FYI for rail riders...

 

For today, 3/17 only, after 8:00am, Waterfront rail service will be suspended and replaced with shuttle buses. Also, shuttle buses will be supplementing Green Line rail service inbound this morning, making all stops between Green Rd. and Shaker Square, and then continuing downtown directly to Tower City.

 

As of 7:50am, the Green Line is experiencing approximately a 30 minute delay. Please plan your travels accordingly.

 

As of 8:15am, the Green Line is back on schedule. Shuttle buses are now in place as necessary to supplement the line.

 

12:15pm parking lot status:

 

West Park lot 50% full

Puritas lot full

Brookpark lot full

Triskett lot full

W 117 lot full

W 98 full

 

More updates will be posted here as they become available, as well as on the riderta.com home page (the top banner now displays multiple headlines in a rotating fashion, with links to more information as appropriate).

I've been hoping for awhile that RTA would hook up with Google Transit (http://www.google.com/transit), and was reminded of that wish today, seeing the Google Transit Earth Day Challenge (http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2008/03/google-transit-earth-day-challenge.html).

 

Of the reasons they list for doing so, I believe one of the most compelling (for GCRTA) is:

promoting transit as an alternative each time we show driving directions in an area where we have transit data.

 

I did some searching to see if this had been discussed up before, and found this message http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,14015.msg238720.html#msg238720 from JeTDoG.

 

Want to issue my support and ask if any progress has been made...

 

Thanks!

 

Jeff

egads, a first time poster, and someone who knows how to use the search function? That's unpossible!

 

Welcome Jeff!

I've been hoping for awhile that RTA would hook up with Google Transit (http://www.google.com/transit), and was reminded of that wish today, seeing the Google Transit Earth Day Challenge (http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2008/03/google-transit-earth-day-challenge.html).

 

Of the reasons they list for doing so, I believe one of the most compelling (for GCRTA) is:

promoting transit as an alternative each time we show driving directions in an area where we have transit data.

 

I did some searching to see if this had been discussed up before, and found this message http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,14015.msg238720.html#msg238720 from JeTDoG.

 

Want to issue my support and ask if any progress has been made...

 

Thanks!

 

Jeff

 

Thanks for your support Jeff, and welcome to the forums. I have a little bit to say, but not much. I was able to run a small test with our first export mode compliant with the Google Transit spec, and identified some missing fields in the output file. We have received and installed a new version of the export tool for our scheduling software, but I have not yet received another test data file from our scheduling department. Once I have that, and can integrate it with the shape file, I'll have more to report.

Thanks JeTDoG!

Kudos to RTA for properly preparing for St. Patty's day! (at least from a train riders' perspective)

 

I was prepared for the worst leaving work tonight and though there were a lot of revelers and they were (unsurprisingly) pretty loud, I was impressed with the number of RTA guys there keeping the peace, directing the crowd, handling them so that nobody got hurt but without interfering, just keeping things moving.  Great job!

Kudos to RTA for properly preparing for St. Patty's day! (at least from a train riders' perspective)

 

I was prepared for the worst leaving work tonight and though there were a lot of revelers and they were (unsurprisingly) pretty loud, I was impressed with the number of RTA guys there keeping the peace, directing the crowd, handling them so that nobody got hurt but without interfering, just keeping things moving.  Great job!

 

Thank you... it's good to hear when our efforts were recognized and acknowledged. I'm certain Jerry will communicate your words throughout our organization. Just to satisfy my own curiosity -- which rail line do you use, and between what stations?

^I get on the redline at Brookpark in the mornings and off at Tower City.  Repeat, backwards, at end of workday.

This story from the National League of Cities may interest you.

 

Transportation Expert Calls for Infrastructure Investment

 

by Laura Turner

 

The nation has essentially been living off investments in infrastructure made by our parents and grandparents and it is now our turn to invest for the future of our children and grandchildren, Steve Heminger, executive director of San Francisco’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission, told delegates at a general session during the Congressional City Conference.

Heminger, the sole local-level member on the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, which released its report in January, said the need for a stronger federal presence was clear.

 

The bipartisan commission was charged by Congress to craft a 50-year plan to repair and expand America’s highways, bridges and rail systems.

