^or LRT...

^or LRT...

I wish!....my question is when they do replace them will that choose a different company? These busses don't seem to hold up well to heavy usage.

 

^or LRT...

I wish!....my question is when they do replace them will that choose a different company? These busses don't seem to hold up well to heavy usage.

 

I think RTA helped designed them and Joe really loves them.

Quick heads-up esp. to RTA employees on UO:

I bought several 5-ride cards from RideRta.com some months ago. At least 2 of them had (1-1-2016) printed on them as an expiration date, but were actually encoded in the mag-stripe to expire the 1st of this year -- I confirmed this when an RTA driver read the coding on fair computer on the bus.

Mistakes happen of course, but I wanted to let you know.

Yes mistakes happen -- I meant "fare computer" but I hope it was also a "fair computer" :->

FYI: You can edit your messages by clicking "Modify"

Quick heads-up esp. to RTA employees on UO:

I bought several 5-ride cards from RideRta.com some months ago. At least 2 of them had (1-1-2016) printed on them as an expiration date, but were actually encoded in the mag-stripe to expire the 1st of this year -- I confirmed this when an RTA driver read the coding on fair computer on the bus.

Mistakes happen of course, but I wanted to let you know.

 

Do these cards have any kind of a sequence number or batch number on them? If so, let us know the number so that we can investigate further.

 

I also inquired directly with a member of our Revenue staff. In cases where the mag-encoded date differs from the printed date, we will (or should) honor the printed date on the card. To avoid further problems, cards with errant encode dates can be swapped out at Customer Service in Tower City.

17-year-old girl victim of attack on RTA Rapid

Posted: Mar 21, 2014 10:34 PM EDT

Updated: Mar 21, 2014 10:51 PM EDT

By Ed Gallek - email

 

CLEVELAND, OH -

 

We've learned of two more attacks on RTA riders, so we're asking questions about everyone's current safety. The latest incidents happened Monday, March 17, 2013.  A 17-year-old suburban girl is speaking out after surviving a horrific ride home on a RTA rapid train on St. Patrick's Day.  The girl had been to the parade downtown, and she was traveling home westbound. Suddenly, a day of fun turned terrifying when a teen grabbed for her phone.

 

"I was just screaming. I was just screaming, Somebody help me," says the girl.

 

He jumped at me and grabbed my phone, and natural reaction, I grabbed it back. And when I jerked back, he grabbed me around the neck and threw me to the floor," she adds.

 

 

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/25043654/17-year-old-girl-victim-of-attack-on-rta-rapid

I've purchased a few 5 trip cards and I don't remember any of them having an expiration date printed on them.  In fact, the one I'm holding in my hand right now doesn't have an expiration date on it.  I had an issue right after New Years where my 5 trip card showed as expired when I tried to get on the bus, but the card had no expiration date printed on it so I had no idea that it was expired.  I purchase all of my fare cards from the Tower City machines if it makes a difference.

I've purchased a few 5 trip cards and I don't remember any of them having an expiration date printed on them.  In fact, the one I'm holding in my hand right now doesn't have an expiration date on it.  I had an issue right after New Years where my 5 trip card showed as expired when I tried to get on the bus, but the card had no expiration date printed on it so I had no idea that it was expired.  I purchase all of my fare cards from the Tower City machines if it makes a difference.

The experation date should be on the top on the back above any stamps if it's anything like mine.

Most of my fare cards I've bought for future travel include an expiration on them as well. I think my last one had an expiration that was something like Dec. 31, 2015. I don't remember the month and day, but I'm pretty sure the year was 2015.

Thanks for everyone's interest.

JetDog -- down in the bottom right of the upper/printed side, it's stamped "593217" -- is that the batch number or anything else that helps?

 

For the first time ever this morning my green line train had automated announcements explaining the weekend bus service due to the ODOT construction. From Green Rd. to Downtown I think the announcement played about three times periodically between stops. It's a simple thing but these are the kinds of things that make RTA look much more organized and prepared. I was impressed

Cool plan for the vacant lot next to the Blue/Green E. 79th St. Station. Definitely would improve the feel of the surroundings when you stop there.

 

http://www.bbcdevelopment.org/2014/04/see-whats-envisioned-for-e-79th-st/

 

^My only criticism is that the steps up to the platform should be a ramp instead. Why not make it easier for RTA upgrade the station to ADA compliance when we all know the station is going to need a ramp eventually anyway?

