Northwest portion is still a lunar landscape.
December 4, 201311 yr Author RTA adds service from Cleveland to work hubs in Solon and Steelyard Commons CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority tweaks its bus and train schedules and routes every quarter, routine housekeeping aimed at improving service. But several changes reviewed Tuesday by RTA's operations committee suggest something a bit out of the ordinary for Cuyahoga County's bus system. RTA is preparing to strengthen routes linking northeastern parts of the county with Solon and the Steelyard Commons shopping complex. http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/12/rta_adding_more_service_from_n.html#incart_river_default Very smart move, it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Solon is very strong industrially and there's no real reason why someone who lives on the east side should have to bounce off downtown to get there. I'd recommend something similar from a west side rapid station to Strongsville. I can tell you that the existing "reverse-commute" buses from Warrensville station out to Solon are so heavily used that, on some occasions, they have pass stops where people are waiting because another person cannot fit on board the bus. So it's good to see RTA adding extra service here. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 4, 201311 yr Q: The Brookpark station parking lot is 3/4 repaved. Is there a reason for the delay with the last 1/4? A: I just spoke with the Project Manager. Work for this year was completed in early November. The rest of the parking lot will remain unimproved (for now) because that is where the contractor will stage equipment while the station is fully renovated. If RTA paved all the lot, we would just to re-pave it after the renovation work was done. Although you CAN park on the unimproved portion, there is little reason to. I am told there are plenty of newly paved spaces available.
December 5, 201311 yr Q: The Brookpark station parking lot is 3/4 repaved. Is there a reason for the delay with the last 1/4? A: I just spoke with the Project Manager. Work for this year was completed in early November. The rest of the parking lot will remain unimproved (for now) because that is where the contractor will stage equipment while the station is fully renovated. If RTA paved all the lot, we would just to re-pave it after the renovation work was done. Although you CAN park on the unimproved portion, there is little reason to. I am told there are plenty of newly paved spaces available. Yes there are many, many improved spots. And I was hopeful that this would be the answer, but wanted to hear it from the horses mouth. Thanks for the quick response. Looking forward to the station renovation and cant wait for renderings to be produced.
December 5, 201311 yr RTA displays its first newly renovated Red Line rail car on from 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, through 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11,. in Tower City. All 40 Red Line cars are getting interior 'facelifts', in addition to recently completed exterior work. The budget of this project for interior is $3.5 million and will take about two years to complete. RTA employees handle all the work for this interior overhaul project . All materials used are Buy America compliant. Upgrades and new features LED lighting replaces previous fluorescent lighting Upgraded seat frames and seats New windows Interior panels refurbished and painted with materials from Cleveland's own Sherwin-Williams Flooring and sub-flooring replaced with fire retardant state-of-the-art flooring Additional ADA space for strollers, bicycles, shopping carts Updated graphics and signage This project is intended to extend the life of the rail fleet by 15 years. RTA's five-year mechanical overhaul of rail cars was completed in 2012, at a cost of $21.6 million.
December 5, 201311 yr Brookpark rendering has been on the Web site for some time in the Major Projects section.
December 5, 201311 yr ^Speaking of that page: I know it's extremely minor, but someone should probably correct the opening to the project description by adding ", other than Tower City" to the end of "This is RTA's highest ridership rail station." The factoid is stated correctly in the project background section but assuming it's easy to change text, no reason not to correct it in the opening too. Great news about the Red Line interior overhaul. I can't wait to see the new interiors in service.
December 5, 201311 yr A clarification on renovation of the Brookpark Station. The designs are complete. Work is scheduled to begin in 2015. RTA is seeking additional federal funds that will allow work to begin sooner.
December 6, 201311 yr This is #Cleveland @Amtrak station (on the Waterfront Line) where ridership grew 38% in last five years! This is @GCRTA rebuilt Red Line from the station in #CLE Airport's main terminal. I'm trying to figure out how you got a daytime Amtrak boarding shot in Cleveland; the large windows of the new convention center indicate that this shot was recent.
December 6, 201311 yr ^It must have really be late b/c (the 2 round-trip) trains are scheduled to come and go around 2 and 3a, in both directions... the latest is the Eastbound Lakeshore Limited to NY state scheduled to leave at 5:50a.
December 6, 201311 yr ^^btw, I've long thought the scene from Shaker Square with the midrise apartment overlooking Michael's Diner and the RTA station is the most attractive, urbanized TOD shot in the entire system.
December 6, 201311 yr A clarification on renovation of the Brookpark Station. The designs are complete. Work is scheduled to begin in 2015. RTA is seeking additional federal funds that will allow work to begin sooner. If they really wanted to, this station would make a lot of sense as a second (or third, one on the East Side) hub. Interesting effect on Google Maps. The wide zoom shows the Ford casting plant almost fully demolished, while the tight zoom shows it partially gone.
