Work has just begun on a $1.97 million project to rehab the Abbey Avenue bridge over the Red Line tracks at the West 25th Street Station in Ohio City. The bridge was built in 1926.

 

Work will include a new bridge deck, new sidewalks, and improvements to the substructure. During 14 months of construction, the road will be closed, but the rail station will remain open.

 

The RTA Board awarded the contract to the Schirmer Construction Co. in August. A notice to proceed was issued in late October. At least 17 percent of the work will be split amount five Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs).

 

RTA owns and maintains 47 bridge crossings.

Ouch - that's gonna divert a lot of traffic onto Franklin and Columbus; and Franklin's not looking so hot lately (lots of slippage/cracks). I mean, I know there's no good time to do stuff like this but I hope the pavement on Franklin holds up.

The weather is starting to turn bad, so let's talk about bus shelters.

 

RTA maintains more than 1,600 shelters. Damaged ones are replaced as needed. New ones are added as ridership grows.

 

In August, the RTA Board awarded a contract for $172,000 to Brasco International, to manufacture 40 new shelters for RTA. A notice to proceed was given last week. Delivery is expected by Dec. 31. About 80 percent of the work is federally funded. These will be the same design as RTA's current shelters, but they will definitely look newer.

 

When reporting a damaged shelter, please give the ID code, a 3- or 4-digit number in white lettering on the outside panels. Thanks.

Re: Shelters

 

Does RTA have many combined shelters and newsstand/coffee shops?  Seems like a good idea in transfer stations and other busy shelters.  Would allow for a more comfortable station and a permanent presence that could enhance safety at the station.

Or this, designed by Cemusa (http://www.cemusa.com/web/en/index.aspx):

 

 

NYC: Mayor Bloomberg unveiled the first new bus shelter from the billion-dollar street furniture contract with Cemusa. The shelter, located at Queens Boulevard and 82nd Avenue, is made out of stainless-steel and tempered glass (both the walls and the roof) and was designed by Grimshaw Architects. Some more details from Cemusa:

 

- Each bus shelter will include bench seating. The bench is vandal-resistant and designed to prevent reclining.

- The bus shelters display the name of the bus stop in prominent letters that can be read by approaching passengers. An illuminated interior side panel will display customer service information such as bus route maps.

- The design of the bus shelter ensures meaningful protection from the elements. Specifically designed to prevent any blind spots, the bus shelter provides excellent visibility for added security.

- The components of each bus shelter are made from recyclable materials that are free from pollutants and will have minimal impact on the environment.

 

Pittsburgh & Oakland have similar structures with lit elements and more prominent rider information.

 

I also understand that there are a number of cities in the U.S. that have been able to form lucrative partnerships with marketing companies who will pay for street furniture/amenities in exchange for exclusive rights to the advertising revenues.  I don't know if this presents a conflict for RTA or if it has been explored already, but I think the new video monitors in the rail cars & silver line is taking advantage of this type of partnership.  Correct me if I'm wrong!

Does RTA have many combined shelters and newsstand/coffee shops? Seems like a good idea in transfer stations and other busy shelters. Would allow for a more comfortable station and a permanent presence that could enhance safety at the station.

 

Thanks for the comment. You seem to mix the terms "shelter" and "station". Let's make sure we are on the same page.

 

From smallest to largest, RTA operates:

 

8,500 bus stops, signs on poles, indicating the bus stops there.

 

1,600 shelters, small covered stands, usually at busy intersections. There is usually only enough room for 3-6 people to sit.

 

11 transit centers and/or park-n-ride lots, usually one building and a huge parking lot. Serivce is often rush-hour only.

 

18 heavy-rail Rapid stations, 34 light-rail Rapid stations. Other stations will be located along Euclid Avenue, on the BRT line.

 

There is a new food concession at the Windermere Rapid Station. RTA is seeking concessionaires at some of the other Rapid stations where a sufficient amount of foot traffic would support them.

 

 

Pittsburgh & Oakland have similar structures with lit elements and more prominent rider information.