^I'm guessing the budget for this Burten, Bell, Carr project wouldn't come close to covering an ADA accessible ramp (design and construction), but yeah, would have been a good opportunity for RTA to join in and get it all done at once.

 

This is project is pretty great, overall.  Improves pedestrian access to the rapid stop from Garden Valley as well as the view from the rapid. Awesome use of a small grant.

^The hill down into the park isn't as high as the hill down to the underpass and I don't think a ramp would be much more expensive than the steps.

RTA really dropped the ball on Earth Day today. They advertised free bus service to and from Earth Day from the Brookpark RTA station. They had exactly ONE shuttle bus to take care of approximately 250 (a quote from one if the Earth Day organizers) riders. We waited 45 minutes to get picked up after the event and we were the lucky ones. There were still 20-30 people that had to wait 45 minutes for the shuttle to return. This would have been a great event to promote public transportation and RTA couldn't have done a worse job. Did they not anticipate a good turnout based on the weather. I'm a big proponent of public transportation but even I won't be taking the train again if we decide to go next year. It's just not worth it. If anyone knows whose job it is to organize events like this, I'll be happy to send them a note.

RTA really dropped the ball on Earth Day today. They advertised free bus service to and from Earth Day from the Brookpark RTA station. They had exactly ONE shuttle bus to take care of approximately 250 (a quote from one if the Earth Day organizers) riders. We waited 45 minutes to get picked up after the event and we were the lucky ones. There were still 20-30 people that had to wait 45 minutes for the shuttle to return. This would have been a great event to promote public transportation and RTA couldn't have done a worse job. Did they not anticipate a good turnout based on the weather. I'm a big proponent of public transportation but even I won't be taking the train again if we decide to go next year. It's just not worth it. If anyone knows whose job it is to organize events like this, I'll be happy to send them a note.

 

Who decided to hold "Earth Day" a week early? 

 

The zoo event on 4/26 will be their chance to shine, or fall down publically and miserably.

March Ridership report:

* Because of bad weather and school closings, ridership is down on most modes

* March ridership was down 2 percent

* St. Patrick's Day ridershp was one-half what it was in 2013

* Trolley ridership up 37 percent, to an average daily ridership of more than 6,500

stpats44113 -- Let me correct the facts. You are aiming your message in the wrong direction.

 

The shuttle was provided by Earth Day, not RTA. Any concerns should be sent to the Earth Day Coalition.

This morning, the RTA Board awarded a $5.4 million reconstruction of the Lee-Van Aken Station. More details to follow.

This morning, the RTA Board awarded a $5.4 million reconstruction of the Lee-Van Aken Station. More details to follow.

 

Excellent!

stpats44113 -- Let me correct the facts. You are aiming your message in the wrong direction.

 

The shuttle was provided by Earth Day, not RTA. Any concerns should be sent to the Earth Day Coalition.

 

Wow 1/2 the ridership on St Pats.  Can't be just the weather difference, can it?

^It was also on a Sunday in 2013.

^Yeah, the 2014 weather has been a deal-breaker in terms of ridership numbers.  But I think they'll bump back up cause it'll be a banner summer downtown, esp with the Gay Games arriving in August. 

stpats44113 -- Let me correct the facts. You are aiming your message in the wrong direction.

 

The shuttle was provided by Earth Day, not RTA. Any concerns should be sent to the Earth Day Coalition.

 

Wow 1/2 the ridership on St Pats.  Can't be just the weather difference, can it?

 

I was in the parade the weather was very unpleasant.

Rode a new red line car today- looks great, also the red line cars now have the same LED bar but in red lights obviously to indicate the line. Nice touch!

Rode a new red line car today- looks great, also the red line cars now have the same LED bar but in red lights obviously to indicate the line. Nice touch!

Still wish they would have installed scrolling LED signs like the healthlines have.

Still wish they would have installed scrolling LED signs like the healthlines have.

 

Yeah, RTA really missed the boat on that one.  All other transit systems, either with their new cars or on older-car rehabs like ours, have added scrolling LED signs.  And in Cleveland it is especially needed given that RTA's robotic GPS-computer voice station calls don't work half the time, which leaves passengers at the mercy of drivers who either don't make station announcements, mumble when they do or have their sound systems so screwed up you can't decipher them even when they speak clearly. 

 

Still wish they would have installed scrolling LED signs like the healthlines have.