December 6, 201311 yr Jerry/JetDog The Brookpark station parkin Very smart move, it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Solon is very strong industrially and there's no real reason why someone who lives on the east side should have to bounce off downtown to get there. I'd recommend something similar from a west side rapid station to Strongsville. The 86 route starts at West Park, stops at Brookpark, and then passes close (but not quite all the way) to some of the industrial areas in and near Strongsville. Perhaps it could be extended on a trial basis?
December 6, 201311 yr Author ^It must have really be late b/c (the 2 round-trip) trains are scheduled to come and go around 2 and 3a, in both directions... the latest is the Eastbound Lakeshore Limited to NY state scheduled to leave at 5:50a. It is the latter train, as it is single-level equipment. Two of the trains that come in between 2-3 a.m. are double-decker trains. So in the middle of summer (when the photo was taken), the sun was up at 5:50 a.m. If you note, if the sun was higher/brighter, you would not be able to see inside the convention center or would the light at the right be bright enough to cast reflections on the train and tracks. ^^btw, I've long thought the scene from Shaker Square with the midrise apartment overlooking Michael's Diner and the RTA station is the most attractive, urbanized TOD shot in the entire system. Definitely. The Little Italy and Flats East Bank stations could equal that soon. Maybe even Warrensville, which will see its street grid built starting in 2014. But that fact that we can't count that many isn't good. I think GCRTA should devote more time and resources to partner with cities, CDCs, perhaps the port authority and others to clean up and consolidate properties around rail stations and provide incentives to developers to construct TOD-themed mixed use around those stations. In fact, I feel so strongly about this that I believe GCRTA should focus on strengthening this foundation before considering significant expansions of the rail system (I consider expansions costing $150 million or more to be significant). I think this should be worth pursuing to strengthen GCRTA's taxbase, enhance the utility of its rail system, increase the accessibility of jobs, shopping and services, and provide environmental benefits. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 6, 201311 yr RTA displays its first newly renovated Red Line rail car on from 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, through 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11,. in Tower City. All 40 Red Line cars are getting interior 'facelifts', in addition to recently completed exterior work. The budget of this project for interior is $3.5 million and will take about two years to complete. RTA employees handle all the work for this interior overhaul project . All materials used are Buy America compliant. Upgrades and new features LED lighting replaces previous fluorescent lighting Upgraded seat frames and seats New windows Interior panels refurbished and painted with materials from Cleveland's own Sherwin-Williams Flooring and sub-flooring replaced with fire retardant state-of-the-art flooring Additional ADA space for strollers, bicycles, shopping carts Updated graphics and signage This project is intended to extend the life of the rail fleet by 15 years. RTA's five-year mechanical overhaul of rail cars was completed in 2012, at a cost of $21.6 million. So you said the first newly renovated car, which means only one is done. How long will this process take?
December 6, 201311 yr RTA displays its first newly renovated Red Line rail car on from 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, through 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11,. in Tower City. All 40 Red Line cars are getting interior 'facelifts', in addition to recently completed exterior work. The budget of this project for interior is $3.5 million and will take about two years to complete. RTA employees handle all the work for this interior overhaul project . All materials used are Buy America compliant. Upgrades and new features LED lighting replaces previous fluorescent lighting Upgraded seat frames and seats New windows Interior panels refurbished and painted with materials from Cleveland's own Sherwin-Williams Flooring and sub-flooring replaced with fire retardant state-of-the-art flooring Additional ADA space for strollers, bicycles, shopping carts Updated graphics and signage This project is intended to extend the life of the rail fleet by 15 years. RTA's five-year mechanical overhaul of rail cars was completed in 2012, at a cost of $21.6 million. So you said the first newly renovated car, which means only one is done. How long will this process take? From Jerry's original post: "The budget of this project for interior is $3.5 million and will take about two years to complete."
December 6, 201311 yr RTA displays its first newly renovated Red Line rail car on from 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, through 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11,. in Tower City. All 40 Red Line cars are getting interior 'facelifts', in addition to recently completed exterior work. The budget of this project for interior is $3.5 million and will take about two years to complete. RTA employees handle all the work for this interior overhaul project . All materials used are Buy America compliant. Upgrades and new features LED lighting replaces previous fluorescent lighting Upgraded seat frames and seats New windows Interior panels refurbished and painted with materials from Cleveland's own Sherwin-Williams Flooring and sub-flooring replaced with fire retardant state-of-the-art flooring Additional ADA space for strollers, bicycles, shopping carts Updated graphics and signage This project is intended to extend the life of the rail fleet by 15 years. RTA's five-year mechanical overhaul of rail cars was completed in 2012, at a cost of $21.6 million. So you said the first newly renovated car, which means only one is done. How long will this process take? From Jerry's original post: "The budget of this project for interior is $3.5 million and will take about two years to complete." That's what I get for not reading lol
December 6, 201311 yr It is the latter train, as it is single-level equipment. Two of the trains that come in between 2-3 a.m. are double-decker trains. So in the middle of summer (when the photo was taken), the sun was up at 5:50 a.m. If you note, if the sun was higher/brighter, you would not be able to see inside the convention center or would the light at the right be bright enough to cast reflections on the train and tracks. Aha! Thanks for clarifying.