 

I also understand that there are a number of cities in the U.S. that have been able to form lucrative partnerships with marketing companies who will pay for street furniture/amenities in exchange for exclusive rights to the advertising revenues.  I don't know if this presents a conflict for RTA or if it has been explored already, but I think the new video monitors in the rail cars & Silver Line is taking advantage of this type of partnership.  Correct me if I'm wrong!

 

RTA and members of its Citizens Advisory Board are continuing to explore new ideas that would increase the attractiveness of the Transit-Waiting Environment, or TWE. In June 2004, RTA and KSU produced this "idea book", and work continues on a pilot project. There is not much more I can say at this point.

 

http://www.cudc.kent.edu/d-Service-Learning/PDFs/TWE%20screen%20short.pdf

Maybe it's ignorance, but working on E. 9th (One Cleveland Center), looking out the window at the E. 9th street waterfront line rapid stop, it doesn't seem like many businesspeople from Cleveland Center, Erie View, IMG, etc use it.  Am I correct in this assumption?

In August, the RTA Board awarded a contract for $172,000 to Brasco International, to manufacture 40 new shelters for RTA. A notice to proceed was given last week. Delivery is expected by Dec. 31. About 80 percent of the work is federally funded. These will be the same design as RTA's current shelters, but they will definitely look newer.

 

do you know when the new bus shelters in the downtown transit zone will be installed?  i had heard that they were going to be the same style as the one in crocker park, and would be painted silver - offering a different (better?) product in the downtown transit zone.  they were supposedly different than the standard brown shelters, but i haven't seen any of them yet and there isn't anything on the website about them.

Working on E. 9th (One Cleveland Center), looking out the window at the North Coast Harbor station (E. 9th St. Waterfront line stop), it doesn't seem like many businesspeople from Cleveland Center, Erie View, IMG, etc. use it. Am I correct in this assumption?

 

I do not know the exact origin of the riders. I think a lot depends on what time you leave work, and what your final destination is. If you are going to Shaker Square, then boarding at that station means you do not have to transfer, and I know people at City Hall who do that all the time. Many people in those buildings you mentioned may have opted to use the B-Line trolley, which serves East 12th Street and Lakeside Avenue with 10-minute frequency, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Ridership on the trolleys is growing steadily, and is now more than 4,000 on many days.

 

When will the new bus shelters in the downtown transit zone will be installed? I had heard that they were going to be the same style as the one in Crocker Park, and would be painted silver - offering a different (better?) product in the downtown transit zone. They were supposedly different than the standard brown shelters.

 

You heard correctly. Next year, more than 40 shelters will be placed in the transit zone along Superior and St. Clair avenues, basically in the same areas where there are bus-only lanes. Yes, they will look like the shelter in Crocker Park, which is very attractive (in my opinion). Thanks for asking.

Has there been any talks with the Flats East Bank development people (Wolstien) about incorporating the waterfront line into the development?  Or has there been any internal discussions about a "relaunch" of the line when the development opens?

An update on the former Brooklyn bus garage:

 

In August, the RTA Board hired Precision Pump Inc. of Cleveland to remove eight underground storage tanks, as required by law, for $55,800. That work should be completed within two weeks. The removal helps prepare the garage for other uses. The next step is to remodel the building to accommodate the fledgling Senior Transportation Connection (STC). Their headquarters and dispatch center are moving there. This is great news for agencies involved in senior transportation issues. A lot of people on this list do not qualify now, but don't worry...some day you will.

Has there been any talks with the Flats East Bank development people (Wolstien) about incorporating the Waterfront Line into the development? Or has there been any internal discussions about a "relaunch" of the line when the development opens?

 

I am not aware of every internal discussion at RTA. I do know that the value of having a rail line directly serve the development appeals to the Wolsteins. The existing Waterfront Line is part of the planning process, and discussions continue. Stay tuned.

Here is the proposed text of new signs that will soon be placed at RTA rail stations. What is your opinion of the text? Does it cover the things you need to know before you take your bike on the rail? You can respond here or off-list until Friday, Nov. 9. Thanks.