 

Yeah, RTA really missed the boat on that one.  All other transit systems, either with their new cars or on older-car rehabs like ours, have added scrolling LED signs.  And in Cleveland it is especially needed given that RTA's robotic GPS-computer voice station calls don't work half the time, which leaves passengers at the mercy of drivers who either don't make station announcements, mumble when they do or have their sound systems so screwed up you can't decipher them even when they speak clearly.

 

Yeah, I rode a train from the airport to tower city two weeks ago and there wasn't a single stop announcement.

 

The trolleys are just as bad, if not worse. Occasionally the E-line will start announcing stops for the B-Line or L-line. I've had to help out-of-towners a few times who started panicking because they thought they were on the wrong trolley.

 

Hopefully the announcement situation gets better, or they just start adding in scrolling signs.

Rode a new red line car today- looks great, also the red line cars now have the same LED bar but in red lights obviously to indicate the line. Nice touch!

Still wish they would have installed scrolling LED signs like the healthlines have.

Half the time they don't work on the Healthline.

Rode a new red line car today- looks great, also the red line cars now have the same LED bar but in red lights obviously to indicate the line. Nice touch!

 

Does anyone know when all the cars will be finished with their update? Took the rapid to the West Side Market this past weekend and also to an Indians game and I was hoping I'd get lucky and get on one of the new cars - no such luck! I certainly can't wait - that brown/orange interior can't die fast enough...

Does anyone know when all the cars will be finished with their update? Took the rapid to the West Side Market this past weekend and also to an Indians game and I was hoping I'd get lucky and get on one of the new cars - no such luck! I certainly can't wait - that brown/orange interior can't die fast enough...

 

Welcome, cleveman86!

 

A Google search produced this official announcement on the Red Line car rehab project......

 

http://www.riderta.com/news/dec-10-11-rta-unveils-new-red-line-cars

 

The answer? Two years. Forty of the 60 cars are getting a "mid-life" refurbishment in-house, at Central Rail off East 55th. Note that GCRTA has 60 Red Line cars built by Tokyu in 1984. The press release makes it sound like GCRTA has only 40 heavy-rail cars, not 60. I suspect the best 40 cars will be kept and other 20 cars will be scrapped, although some parts may be salvaged for re-use so GCRTA can put off a rail fleet replacement for as long as possible. Although a rail fleet should be replaced every 30 years and they're only now getting their mid-life rebuild. This may buy GCRTA another 10 years -- the time it takes to plan, finance, build and test a new rail fleet. In other words, GCRTA needs to start the process to replace its rail fleet NOW.

Another weekend total shutdown for all East Side rail service b/c of Innerbelt work.  ugh!

 

http://www.riderta.com/service-alerts/all-rail-riders-shuttle-buses-replace-east-side-rail-service-0

 

Ugh is right. I tweeted your comment without edition.

Another weekend total shutdown for all East Side rail service b/c of Innerbelt work.  ugh!

 

http://www.riderta.com/service-alerts/all-rail-riders-shuttle-buses-replace-east-side-rail-service-0

 

 

Wonder how this will impact the (advocated) use of RTA for the free day at the Zoo tomorrow?

Wonder how this will impact the (advocated) use of RTA for the free day at the Zoo tomorrow?

 

Certainly not good for anyone East of Tower City, that's for sure... I sure wish RTA would come forth with a schedule to let the public know when these shutdowns are predicted to occur rather than these seemingly last minute, random announcements.  I also wish somebody from RTA (Jerry?  JetDog?) could explain why RTA has so many total shutdowns, esp on the East Side and why these ODOT moves can't be done at night to minimize these disruptions which are neither good for RTA riders nor downtown ... or other parts of the city. 

 

Is ODOT reimbursing RTA for the extra fuel and personnel costs for running shuttles every other weekend?

I want to remind posters that the RTA Web site -- www.rideRTA.com -- has a search button in the upper right hand of the home page. Many (some?) of the questions asked in this thread can easily be answered by using that function. Thanks.

<<Is ODOT reimbursing RTA for the extra fuel and personnel costs for running shuttles every other weekend?>>

 

I have not seen a cost breakdown, so I cannot answer your question, but please know that:

 

1). RTA and ODOT are partners in almost every major transit project -- from the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project to helping expand the three major Park-N-Ride lots on the West Side.

 

2). Both RTA and ODOT use public monies, that is, money that comes from the taxpayers.

 

3). Whenever there is a shutdown, RTA takes advantage of that to complete as much work as it can on related projects. It takes advantage of the downtime.