 

Greater use of rail to carry the increasing amount of freight and goods entering the country is a national priority, Heminger said as he highlighted the commission report.

 

When one thinks about cities and transportation, one thinks about traffic congestion, he said.

 

“If they are to continue to be the engines that rev our economy, we need to make sure those engines don’t have a lot of clogged valves,” he declared.

 

The commission found that little headway has been made in addressing the traffic accidents that are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of three and 33.

 

“The rate of fatalities we have on our highway system is a 9/11 every month,” Heminger said.

 

The federal project approval process, which can take as long as 10 years for transit projects, must be shortened.

 

The question is how to pay for all of this, he said.

 

“The short-term problem we face is that the federal highway trust fund has run out of gas,” he said, adding that it will go negative in the current budget year.

 

The commission suggested congestion pricing as a means to manage demand.

 

Among commission recommendations were to not reauthorize the SAFETEA-LU program in its current form. Rather, the program should be made mode-neutral, with a single pot of money that local officials can decide how best to use.

 

The panel also recommended replacing the current program’s 100 categories with 10 new programs that would focus on performance in key areas, such as energy security and connecting the nation’s smaller cities and towns.

 

The U.S. Department of Transportation should be restructured along mode-neutral functional lines.

 

The most far-reaching recommendation was to create a new independent national commission that would propose projects and services to Congress.

 

To address the large investment shortfall, the commission called for raising the federal fuel tax over a five-year period.

 

The last time the tax was raised, Heminger said, gasoline cost about a dollar per gallon. Now it costs about $3 per gallon, but none of the increase has gone to the people who pay the price.

 

 

"In an era of high fuel prices, can’t some of it be used to improve the roads and bridges for the people who are paying the price?" Heminger asked.

 

The commission also suggested federal user fees, such as a container fee for freight movement or a ticket tax for passenger rail.

 

The prohibition on levying tolls on interstate highways should be lifted, giving state and local officials the ability to experiment with strategies to deal with congestion in urban areas.

 

Most of the interstate system is owned by the states and they are currently free to sell it off. The commission felt such public-private partnerships should be restricted.

 

“Our challenge, like our parents and grandparents who invested in the infrastructure that we’re benefiting from, is that our turn has come to do the same thing for future generations in this country so that tomorrow we can have a strong transportation system that our nation deserves,” Heminger concluded.

 

good discussion over at BFD (Brewed Fresh Daily) on RTA - 67 comments and counting

 

ignore the title of this thread, it's the right one.  started as a discussion on the med-mart and evolved based on the second comment re: Clevelanders reluctance to walk.

 

http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2008/03/13/med-mart-deal-reached/

So I'm on the train platform with 5 other women this morning.  The train was sitting and had just closed their doors before we got to the platform but hesistated, so we all ran up and stood in front of the last set of doors on the last car and waited for them to open.  Instead, after standing there another few seconds, the train left.  We were all like, "oh, that's nice" to each other, shaking our heads, and I see a woman in RTA garb with a radio.  I said, "I don't think it's very nice to have the train pull away when we're all standing in front of the door."  And she goes, "that train was late, darlin'."  I responded, "It's still poor customer service and they didn't save any time by blowing us off and instead just made us mad. And I'm not your darlin'."  Then she walked away and was talking over her shoulder to me about how they can't wait for everyone who is running up the platform so I yelled back to her, "WE WEREN'T RUNNING UP THE PLATFORM, WE WERE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE DOORS.  HAVE A NICE DAY!"  Yes, I was a little upset.

 

And though you'd THINK that "running late" means they have to get that train out of the way because another one is right behind it, instead we all stood out in the cold for at least another 15 minutes and by that time, there were dozens of people cramming in at every stop because apparently they missed the train before us too.  I wish i'd have gotten the operator's name of the train that finally came.  She's just one of my favorites.  She refuses to say "doors closing" and dings the "door closing" bell WHILE PEOPLE ARE STANDING IN THE DOORWAY WAITING TO BOARD, then comes on the PA and yells "CLOSIN!" 

 

What a pleasant way to start the day.