-----

Bicycles are permitted on RTA trains (2 per car) whenever bicycles can be reasonably accommodated in designated locations at the operator’s discretion.

 

Bicycles (are) prohibited in the Avenue at Tower City. You can walk your bike while transferring to other Rapid Transit lines at Tower City.

 

To exit Tower City from the RTA rotunda, walk your bike to the elevator behind the Customer Service desk. Go to the M2 level, and walk your bike out to Public Square.

(end of sign text)

I thought they would be exiting out onto Prospect Avenue?  It's my understanding that no bikes are to be in the Avenue at all?  But hey if that's change that's great for me and every other bike/transit rider! 

That's good ... particularly helpful to know that you can in fact take your bike out of Tower City via the elevator ... I never knew that.

 

As a cyclist, my only question there would be by what criteria an operator would make the call on whether my bike could be reasonably accommodated. That information wouldn't need to be on the sign, per se, but since I've had a number of incidences where the decision to keep me from boarding appeared pretty arbitrary, I would want some relative assurance that I wouldn't be waiting in perpetuity for an operator who was "bike-friendly".

Tower City officials say they do not care which exit you use, as long as you proceed directly to an exit.

I would echo 8Shades's question, though I really don't know how else you could word the sign.  I guess the solution is to be as clear as possible with your operators so that riders will know what to expect.  Basically, if one operator just refuses to let bikes on during rush hour no matter what, then you've got a problem with consistency.

 

Also, if there will continue to be rules about sporting events (the biggest issue I've had thus far), then those should be posted as well.  This is where the tickers can really help, though I've found them to be pretty unreliable.

 

...and thanks for asking!

If there will continue to be rules about sporting events,then those should be posted as well. 

 

Sporting events are covered under the term "operator's discretion." Inbound trains before a Browns game are usually packed, outbound trains are not. We cannot make rules for every situation, so the operator decides. It is not a perfect world, but it is an improvement.

ok, so my suggestion would be that the RTA make use of their tickers to let riders know when congestion might be more of a problem.  I don't know if there's anyone programming them or if they're automated to the point that quick updates can't be run across the screen.  Basically, if someone's going to pay their fare and wait for a train to come that will accommodate them, then there should be a way to let them know via ticker that "Rider Alert: 1:00 Browns game today.  Cyclists be advised" or something to that effect before they spend their time and money.

 

Is this possible?

ok, so my suggestion would be that the RTA make use of their tickers to let riders know when congestion might be more of a problem.  I don't know if there's anyone programming them or if they're automated to the point that quick updates can't be run across the screen.  Basically, if someone's going to pay their fare and wait for a train to come that will accommodate them, then there should be a way to let them know via ticker that "Rider Alert: 1:00 Browns game today.  Cyclists be advised" or something to that effect before they spend their time and money. Is this possible?

 

I cannot answer that. I will pass along your suggestion, and I thank you for it.

JMasek... maybe you can find something out for me.  Over a year ago, I notified RTA of what seems to me to be both a potential liability problem and a customer service problem with the 86 bus.  RTA has done nothing that I can see to address this potential problem (for those who don't know, the 86 runs between Lakewood, the Brook Park RTS, and Sprague Road in Berea).

 

The problems are as follows:

 

The southbound bus makes a stop at the northwest corner of the 237 and Cargo/Eastland Road intersection  (I drive through this intersection daily).  All four corners of this intersection are marked "No Pedestrian Crossing".  Many people who work at the various industrial businesses on Eastland Road (between the NS tracks and Sheldon Rd) need this bus to get to/from work.  On some if it's runs, the 86 does go down Eastland to Sheldon, but the first two runs of the day, for example, it does not.  During these runs, the bus arrives at 237 and Cargo/Eastland at about 5:25 AM and 5:55 AM.  On many occasions I've seen anywhere from 2-7 people at the 5:55 stop have to cross 237 in the dark to get to their jobs on Eastland Road.  I've also seen people getting off the bus and crossing there at the ~5:25 AM time.