December 6, 201311 yr But that fact that we can't count that many isn't good. I think GCRTA should devote more time and resources to partner with cities, CDCs, perhaps the port authority and others to clean up and consolidate properties around rail stations and provide incentives to developers to construct TOD-themed mixed use around those stations. In fact, I feel so strongly about this that I believe GCRTA should focus on strengthening this foundation before considering significant expansions of the rail system (I consider expansions costing $150 million or more to be significant). I think this should be worth pursuing to strengthen GCRTA's taxbase, enhance the utility of its rail system, increase the accessibility of jobs, shopping and services, and provide environmental benefits. Absolutely.
December 9, 201311 yr http://www.riderta.com//news/dec-10-11-rta-unnveils-new-red-line-cars I look forward to seeing pictures tomorrow from you all that are in Cleveland!
December 10, 201311 yr Author After reading farther upthread about an armed robbery at the West 117th Red Line station, it is with sadness that I share this news of a murder during an armed robbery tonight at the West Park Red Line station... http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/west-park-rta-rapid-station-closed-due-to-deadly-shooting-investigation "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 10, 201311 yr Author In happier news, the first renovated Red Line car #199 is on public display today (Tuesday) and tomorrow at Tower City. Here are a fews pictures courtesy of a friend earlier this evening..... Similar color schemes and seats as in the light-rail trains used on the Blue and Green Lines..... Materials for the public displays temporarily kept in an area for standees, wheelchairs or bicycles..... Windows so clean and the Lexan coating so unblemished you can photograph through them! Floors so clean you can eat off them. OK, well..... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 10, 201311 yr In happier news, the first renovated Red Line car #199 is on public display today (Tuesday) and tomorrow at Tower City. Here are a fews pictures courtesy of a friend earlier this evening..... Similar color schemes and seats as in the light-rail trains used on the Blue and Green Lines..... Materials for the public displays temporarily kept in an area for standees, wheelchairs or bicycles..... Windows so clean and the Lexan coating so unblemished you can photograph through them! Floors so clean you can eat off them. OK, well..... I like what I see :clap:
December 10, 201311 yr Author More pictures....... The original 1984 Red Line car interior.... The renovated car on display today and tomorrow at Tower City station.... This will be your Red Line train interiors for the next 15 years.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 10, 201311 yr Thanks, KJP. Looks nice. Definitely a vast improvement and quite overdue. I was hoping for some digital signage inside the cars that could indicate upcoming stops though. Oh, well.
December 10, 201311 yr The old ugly brown seats are more comfy than the seats on the blue and green lines, but still an improvement. The windows were what needed replaced most IMO.
December 10, 201311 yr Interesting that they went with what appears to be a much brighter blue then the shaker lines, and definitely brighter than the healthline. Also they used blue seat back/bar instead of the grey on the other lines. Edit: I don't see them in the pictures, but did RTA add trashcans to the trains?
December 10, 201311 yr Thanks, KJP. Looks nice. Definitely a vast improvement and quite overdue. I was hoping for some digital signage inside the cars that could indicate upcoming stops though. Oh, well. I am really disappointed they didn't do this. Most of the times the operator announcements are unintelligible.
December 10, 201311 yr Thanks, KJP. Looks nice. Definitely a vast improvement and quite overdue. I was hoping for some digital signage inside the cars that could indicate upcoming stops though. Oh, well. I am really disappointed they didn't do this. Most of the times the operator announcements are unintelligible. Exactly. Except for those three stops on the east side of the Red Line that have automated messages. Not sure why they can't extend that along the whole line.
December 10, 201311 yr After reading farther upthread about an armed robbery at the West 117th Red Line station, it is with sadness that I share this news of a murder during an armed robbery tonight at the West Park Red Line station... http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/west-park-rta-rapid-station-closed-due-to-deadly-shooting-investigation Not that this provides much comfort, but I don't think the murder occurred at the station. Per the other reporting, it happened on Lorain, in the vicinity, and the station was closed during the investigation.
December 10, 201311 yr Terrible crime. You're correct Straphanger, the West Park station is set way back -- too far back to meaningfully interact with the street imho -- so that this atrocity was really a street crime. Unfortunately the "Rapid" aspect is played up in the article which I'm sure will further delight the transit naysayers and, maybe, scare a few folks away from the rails.
December 10, 201311 yr Thanks, KJP. Looks nice. Definitely a vast improvement and quite overdue. I was hoping for some digital signage inside the cars that could indicate upcoming stops though. Oh, well. I am really disappointed they didn't do this. Most of the times the operator announcements are unintelligible. Ditto. Digital signage is state of the art and all new car and most rehabs I've seen, have them. I wish RTA could have found the money somewhere to include this. We're in the Dark Ages on this level.
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