I wasn't there, but RNR, up thread Jerry addressed the issues with late trains(buses).  I can't remember if it was The Pope or someone else who had an issue with a green line train.

 

Jerry mentioned something to the affect that if the train was late, waiting for a passenger only delays it further.  Granted, each situation is unique.  Not playing devil's advocate, but there could have been instructions to the train from the tower to take off prior to you actually getting to the platform.

 

Were you able to get the train numbers or that staff members name?  With that information maybe we can get both sides of the story.

I wasn't there, but RNR, up thread Jerry addressed the issues with late trains(buses).  I can't remember if it was The Pope or someone else who had an issue with a green line train.

 

Jerry mentioned something to the affect that if the train was late, waiting for a passenger only delays it further.  Granted, each situation is unique.  Not playing devil's advocate, but there could have been instructions to the train from the tower to take off prior to you actually getting to the platform.

 

Were you able to get the train numbers or that staff members name?  With that information maybe we can get both sides of the story.

 

Thanks.  I just don't see that an additional 4 seconds while we board is going to make all the difference, whereas it does p*ss off the customers who are left waiting. It's different if I'm still coming up the ramp, I don't expect them to wait, but when I'm standing in front of the doors?  Come on.  They can make that up on the journey.

 

I was too irritated to think about asking her name but she's there often, I'll see if I can find it out.

I understand, I too have been been caught on one side of Shaker Blvd. (because I "timed" getting to the train wrong) while a Green Line train is at Coventry and it pulls off just as I'm approaching the platform.

This is defiantly not limited to RTA, trains do this everywhere. I agree that there is some judgement involved though and in RNR case it may not have been good on the drivers part. I would just hate to see them wait for every lollie gagger -it would only get people in the mind set they can take their sweet time b/c the train or bus will wait.  I watch runners and screamers all day on w.25th and Lorain and the buses really are pretty good about stopping. This may be part of why they are so off schedule.

True.  I just felt it was clear that this woman with the radio told the driver to GO when we were standing perfectly still in front of the door.  It's not like we were running up the platform or whatever, and I think the nature of having "runners/screamers" is just part of public trans.

On the other hand, in the inclement weather last week, I had a bus driver stop for me when he saw me running up the side street waving my hand.  He passed through the intersection and I thought I was doomed, but he stopped on the other side and waited for me.  It took an extra 15 seconds and it made my evening that much better, since the next one would've been 40 minutes behind it.  I took the time to submit a comment via rideRTA.com, since I like to do so both with good reports and bad.

 

Different story, though...  About the new bus/rapid schedules.  We're in the midst of our second update in 3 months (the last one being in December), which is confusing enough in and of itself.  However, when the buses and rapid still have the "new" schedules from December in their schedule slots two days before the schedule changes, it adds even more confusion.  If I picked up a crisp, clean schedule on Friday, March 21, I'd expect it to be good on Monday, March 23rd.  There's no signage on these buses/trains to indicate that schedules will change over the weekend and maybe the changes aren't that significant, but it's still confusing, right?  There's also no mention of it on the website in the "recent" section of http://riderta.com/important_info.asp. 

 

I get calls at my office when RTA (and other various independent shuttles) aren't serving customers well, so I try to keep them in the loop.  It's not always easy to do this.

On the other hand, in the inclement weather last week, I had a bus driver stop for me when he saw me running up the side street waving my hand.  He passed through the intersection and I thought I was doomed, but he stopped on the other side and waited for me.  It took an extra 15 seconds and it made my evening that much better, since the next one would've been 40 minutes behind it.  I took the time to submit a comment via rideRTA.com, since I like to do so both with good reports and bad.

 

Different story, though...  About the new bus/rapid schedules.  We're in the midst of our second update in 3 months (the last one being in December), which is confusing enough in and of itself.  However, when the buses and rapid still have the "new" schedules from December in their schedule slots two days before the schedule changes, it adds even more confusion.  If I picked up a crisp, clean schedule on Friday, March 21, I'd expect it to be good on Monday, March 23rd.  There's no signage on these buses/trains to indicate that schedules will change over the weekend and maybe the changes aren't that significant, but it's still confusing, right?  There's also no mention of it on the website in the "recent" section of http://riderta.com/important_info.asp. 