 

I realize that this does not exactly answer your question, but it may offer you some things to consider.

<<Wish RTA would come forth with a schedule to let the public know when these shutdowns are predicted to occur rather than these seemingly last minute, random announcements.>>

 

Certainly, ODOT has a master plan for construction, but any plan is affected byh changes you cannot predict. For example, ODOT's long-range construction plan MAY say they need to close down one weekend in September. Should they announce that now, and change it 2-3 times before that date? That would confuse our customers far too much. The final decision to close on a specific weekend is made closer to the date, so that it becomes a reality. RTA works with ODOT to find weekends that will have the least amount of impact on major special events, such as Opening Day and St. Patrick's Day.

 

<<Explain why RTA has so many total shutdowns, especially on the East Side and why these ODOT moves can't be done at night to minimize these disruptions.>>

I cannot speak for ODOT. The Innerbelt project is, by far, the largest transportation effort this region has ever seen. RTA's efforts right now include major work on two East Side rail stations -- Cedar-University and Little Italy-University Circle, so right now, the shutdowns may be more frequent than usual.

 

RTA regrets the inconvenience to all its customers. We appreciate your patience.

^Thanks for addressing my concerns, Jerry.

 

Question: I ride the Red Line once a week (2 total trips - 1 is eastbound, 1 is westbound) when I'm starting to work out of the downtown office once a week and thought that a 5ride pass would be the easiest way to ride instead of having to buy an all day pass every time.

 

However, after I validated the pass last week and used a ride, I was unable to go through the turnstiles this morning. The problem, I was told by an RTA worker, is that I still needed to validate the pass each time at the separate farepass purchasing station.

Is this true? If this current policy, could you explain a little more why and how RTA believes this is the most efficient way to sell 5 ride passes? 

 

Can I buy the 5ride passes that were similar to those that I had in used in high school (early 00s), where I could buy it in advance, and then swipe it with the time-stamp at point of departure (for bus) so it would expire 2.5 hours and have no expiration. 

 

^ Having a 5-ride pass in your pocket is kind of like having a $5 bill in your wallet. If you took some merchandise off the shelf and walked out the door, a clerk may stop you. You could show her the $5 bill from your wallet, but that only shows you have money to pay for the item -- it does not mean you spent it.

 

You buy a 5-ride ticket and keep it in your wallet. Each time you board the Rapid, take 5 seconds, or less, to insert the fare card and remove one ride.  A fare card needs a validation to be legal. Otherwise, you could take 17 rides and pay for just 5. (I know you would not do that...but some people might.)

 

^ Having a 5-ride pass in your pocket is kind of like having a $5 bill in your wallet. If you took some merchandise off the shelf and walked out the door, a clerk may stop you. You could show her the $5 bill from your wallet, but that only shows you have money to pay for the item -- it does not mean you spent it.

 

You buy a 5-ride ticket and keep it in your wallet. Each time you board the Rapid, take 5 seconds, or less, to insert the fare card and remove one ride.  A fare card needs a validation to be legal. Otherwise, you could take 17 rides and pay for just 5. (I know you would not do that...but some people might.)

 

 

thanks, jerry for the response. To clarify, do I validate it then before I go through the turnstiles at my departing station (w25th/WSM) at the machine where I'd also buy my all-day or 1 ride pass?

I agree it's confusing --in the rest of the world the swipe at the turnstyle is the validation/fare deduction. I guess it's only an issue at Tower City, though-- that's the only one with turnstiles, right?  And I guess the turnstile doesn't really do anything except verify you qualify to be in the controlled fare zone.

 

FYI, I think you can validate a pass or 5-card trip either in a fare machine or in a stand-alone validation machine that may be present in some stations.

^ Yes, you have to validate the pass before you get the platform...before you leave.

I was recently out of town and noticed that on the buses, people inserted their tickets or money at two areas about one third of the way back from the bus. I thought this was an efficient way to do it because the passengers weren't all crowded around the driver but the driver could still keep an eye on the passengers by looking in the mirror and seeing that they were putting in their fare. Also having two areas to swipe the passes - one on either side of the bus - moved people along inside the bus more quickly.  The driver had a clearer view of the traffic. I wonder if RTA has considered doing this. 

I'm noticing a lot of the normal (non-articulated) buses being placed in service on the healthline route lately. Is this due to not having enough vehicles to meet demand, or are there just too many of the BRT vehicles out for repairs right now?