 

The reason I see this as a potential liability problem is because these people obviously need the bus to get to work, yet they have no choice but to illegally cross 237 to get to their jobs.  All four corners of the intersection are clearly marked "No Pedestrian Crossing".  RTA should run the first two buses of the day down Eastland-Sheldon like it does for the successive 4 runs. 

 

What's just as bad is that for the southbound buses that do go down Eastland to Sheldon, there are only two stops on Eastland:  one on the north side of the very busy NS tracks and one at the Eastland-Sheldon intersection.  Why can't the bus make a stop somewhere in the middle for these folks who are going to/from work?  It would make for better customer service at no real cost to RTA. I also see it as a potential liability to make people cross the busy tracks on these runs, not to mention walk much farther than is necessary along a heavily trafficked street with no sidewalks. 

 

In the afternoon, I also always see people waiting for the 86 on Rt 237 at various times in the afternoon.  These folks also have to walk along very busy Eastland and cross the NS tracks. 

 

I can't believe that the cost is anything but negligible to run a couple more buses each way per day along Sheldon/Eastland and to put a bus stop at a more convenient location along Eastland. 

 

Can you look into this and find out why RTA either never followed up or presumably decided not to make any changes?

 

 

 

Ok jmasek, I know this has been mentioned somewhere on this site but I'd like to hear an answer from the horse's mouth.  What in the hell is the beeping on the Red Line trains that alert the driver to slow down or come to a complete stop?  Never in my life have I been so frustrated on mass transit as I was yesterday when it took 11 minutes to get from the Tower City station to West 25th Street.  And the duration wasn't the most frustrating, it was the fact that we stopped, started, stopped, etc at least a dozen times on the viaduct.  I have been on transit systems around the world and I must say this is the most RIDICULOUS thing I have ever experienced.  Hands down.  What is up with this?

w28th, I can answer that. RTA has a cab-signal system on all of its rail lines. It was installed in the early 1990s after a couple of accidents in which one train rear-ended another train. I believe one of them was on the blind curve just west of the West 98th (now West Boulevard) station.

 

A cab signal system is interactive. It uses coded electrical signals in the rails picked up by the train's wheels and sent to the train operator's panel. It provides a visual and auditory alert when a train is entering a section of track (called a block) occupied by another train. A block can also be coded with a restricted speed signal if there are construction workers working on or next to that section of track, or if track conditions have deteriorated and demand a slow order.

 

If the operator doesn't slow the train enough in a block where a restricted-speed or stop signal code is active, the cab signal system will automatically slow or even stop the train for them. A beeping sound will be accompanied by the train suddenly slowing or stopping. If your train is following another too closely for a long distance, then the cab signal will kick in a lot.

 

I don't believe RTA has had a single accident like the ones in the late 1980s. But the cab signal system also caused scheduled trip times to lengthen by a few minutes over the entire 18-mile Red Line. And sometimes, when the train you're following is delayed, you'll be delayed as well because the cab signal system won't let your train get too close to it.

 

Hope that explains it.

Never in my life have I been so frustrated on mass transit as I was yesterday when it took 11 minutes to get from the Tower City station to West 25th Street.  And the duration wasn't the most frustrating, it was the fact that we stopped, started, stopped, etc at least a dozen times on the viaduct.  I have been on transit systems around the world and I must say this is the most RIDICULOUS thing I have ever experienced.  Hands down.  What is up with this?

 

So, I guess you have not rode the Chicago CTA in the past two years.

^^Thanks KJP.

^I have and didn't notice anything nearing the aggravation that was caused by the RTA's system.  If the train needs to stop because of the train ahead of it, just stop the train for a minute or so instead of stopping then accelerating for a few seconds, and then coming to a complete stop over and over again.  When standing on a crowded rush hour train it's a real pain in the ace.

probably 15% of the time the train will stop for at least 10 minutes per ride due to rail maintenance.  The Red and Blue subways run at less than half the speed they did just a couple of years ago....CTA trains are a big mess right now

So, I guess you have not rode the Chicago CTA in the past two years.