 

I can respond to a couple of aspects of this. First off, thanks for submitting the compliment about your operator -- we like to hear about the good at least as much as the bad.

 

Now, onto the more substantive items you pointed out. Our schedules change quarterly as a matter of adjusting to varying passenger loads and the needs and feedback of our customer base. We are, in a sense, a living organism and need to adapt to our environment. Allowing a route to get "stale" leads to inefficient use of our resources, and is a disservice to our customers.

 

I agree that any bus or rapid that leaves the garage should have a decent supply of relevant new schedules within a fair span (a week or so) of the change occurring. Unfortunately, that somewhat falls under the "you can lead a horse to water..." mentality. Signage in the form of a Riders' Alert should have been posted on all vehicles. If you see specific vehicles (or stations) where this is not the case, please note the relevant details and let us know - we'll fix whatever's necessary to make it right.

 

The web site Important Info section is limited to only displaying the five most recent (by date) Riders' Alerts and Press Releases, and as you can tell, we've been rather busy lately, so the Press Release about the schedule change dropped off the bottom (it would be #7 as I write this). All schedule changes are announced as they are available in our semi-monthly e-news, with a link to the relevant press release, and the release is populated with links to the relevant schedules as they become available.

 

I strongly encourage any regular (or even not-so-regular) rider to sign up at http://www.riderta.com/e-news to recieve this communication. WE DO NOT sell this list or use it for anything but official communication, so I can assure you that no spam will result from it (I am the listmaster as well as the webmaster, so I can make that kind of statement with certainty :-) ). Also, the Maps & Schedules page (http://www.riderta.com/maps-schedules.asp, where you can also subscribe to the e-news... hint, hint) will always have the most up-to-date infromation available, so I strongly encourage you to add it to your favorites.

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

 

A copy of RTA's 2007 annual report has now been posted on-line. Enjoy.

I can respond to a couple of aspects of this. First off, thanks for submitting the compliment about your operator -- we like to hear about the good at least as much as the bad.

 

Now, onto the more substantive items you pointed out. Our schedules change quarterly as a matter of adjusting to varying passenger loads and the needs and feedback of our customer base. We are, in a sense, a living organism and need to adapt to our environment. Allowing a route to get "stale" leads to inefficient use of our resources, and is a disservice to our customers.

 

I agree that any bus or rapid that leaves the garage should have a decent supply of relevant new schedules within a fair span (a week or so) of the change occurring. Unfortunately, that somewhat falls under the "you can lead a horse to water..." mentality. Signage in the form of a Riders' Alert should have been posted on all vehicles. If you see specific vehicles (or stations) where this is not the case, please note the relevant details and let us know - we'll fix whatever's necessary to make it right.

 

The web site Important Info section is limited to only displaying the five most recent (by date) Riders' Alerts and Press Releases, and as you can tell, we've been rather busy lately, so the Press Release about the schedule change dropped off the bottom (it would be #7 as I write this). All schedule changes are announced as they are available in our semi-monthly e-news, with a link to the relevant press release, and the release is populated with links to the relevant schedules as they become available.

 

I strongly encourage any regular (or even not-so-regular) rider to sign up at http://www.riderta.com/e-news to recieve this communication. WE DO NOT sell this list or use it for anything but official communication, so I can assure you that no spam will result from it (I am the listmaster as well as the webmaster, so I can make that kind of statement with certainty :-) ). Also, the Maps & Schedules page (http://www.riderta.com/maps-schedules.asp, where you can also subscribe to the e-news... hint, hint) will always have the most up-to-date infromation available, so I strongly encourage you to add it to your favorites.

 

Jet, thanks as always for the response.  I am a subscriber to the e-news and part of my job (the one that I get paid for) involves me relaying RTA news to a more localized population via e-blasts and a website.  However, I'm thinking about the average daily rider who doesn't use the internet.  I paid close attention last week as I rode the buses and rails every day (yes, every day last week!) and didn't see any alerts on any vehicles.  No, I didn't keep track of coach numbers, but I can tell you that it was likely not just the vehicles I was on.  So, my point is still that more needs to be done.  I know it's a huge task, but there are a lot of people depending on this service!

Hey gang, I'm fiddling with an RTA-inspired blog. The idea is to create a "collective consciousness" about public transportation in Cleveland -- the good, the bad, the ugly, whatever. I want to make it not only stuff I find but stuff from other people in the area, including stories, videos, camera phone pix, etc.

 

Take a look and let me know what you think would be cool. I want to make it fun to read, rather than just a boring "I love public transportation" site. Sort of like "Overheard in NYC."

 

http://today-on-the-rta.blogspot.com/

If you can get content for it, I'd read it.  The video you posted reminded me why I don't dig St. Pat's day so much.

Jet, thanks as always for the response.  I am a subscriber to the e-news and part of my job (the one that I get paid for) involves me relaying RTA news to a more localized population via e-blasts and a website.  However, I'm thinking about the average daily rider who doesn't use the internet.  I paid close attention last week as I rode the buses and rails every day (yes, every day last week!) and didn't see any alerts on any vehicles.  No, I didn't keep track of coach numbers, but I can tell you that it was likely not just the vehicles I was on.  So, my point is still that more needs to be done.  I know it's a huge task, but there are a lot of people depending on this service!

 

We really do appreciate that you disseminate our information beyond your receipt -- every little bit helps.

 

I just spoke to one of the folks in our Marketing Department, and normal procedure for at least the last couple of quarterly changes is that we have been creating "car cards" (the large cardboard pieces that live in the upper reaches along the length of the buses and trains, along with the various paid ads) to communicate what routes are changing each quarter. The car cards are more durable and visible than the simple paper Riders' Alerts, and offer more real estate for the message.

 

Apparently this time around, due to delays in getting some of the changes finalized, those car cards were delivered late, and may not have made their way onto as many vehicles as they should have. I have communicated to Marketing that the lack of such information was noticed, and have received assurance from them that the next round of changes (in mid-June) will be more effectively communicated via ALL available channels.

 

You are well within your rights to take us to task if we are not getting you the information you need. Customers who don't have the information necessary to use our services don't typically stay customers for very long, and if we're not doing what we can to prevent that, then shame on us.

Someone asked me:

"Do you know what Joe Calabrese's position is on the Governor's 2-C/3-C proposal and the Ohio Hub? I've heard that Joe expressed some "concerns" about it at the recent NOACA meeting that included a presentation from ORDC on the subject. The only thing is that I didn't hear what those concerns were, if any."

 

Joe Calabrese wrote this answer. I am posting it here, because of possible (probable?) widespread interest in the topic.

----

 

I am a really big supporter of public transportation, including intercity rail, and yes,  I did express some concerns:

 

#1 - Before the State undertakes this endeavor, it should do what it can to improve funding to the 60 existing public transit systems in Ohio first. Nearly every transit system in Ohio has had to cut service and raise fares in recent years, largely due to the fact that State of Ohio funding to public transit has been reduced by 63% since 2002.  Compared to neighboring states of like population, the average State funding allocated to public transit is approximately $750 million, compared to Ohio's $16.3 million. This has led to service cuts of 33% in Akron and 25% in Youngstown, two of the hardest-hit agencies. Cleveland's cuts have been in the 5-7% range.

 

#2 - Viable urban public transit systems are very important to the success of the intercity system, because they will serve either the beginning and end of most intercity trips, or maybe both. You must be able to get to the rail station, and then from the rail station to your destination. More reasoning for better transit funding.

 

# 3 - The presentation (and the report) assumes that the Ohio intercity rail system will be profitable. Based upon what I know, this is highly unlikely, as the best transit systems/rail systems in the world only recover a percentage of their costs. I truly do not know of any that makes a profit, let alone a projected cost/benefit ratio of 1.56 as stated in the report. My comment at NOACA was that this report has to be "Bullet Proof" to be credible. Most (including me) would take serious exception with this pro-forma. I think it was also stated that this proforma does not include on-going maintenance costs. Who then will pay for them, which will be substantial.

 

# 4 - The presentation said that Ridership in Ohio would approach current AMTRAK ridership numbers.  I don't think that this passes the "Bullet-Proof" test either.

 

The bottom line is that if we are going to do this, we need to do it with our eyes open and with realistic and credible  facts. If there is no support for the project with the facts, it shouldn't be done. If we decide to move ahead with overly optimistic assumptions, it will only hurt this project, and hurt the reputation of all of public transportation, for years to come.

 

I am not saying that anyone tried to mislead, but after all the modeling is done, and the numbers are the numbers, we might want to do a reality check. If we still feel that these numbers are good numbers, we have a lot of educating to do. We should also look at the worst-case numbers as well, and have a contingency plan.

 

Joe Calabrese

Jerry, please post that at:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1414.0.html

Jerry,

Just wanted to offer a commendation about the annual report - a good mix of story telling, connections, information, and outlook.  Something that can be used as a responsible answer piece and marketing.  Great job to whomever worked on it.

Jerry,

Just wanted to offer a commendation about the annual report - a good mix of story telling, connections, information, and outlook.  Something that can be used as a responsible answer piece and marketing.  Great job to whomever worked on it.

 

Thanks.  I will pass along your comment to those who worked on it.

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/presentations/2008-03-04-LeeVanAken.pdf

 

Click to see a map and some early renderings.

----------

The RTA Board of Trustees has chosen the firm of Bialosky + Partners to design the new Lee/Van Aken Rapid Transit Station on the Blue Line in Shaker Heights. It will be ADA-compliant when it opens in late 2010.

 

The firm also designed the Highland Square Station at West 117th Street, which opened last year. About 20 percent of the cost will be shared by five DBE firms along with Parsons Brinkerhoff.

 

The estimated cost is $3.5 million. The new station will reflect traditional architecture found elsewhere in Shaker, combined with a more contemporary style.

 

RTA partnered with the City of Shaker Heights to develop a master plan for the station area, under NOACA’s Transit for Livable Communities Initiative. The planning process involved many stakeholder and community meetings to create the vision for the area. RTA received valuable insight on the amenities, look, style that the residents require in a new station. The plan was made part of RTA’s Request for Proposals for architectural services. RTA General Manager Joe Calabrese attended the Shaker City Council meeting when the plan was approved.

 

The RTA station is located on the Blue Line, at the intersection of Lee Road and Van Aken Boulevard, just north of Chagrin Boulevard. It is in the heart of the municipal center of Shaker Heights, adjacent to City Hall, the Public Library, Community Building and Senior Center and the newly redeveloped Shaker Towne Center.

 

The Lee/Van Aken station has the second highest ridership on the Blue Line. At 30 feet below grade, it is the only Blue Line station below street level. The new station will include elevators, a larger pedestrian/bus interface point and enhanced safety and security systems.

 

“RTA has enjoyed a very strong relationship of collaboration with the City of Shaker Heights,” says RTA’s Maribeth Feke, Director of Programming and Planning. “This plan was done as a joint effort to enhance the transit environment of the station, while encouraging supportive development in the adjacent neighborhood. This project is the first to proceed into design after an independent planning study.”

 

^ I like it. I'll blog about this tonight! :)

Ok now extend the line to the 271/480/422 interchange with a large parking lot and we're in business  :-D  :clap:

True.  And give me back my express train, but I know that aint ever gonna happen again!

Jerry,

 

comment + Q:  Lee-Van Aken station.  Much nicer design than the present dungeon, but I thought the station was to be shifted to the east side of Lee so as to present more TOD possibilities re Shaker's grand plan for the area.

 

Re the Red Line's new POP fare policy going into effect this summer, does RTA plan to shorten the Rapid's printed, off-peak schedules since w/ POP it can be expected that boarding and station dwell time should be radically reduced since train drivers will no longer engage in (extremely time wasting) fare collecting?

 

A web site addition of note:

 

RTA has started accepting applications for a new Management Development Program, which is focused on development of the future leaders of our organization through 26 months of rotational assignments in various functional areas. For more details, check out http://www.riderta.com/careers/mdp.asp.

 

 

Jerry,

 

comment + Q:  Lee-Van Aken station.  Much nicer design than the present dungeon, but I thought the station was to be shifted to the east side of Lee so as to present more TOD possibilities re Shaker's grand plan for the area.

 

 

I was thinking the same thing.

Ok now extend the line to the 271/480/422 interchange with a large parking lot and we're in business  :-D  :clap:

 

If it takes an Andy Dufrene, 1 letter a week to the government requesting funds, type campaign for this to happen, I'll start writing right now.

<<comment...Lee-Van Aken station.  Much nicer design than the present dungeon, but I thought the station was to be shifted to the east side of Lee so as to present more TOD possibilities re Shaker's grand plan for the area.>>

 

I have asked our planning department to respond.

 

<<Re: the Red Line's new POP fare policy going into effect this summer, does RTA plan to shorten the Rapid's printed, off-peak schedules since w/ POP it can be expected that boarding and station dwell time should be radically reduced since train drivers will no longer engage in (extremely time wasting) fare collecting?>>

 

I have asked our Scheduling Department to respond.

 

Have you guys seen the transit hate in the comments on this PD article?

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/03/rta_cops_can_now_write_parking.html

Hate. Comments. cleveland.com

 

Sorry, are we supposed to shocked? ;-)

 

Welcome to the forum, btw.

Have you guys seen the transit hate in the comments on this PD article?

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/03/rta_cops_can_now_write_parking.html

 

Welcome to OU!  Cleveland.com forums=lowest common denominater.

OU? Suffering from a nip of lyzdexia, 3231?

 

Welcome to the forum, AMN. Don't be stranger. You'll find the Intelligence Quotient is quite a bit higher here than at Cleveland.com

Have you guys seen the transit hate in the comments on this PD article?

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/03/rta_cops_can_now_write_parking.html

 

AMN welcome.   :wave: :wave:

 

Most of here are cleveland.bomb "refugees".  I don't think any of us post there on a regular basis any longer.

 

I posted in the RTA thread today and that was the first time I'd posted on site in ages.  I just couldn't overlook the incorrect information.

OU? Suffering from a nip of lyzdexia, 3231?

 

:)

comment: Lee-Van Aken station. Much nicer design than the present dungeon, but I thought the station was to be shifted to the east side of Lee so as to present more TOD possibilities re Shaker's grand plan for the area.

I share this quote from RTA planner Maribeth Feke: "We looked at shifting it during the study. We will look at it again during design. However, the track grade changes under the bridge and begins to rise, creating difficulty in trying to berth a 3-car train."

FYI for anyone heading to the Indians opener from the west side, as of 1:55pm, Brookpark, W 117, and W 98 parking lots are full...

i dont see whats wrong with the current lee rd station

 

cant say im a fan of the new w. 117th station, it interacts less with the street than the old one

I don'it see whats wrong with the current Lee Road station.

The new station will be ADA-compliant.

<<Re: the Red Line's new proof-of-payment fare policy going into effect this summer (FALL). Does RTA plan to shorten the Rapid's printed, off-peak schedules since w/ POP it can be expected that boarding and station dwell time should be radically reduced since train drivers will no longer engage in fare collecting?>>

 

Our schedules department says: "We will look at the possibility of reducing running times after the fare policy is implemented and after we have collected sufficient run-time data."

 

Here's my quote from the UO luncheon I missed:

 

Man, I wish I could have been there....well, here's my story if it matters:

 

I boarded the Red Line at the University Circle stop at 11:45, which I then thought I may be a little late.  Once we reach the E. 55th stop (which took a painful 20min), we're told that RTA has annonced all rapids all shutting down due to a computer problem.  (JMasek...there's not a manual system as well?)  Soo... we're told to get off and wait for a shuttle bus.  After waiting a while, I decided it would be a good idea to try and catch the Cedar bus instead--I missed by one block (saw it drive past and just missed running after it) .  I then tried the number 6, got to an island, about E.60, I was skipped because I wasn't on the other side of the street??  At this point it was 12:40, so I decided to eat a good lunch at Gallucci's, which was delicious!

 

Sorry to everyone--I did try!

 

JMasek, what happened with the rapids today??

rideRTA.com says "All Rail Running Normal Schedules."  However, I don't know if that is an update to an earlier bulletin about the rail problem or if it is in relation to the other headline item about the Public Square detours & congestion.