 

Oh dear god, I was so frustrated by that when I was in chicago. Especially it was the weekend and the red line was up in the loop, so from the loop on northward to say anywhere was 1mph the entire time.

The bad week for me and RTA continues.  I was planning on taking the rapid to Shaker Square Theater tonight for a 9:40 show, but since the last train leaves SS for TC at 11:40, I'll have to figure out some other way to get across the city.  Very convenient...

^dear diary.....

I know that's annoying, but the 25 runs every half-hour from Shaker Square through Downtown and Ohio City until 12:43 AM

...Yesterday...it took 11 minutes to get from the Tower City station to West 25th Street.  We stopped, started, stopped, etc. at least a dozen times on the viaduct.

 

KJP's answer is correct. I ride the rail daily, and there have been several instances lately where a train has stopped on the track, and other trains have to single-track around it. This causes delays, but the trains do keep running. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

The emotion in your letter reminds me of a phone call I received recently. A former co-worker (at another agency) verbally blasted RTA because her bus was late one morning. I checked, and the reason it was late was because, early in the run, a passenger had suffered a heart attack, and the operator waited for EMS to show up and transport him. When the caller learned this, she apologized for being so "over the top."

 

Things happen, and we react as best we can to provide service under sometimes less than ideal conditions. In my opinion, it is always best to keep emotions in check until the facts are known.

 

Thanks for asking.

...Yesterday...it took 11 minutes to get from the Tower City station to West 25th Street.  We stopped, started, stopped, etc. at least a dozen times on the viaduct.

 

KJP's answer is correct. I ride the rail daily, and there have been several instances lately where a train has stopped on the track, and other trains have to single-track around it. This causes delays, but the trains do keep running. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

The emotion in your letter reminds me of a phone call I received recently. A former co-worker (at another agency) verbally blasted RTA because her bus was late one morning. I checked, and the reason it was late was because, early in the run, a passenger had suffered a heart attack, and the operator waited for EMS to show up and transport him. When the caller learned this, she apologized for being so "over the top."

 

Things happen, and we react as best we can to provide service under sometimes less than ideal conditions. In my opinion, it is always best to keep emotions in check until the facts are known.

 

Thanks for asking.

 

Just ranting.  If it's the worst I have to deal with I'll consider myself lucky.

I know that's annoying, but the 25 runs every half-hour from Shaker Square through Downtown and Ohio City until 12:43 AM

 

That's probably what I'll end up doing.  I forget that the 25 goes all the way to Shaker Square.

...Yesterday...it took 11 minutes to get from the Tower City station to West 25th Street.  We stopped, started, stopped, etc. at least a dozen times on the viaduct.

 

KJP's answer is correct. I ride the rail daily, and there have been several instances lately where a train has stopped on the track, and other trains have to single-track around it. This causes delays, but the trains do keep running. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

The emotion in your letter reminds me of a phone call I received recently. A former co-worker (at another agency) verbally blasted RTA because her bus was late one morning. I checked, and the reason it was late was because, early in the run, a passenger had suffered a heart attack, and the operator waited for EMS to show up and transport him. When the caller learned this, she apologized for being so "over the top."

 

Things happen, and we react as best we can to provide service under sometimes less than ideal conditions. In my opinion, it is always best to keep emotions in check until the facts are known.

 

Thanks for asking.

 

this reminds me, the mta is ny has been making a big push lately to keep riders informed of the causes of delays. they have a few somewhat canned remarks like, "delays due to a sick passenger" that they make as things like this happen, but it really, really is appreciated and it goes a long way in calming down all of us restless passengers.

 

While working in London in 2006, I appreciated the (VERY!) frequent notifications and explanations of delays while on the the Tube, which is what happens when you have  a century old (and sometimes more) system and woefully inadequate, privately-conducted maintenance.

 

...Although hearing that there was a delay due to "a person under the train", which seemed happen at least once per week, always struck me as a bit of TMI!

Jmasek,

 

That's essentially what Edmonton Does with their LRT, if a bus is running anywhere in the NE section of the city, your  bus will be going through a LRT stop, and not continuing downtown. For a metro their size, they have a pretty impressive ridership.

 

 

Adding on, I never understood why the 7X runs downtown in the morning (limited), but does stop at the University Circle Rapid Station. I did some tests when I used to live in coventry, and there was no time difference (give or take 1 min) between taking the 7X all the way downtown OR getting off at University Circle, waiting for a Train and getting out downtown.

While working in London in 2006, I appreciated the (VERY!) frequent notifications and explanations of delays while on the the Tube, which is what happens when you have  a century old (and sometimes more) system and woefully inadequate, privately-conducted maintenance.

 

...Although hearing that there was a delay due to "a person under the train", which seemed happen at least once per week, always struck me as a bit of TMI!

 

yeah, they have some pretty weird idioms like that over there, i wish they would speak american - lol!

 

otoh, to be fair i'd imagine stuff like the mta's infamous slurred, "stanclearyaclosindoors" announcement baffle the brits over here in ny too.

 

What west-side bus routes will be affected by these changes? I'd be interested in writing an article outlining the proposal -- especially within the geographic area bounded by the Cuyahoga River, Brookpark Road/I-480, the Lorain County line and Lake Erie.

Jmasek,

 

That's essentially what Edmonton Does with their LRT, if a bus is running anywhere in the NE section of the city, your  bus will be going through a LRT stop, and not continuing downtown. For a metro their size, they have a pretty impressive ridership.

 

 

Adding on, I never understood why the 7X runs downtown in the morning (limited), but does stop at the University Circle Rapid Station. I did some tests when I used to live in coventry, and there was no time difference (give or take 1 min) between taking the 7X all the way downtown OR getting off at University Circle, waiting for a Train and getting out downtown.

 

I imagine one of the limitations RTA has to deal with when trying to structure routes around rail is the single downtown stop.  A one seat ride on a long bus ride is probably more appealing to folks who don't work near public square than a three seat ride (bus to rail to downtown trolley).

 

 

^yeah, but how many stops does the #7 (or any of the other "X" routes) have downtown?

^^ With a number of the eastern suburban routes, RTA could reroute riders to a Silver Line station in University Circle, which will give the people the option of numerous stops along the corridor in Midtown and downtown and still in 20 minutes.

^yeah, but how many stops does the #7 (or any of the other "X" routes) have downtown?

 

You're probably right, but surely all the bus lines that go downtown have other stops in the city more useful than the Red Line stops between UC and Tower City, no?  I'm not familiar enough with the routes to really know.

 

^^ With a number of the eastern suburban routes, RTA could reroute riders to a Silver Line station in University Circle, which will give the people the option of numerous stops along the corridor in Midtown and downtown and still in 20 minutes.

 

Definitely.  Maybe Jerry has some info on the projected integration of east side suburban bus routes with the Silver Line?

^Applause Mr. Calabrese  :clap: ... I've long been a critic of Cleveland's extensive bus/rail duplication.  This just makes sense.

<...info on the projected integration of East Side suburban bus routes with the Silver Line?>>

 

I am sure there will be some. However, that is still about a year away. Service Planning is now engineering some savings by "tweaking" routes, it will be announced today, with service changes planned for Dec. 16. Other modifications will be made quarterly, according to the regular RTA calendar. So, when the Silver Line is in full operation, we will look at savings in all cases.

Speaking of downtown trolleys, Rebecca on the B-Line (12:20ish, ID 100442 - I think) is just a downright pleasant operator. Even when some stupid gal blindly walked across Lakeside at East 9th (against the light), Rebecca took it all in stride. She was also very knowledgeable about the Avenue District, telling a rider who asked that "those are going to be nice condos; it's good to have some residential in the downtown, it's good for business."

downright pleasant?

 

what's next a dapper chipper young man?

Rebecca on the B-Line (12:20ish, ID 100442 - I think) is just a downright pleasant operator.

 

I agree, she's awesome.  I wish I had her attitude about my job.

downright pleasant?

 

what's next a dapper chipper young man?

 

Don't MAKE me get whimsical on yo @ss! :whip: