Some downtown businesses are closing early because of the water main break.

 

 

I wish mine was!  Seriously, good job RTA for responding to this problem so quickly.

RTA plans park-and-ride lots to make taking Rapid to airport easier

December 17, 2008 06:38AM

Karne Farkas / Cleveland Plain Dealer

 

In a few months, travelers who take the RTA rapid to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport may be able to leave their vehicles in a park-and-ride lot before hopping on the train.

 

.....

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/12/rta_plans_parkandride_lots_to.html

Only 300 people a day boarded the Red Line rapid in September, [kfa: best number available: ]and more than half were airport employees and those attending conventions.

Someone needs to tell this reporter to include that the 300 people were at the airport rapid station, I'm sure the Red line gets a lot more riders than 300 per day.

Someone needs to tell this reporter to include that the 300 people were at the airport rapid station, I'm sure the Red line gets a lot more riders than 300 per day.

 

The reporter knows. The error was made by copy editors. A correction is in the works.

Most copy editors are like TV newscast producers... they never leave the newsroom, don't understand much about anything that happens outside in the real world, play with words that too often change the meaning of an important story or lead to inaccuracies.... and then the reporter catches the heat.

Most copy editors are like TV newscast producers... they never leave the newsroom, don't understand much about anything that happens outside in the real world, play with words that too often change the meaning of an important story or lead to inaccuracies.... and then the reporter catches the heat.

 

I was a copy editor once...be nice.

I had hoped to learn about some forward thinking plans for northeast Ohio on this Forum but haven't seen anything after several months.  Should I be on some other website?  We need some planning for restoration of service like the interurbans between cities had in the 1930s until the cabal between the auto and oil companies succeeded in dismantling the interurban and streetcar lines in favor of gas powered buses.  Now that we need them where are they?  Toronto has our streetcars and is laughing at us.  The interurbans reached to Toledo (as well as other northwestern Ohio cities) and also connected to Detroit.

 

Rapid Transit hasn't grown since the expansion to the airport.  Where are the plans to expand west or east- or south?  Why does the east Rapid stop at Windermere?  It's like CTS is still running the show- not being able to go outside the boundaries of the city of Cleveland.  When is RTA going REGIONAL as its name implies?  We need light rail to Mentor (Blue Line extended thru Euclid and Willoughby), Lorain (along the old Nickel Plate right of way thru Lakewood, Rocky River, Bay Village and Avon Lake to catch commuters), Parma, Medina (thru Strongsville), a Red Line extension to North Olmsted (through to Elyria?), and through Brecksville to Akron.  We need leadership and lobbying on the state and federal level to get the funds.  Our state and federal legislators better wake up and start helping an enlightened RTA leadership (when it so becomes) before gasoline is a thing of the past.

I had hoped to learn about some forward thinking plans for northeast Ohio on this Forum but haven't seen anything after several months.  Should I be on some other website?  We need some planning for restoration of service like the interurbans between cities had in the 1930s until the cabal between the auto and oil companies succeeded in dismantling the interurban and streetcar lines in favor of gas powered buses.  Now that we need them where are they?  Toronto has our streetcars and is laughing at us.  The interurbans reached to Toledo (as well as other northwestern Ohio cities) and also connected to Detroit.

 

Rapid Transit hasn't grown since the expansion to the airport.  Where are the plans to expand west or east- or south?  Why does the east Rapid stop at Windermere?  It's like CTS is still running the show- not being able to go outside the boundaries of the city of Cleveland.  When is RTA going REGIONAL as its name implies?  We need light rail to Mentor, Lorain, Parma, Medina, North Olmsted (through to Elyria?), and Akron.  We need leadership and lobbying on the state and federal level to get the funds.  Our state and federal legislators better wake up and start helping an enlightened RTA leadership (when it so becomes) before gasoline is a thing of the past.

 

I think that is condescending.  Have you bothered to read ALL the discussion threads here on UrbanOhio?  If not, what you wrote can be deemed offensive. 

 

There are plenty of people here who are forward thinking and care about Cleveland.  Many members are apart of CDCs, city council or DIRECTLY involved in/on development projects.  If you think I'm "pouncing" on you, then you deserve it.  There are many people here that work hard to improve the city, county and region and I'll defend their honor each time.

 

Rapid Transit hasn't grown since the expansion to the airport.  Where are the plans to expand west or east- or south?  Why does the east Rapid stop at Windermere?  It's like CTS is still running the show- not being able to go outside the boundaries of the city of Cleveland.  When is RTA going REGIONAL as its name implies?  We need light rail to Mentor, Lorain, Parma, Medina, North Olmsted (through to Elyria?), and Akron.  We need leadership and lobbying on the state and federal level to get the funds.  Our state and federal legislators better wake up and start helping an enlightened RTA leadership (when it so becomes) before gasoline is a thing of the past.

 

And why hasn't rail transit grown??  You state the obvious and somethng we all know, but until the citizens of cuyahoga county approve funding and routes, no new rail will be built.  In addition, Ohio has cut public transportation funding to near nothing.

 

  Where are the plans to expand west or east- or south?   

 

Where is the funding coming from?

 

Why does the east Rapid stop at Windermere?  It's like CTS is still running the show- not being able to go outside the boundaries of the city of Cleveland.

This makes no sense.  If this was the case then the red line last stop would be E 120 street; the green line at Coventry and the Blue line at South Woodland.

 

Again, funding is the issue and what type of transit citizens of Cuyahoga County want.

 

  When is RTA going REGIONAL as its name implies?  We need light rail to Mentor, Lorain, Parma, Medina, North Olmsted (through to Elyria?), and Akron.  We need leadership and lobbying on the state and federal level to get the funds.  Our state and federal legislators better wake up and start helping an enlightened RTA leadership (when it so becomes) before gasoline is a thing of the past.

 

 

RTA is the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority.  It runs the transportation system in Cuyahoga County as a state agency.  When Medina, Lake, Summit, Geauga, Lorain & Portage counties TA's want to merge with Greater Cleveland RTA then we'll have a regional body.

 

Light rail to the outer counties is just stupid!  Is it possible you're confusing that with Commutter Rail such as the LIRR, Metra, New Jersey Transit, SEPTA or VRE rail systems?  That is what is needed in our region.

 

I myself think that RTA leadership is not aggesive in expansion project, but we're in much better financial shape than many other transportation systems. Having said that how much time have you spent calling/writing our state and federal legislators to ask for increases in transportation funding?

Word.

Word, x2.  I would say that I can understand where chevalier is coming from, and I would venture that many of the ideas that he/she posted appear on many of our own personal public transportation wish lists for Northeast Ohio.  However, what I think most of us realize, from spending time on this forum, as well as paying attention to the news and understanding how our government works, is that there are multitude of projects and programs that compete for federal, state, and local funding.  One can have all the best ideas, grassroots support, and all the will in the world, but if funding does not exist – nor do allies who could enable such funding – a project, program, or idea will never get off the ground.  This is as true for weapons systems as it is for transportation systems.

 

We are on the verge of making significant progress (3-C corridor/Ohio Hub) and have efforts creating tremendous momentum (Cleveland-Lorain commuter railroad), but only after years and years of grassroots lobbying and fundraising JUST to get these proposals on the radar screens of our elected officials.  So while it is certainly alright to ask questions about certain proposed (and even not-proposed) transportation projects, to somehow suggest that their nonexistence is indicative of a lack of vision or effort is, in my opinion, naive.

 

In an ideal world, interurbans would reappear, RTA would expand east and west, and light rail to Mentor, Lorain, Parma, Medina, North Olmsted, and Akron would be a reality.  And the rest of our crumbling transportation infrastructure would be rebuilt.  And we would eliminate poverty in our urban areas, and revitalize public education.  And we would all sh!t rainbows.  But in order to be an effective society we must set realistic priorities for our public expenditures, and I don't think that building a light rail line to Elyria is the highest and best use of taxpayers dollars at this time. 

^ Regarding the rainbows statement...I have checked all of our long-range plans, and can find nothing to substantiate that item. Happy holidays anyways.

Some of the projects we're wanting are getting done in other metro areas.  It isn't as hard for everyone to get tracks laid as it is for us.  There's a whole thread to rub our faces in it.  I agree that the problem is primarily at the state level, not locally.  But it can't help when our local #1 guy is so openly opposed to rail.  It also doesn't help that our area is so politically fractured that 5 miles of train goes through 5 jurisdictions, at least one of which is guaranteed to be racist and to equate train stations with hell-gates.

Some of the projects we're wanting are getting done in other metro areas.  It isn't as hard for everyone to get tracks laid as it is for us.  There's a whole thread to rub our faces in it.  I agree that the problem is primarily at the state level, not locally.  But it can't help when our local #1 guy is so openly opposed to rail.  It also doesn't help that our area is so politically fractured that 5 miles of train goes through 5 jurisdictions, at least one of which is guaranteed to be racist and to equate train stations with hell-gates.

 

I keep reading this, but do you have any facts to back this up??

Some of the projects we're wanting are getting done in other metro areas.  It isn't as hard for everyone to get tracks laid as it is for us.  There's a whole thread to rub our faces in it.  I agree that the problem is primarily at the state level, not locally.  But it can't help when our local #1 guy is so openly opposed to rail.  It also doesn't help that our area is so politically fractured that 5 miles of train goes through 5 jurisdictions, at least one of which is guaranteed to be racist and to equate train stations with hell-gates.

 

I keep reading this, but do you have any facts to back this up??

 

I'd encountered it so many times myself I thought it was a given.  I'll do some poking around and see what comes up.  I recall some statistics or survey data he advanced in arguing that people prefer riding buses over trains, and how the capital investment in trains is so prohibitive.  There was a significant kerfluffle on here about those claims.

 

Edit:  If you want to find something, use your search feature!  :roll:

Some of the projects we're wanting are getting done in other metro areas.  It isn't as hard for everyone to get tracks laid as it is for us.  There's a whole thread to rub our faces in it.  I agree that the problem is primarily at the state level, not locally.  But it can't help when our local #1 guy is so openly opposed to rail.  It also doesn't help that our area is so politically fractured that 5 miles of train goes through 5 jurisdictions, at least one of which is guaranteed to be racist and to equate train stations with hell-gates.

 

I keep reading this, but do you have any facts to back this up??

 

I'd encountered it so many times myself I thought it was a given.  I'll do some poking around and see what comes up.  I recall some statistics or survey data he advanced in arguing that people prefer riding buses over trains, and how the capital investment in trains is so prohibitive.  There was a significant kerfluffle on here about those claims.

 

Well that is why I asked.  I hate it when someone puts words in my mouth or describes me as "x" way when they don't truly know my intentions.

 

Personally, I think our lack of "expansion" is often regarded as "lack of rail expansion" or that he is "anti rail" and he has become the fall guy for that.

 

I have no problems with anyone giving constructive criticisms, but lets not write false statements about folks.  ;)

I don't think I'm unfairly demonizing him.  It's not that he gives speeches about the evil of trains; he doesn't.  It's that his tepid, passive-aggressive statements about rail expansion are counterintuitive given the circumstances.

I don't think I'm unfairly demonizing him.  It's not that he gives speeches about the evil of trains; he doesn't.  It's that his tepid, passive-aggressive statements about rail expansion are counterintuitive given the circumstances.

 

I'm not defending him or being an apologist.  I just want to be fair.

 

As food for thought, how many of you do your job to the best of your abilities, yet have someone say, "if i were you I would (would have done) x, y, z....." or "if I was in your position I would do (would have done) ...."

 

How can we say he's this or that when we are not physically at the table or really know what is on his plate?

 

I just want to look at both sides of the situation.

Pro-rail people around here would much prefer that he not be so tepid or down on rail.  As the head of the transit authority a champion for rail expansion, even if currently economically unfeasible, would be preferable.  JC would argue that he is simply being realistic, but for whatever reason a lot of people ehre get the impression that he's not at all enthusiastic about rail expansion.  And that seems odd for someone whose job is what it is.

Joe Calabrese is not anti-rail. He is pro-transit, and he is pro-fiscal integrity, and he is a realist. Because of the way some things have evolved in Cleveland, I can understand why you might think that way. Since he has been here, he has spent millions to upgrade the system, maintain it properly and build new stations. Granted, there has not been growth, per se, but with the economy the way it is, maintaining what you have takes a higher priority than expansion. I know that you may want to respond with a point-by-point thesis that supports your position, but please, do not expect long answers from me today.

As stated before, it's easier to be an armchair monday morning quarterback than being put in the position yourself.

 

It's always easier said than done.

 

You can argue that Joe does not get paid to dream, he gets paid to run RTA.

 

We don't get paid to dream either, but that doesn't stop us.  :-)

I had hoped to learn about some forward thinking plans for northeast Ohio on this Forum but haven't seen anything after several months.

 

Tad impatient, aren't we?

 

How many new roads are you seeing built in Cuyahoga County? Yes, the Crocker-Stearn link opened up last week. That project was first proposed in the 1950s. See what I mean? Then there's the Inner Belt rebuilding project which has been in active planning for more than 10 years. And the Opportunity Corridor has been discussed in various incarnations since the 1940s. Those are the only new roadway construction projects in active planning in Cuyahoga County that I'm aware of.

 

I used road projects as examples because roads have received most of the transportation investment for decades -- 85-90 percent of state/federal government funding nationwide since 1970. In dollar terms, roads/highways have received more than $2 trillion in government funding nationwide in that period.

 

If you want to see construction projects move from idea to construction relatively quickly, move to China. Just be sure you don't move into the path of one of those projects. Learn to pack quickly and travel lightly...

You can argue that Joe does not get paid to dream, he gets paid to run RTA.

We don't get paid to dream either, but that doesn't stop us. :-)

 

What is the difference between a dream and a vision? I will let you decide that. Here's is what one Web site said.

 

"Dream - What you see when you are imagining a hypothetical scenario."

 

"Vision - What you see when you look to the future without hypothesizing, wishing or imagining."

 

Joe Calabrese has a vision of what transit can be in Cleveland, and he is working toward that vision every day. What kind of things does he deem important to that vision? See what the categories are on RTA's quarterly report card, on our Web site.

www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1240

 

Dec. 23, 2008

 

RTA celebrates one-millionth trolley rider this year

 

 

 

CLEVELAND – A 31-year-old Cleveland woman, on her way to meet friends at Tower City for lunch, got a huge surprise today.

 

She was greeted by TV crews, two famous Radio City Rockettes, and officials of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA).

 

RTA CEO Joe Calabrese offered her a handshake. “Congratulations, you are the one millionth rider on our trolleys this year.”

 

The honoree is Jessica Wilks, a daily transit rider. She says she boards the Red Line every day at the Triskett station. She works in the Warehouse District, where she is a project manager for Sandvick Architects.

 

"When I left the office for lunch, this is not what I expected, " she laughed. “I am a little shocked.”

 

She says she felt honored. “It’s nice that RTA is doing this. I love the trolleys and I love the trains.”

 

Her eyes grew big at the sight of all the gifts she received. She joked, "Are there any bus passes in here?"

 

Wilks received a downtown getaway package, tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, dinner at House of Blues, tickets to the Great Lakes Science Center, and a one-night stay at the Marriott Hotel at Key Center. All gifts were donated by the merchants.

 

During the day, all other trolley riders received a holiday card with discounts to downtown restaurants, entertainment venues, and productions at PlayhouseSquare.

 

“Our trolleys have been extremely successful this year,” Calabrese notes. “More than 5,000 smiling customers ride our trolleys each weekday -- greatly exceeding our expectations.”

 

Trolley service this year is sponsored by Dollar Bank. Service was introduced in 2006.

Posted on the Healthline page as well:

 

Okay, I rode the healthline for the first time last night to go from Public Square to Sergio's in University Circle...

 

The Shelter on the South side of the square was nice but open on each side which gave no relief to the wind.  It was pretty cold last night, which made me wonder why the heat lamps were not installed in the shelters with the winter climate we have here.  We figured we would buy two tickets from the machine in the shelter.  One machine had signage saying "please pay on-board", the other machine did not, so we figured the one machine was broken and bought from the other. 

 

Like many of you on this site, I have been to Chicago and NYC many times.  The RTA machines are not nearly as easy to use.  The Metrocard machines in NYC are touch screen and are easy to understand what you are buying without having to go into many different steps.  We had to go through many steps, scroll out of buying disabled/senior tickets, try to figure out the many different buttons on the ride side of the screen before we finally made the purchase.  We purchased (2) tickets which cost $8.  We boarded the bus, went to dip the tickets and the driver said it was okay and not to worry.

 

The ride to UC was nice and quick, the bus was smooth and comfortable...basically a nice ride.  The signage for the stops in the bus were nice as well was the automated voice for stops. 

 

Dinner was nice!  Afterwards we made it to the stop just in time to catch the bus (thank God because we were cold!).  As we boarded the bus, I dipped my ticket and the driver said the ticket was no good!  She said it was a one way ticket and we had already used it.  We explained that we bought the tickets and never even dipped them on the first ride.  We explained we THOUGHT we bought round trip tix and we paid $8 for the two tickets.  She had NO CLUE as to what we could have purchased because all day passes are $4.50 each, not $4, and that the tickets said $2 on them.  She then asked if we bought the tickets at the machine, to which we replied yes.  She told us that the machine are not reliable and don't work correctly most of the time and it is best to always buy tickets on-board!!!  She believed our story and let us ride back to the square.  But what if she didn't!?!  That would have meant we got ripped off for a $4 ticket that apparently doesn't even exist!  It is sad to me that these machines are so confusing compared to others I have used and we are basically still forced to buy tickets ON the bus!

 

I would like to thank operator 00571 (Judy) on bus 2909, Sat night at approx 2130 hrs, for being so helpful and pleasent...I hope those at RTA can let her know that helpful actions like that make the difference in keeping repeat riders.

I love the trolley service.  It adds a lot to downtown.  I would also love to see a trolley that goes across one bridge, down/up W25th, and back over the other bridge.  It would help promote Ohio City as an aspect of downtown.  There are plenty of buses and a train that go there, but the free trolleys are really helpful for visitors and for business.

I understand the cut was made due to budget constraints, but the trolley only going until 7 is a killer. 

I understand the cut was made due to budget constraints, but the trolley only going until 7 is a killer.

 

It was funny when the sign said running till 11 was for night-owls or hep-cats or something.  That would apply if they ran till 3am, not 11.  Referring to 11 as night-owl territory evinces a disconnect with modern social existence.  Somebody in advertising there must be aware this isn't Utah.

The 7 pm service stoppage is an absolute killer for me and my girlfriend in the winter.  We love heading over to East 4th, Cavs and Monsters games but the walk is a killer in the winter.  If we head to East 4th for supper we always try to go early so we can catch the trolley back to the WHD before service stops.  I truly hope the service is extended to 11 (12 would be better!) before next winter.

I understand the cut was made due to budget constraints, but the trolley only going until 7 is a killer.

 

Service on the E-Line trolley was returned to its original hours of 7am-7pm M-F when the 24/7 HealthLine began operations. Why should RTA place service on top of service? It's bad practice to compete with yourself.

JMasek,

 

Please read my post six posts back.

^We apologize for the confusion over proper fare collection procedures. Soon, that will be cleared up.

H

I understand the cut was made due to budget constraints, but the trolley only going until 7 is a killer.

 

Service on the E-Line trolley was returned to its original hours of 7am-7pm M-F when the 24/7 HealthLine began operations. Why should RTA place service on top of service? It's bad practice to compete with yourself.

 

How do the trolleys connecting the Warehouse to Euclid Avenue overlap service?  The Healthline goes no where near the intersection of W9th and St. Clair.  Good luck getting 1 million riders on the trolleys next year...

OK, so the E-line was returned to normal service hours because of the HealthLine... that's fair even though it gets me no where near the WHD, but what about the B-line?  Why is that trolley only running 7 to 7?  The B-line should  be running later in my opinion and maybe even on the weekends.  It connects the two largest population centers downtown (E12th and WHD) and gives these people an easy way of getting to and from the two areas.  If it's a financial thing why not charge $1 on the weekends or something?  The B-line is also a nice way for tourists to get to and from the Rock Hall and Science Center and could be used to promote the city as a fun and easy city to visit and enjoy. 

 

I think the free trolleys are vital to downtown Cleveland and need to run later than 7 PM.

OK, so the E-line was returned to normal service hours because of the HealthLine... that's fair even though it gets me no where near the WHD, but what about the B-line?  Why is that trolley only running 7 to 7?  The B-line should  be running later in my opinion and maybe even on the weekends.  It connects the two largest population centers downtown (E12th and WHD) and gives these people an easy way of getting to and from the two areas.  If it's a financial thing why not charge $1 on the weekends or something?  The B-line is also a nice way for tourists to get to and from the Rock Hall and Science Center and could be used to promote the city as a fun and easy city to visit and enjoy. 

 

I think the free trolleys are vital to downtown Cleveland and need to run later than 7 PM.

 

Thats a good idea, I wonder if a sponsor can be found or charging a fare (say ¢25 or ¢50,  IIRC the old loop buses cost that much) on weekends.  Yet it would all depend on DEMAND and cost. 

 

I wouldn't want to see empty buses running, just to say the service is there.

I worry that RTA underestimates demand by having the drivers count.  I hope/assume there are other ways demand is measured, and that they account for the number of times drivers wave people by or don't beep the thing when I show my CSU-pass.  There are cameras on every bus, so they can compare video tallies with official counts and get a standard figure for overage. 

 

The routes I ride, including the E-line, are usually pretty much full.  Sometimes they're crazy full, which is when drivers seem a lot less likely to charge or count riders.  They're all about not getting behind, and I agree.  Just go.  Executive decision.  That said, I would hate to see a service cut back or an expansion delayed because of underestimated demand.

"How do the trolleys connecting the Warehouse to Euclid Avenue overlap service?  The Healthline goes no where near the intersection of W9th and St. Clair.  Good luck getting 1 million riders on the trolleys next year."

 

The HealthLine and the E-Line overlap service from Tower City to CSU.

 

The HealthLine and the B-Line do not overlap service, but share a common transfer point at Tower City.

 

Trolley ridership has increased virtually every month since it began. At some point, it will reach a saturation point and level off. That has not happened yet.

Extending the times of the trolley lines has been discussed, but again, it is a budget issue. If the merchants who benefit from the extended hours want to help subsidize the service, it could be a possibility. For now, we are placing as much service on the street as we can afford.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/02/business/02steel.html?emc=eta1

.....

“If the president-elect really follows through, he’ll fund a lot of mass transit projects,” said Wilbur L. Ross Jr., the Wall Street deal maker who put together the steel conglomerate known as Arcelor Mittal USA. “All the big cities have these projects ready to go.”

......

 

Excuse me if these points are remedial to a lot of folks on UO. But since I've been in northeast Ohio I've heard three main broad reasons we're not expanding rail transit:

1) There isn't funding.

2) Outer-ring  and exurban municipalities in particular don't want it coming through or stopping in their areas.

3) Urban and inner-ring officials feel it will be sprawl-inducing particularly if it serves outer-ring and exurban areas.

With the potential of the new political situation to possibly significantly alter point (1), where do we stand with the other two points? Shouldn't we at least be studying what we would do if we get an rare opportunity to do something?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/02/business/02steel.html?emc=eta1

.....

“If the president-elect really follows through, he’ll fund a lot of mass transit projects,” said Wilbur L. Ross Jr., the Wall Street deal maker who put together the steel conglomerate known as Arcelor Mittal USA. “All the big cities have these projects ready to go.”

......

 

Excuse me if these points are remedial to a lot of folks on UO. But since I've been in northeast Ohio I've heard three main broad reasons we're not expanding rail transit:

1) There isn't funding.

2) Outer-ring  and exurban municipalities in particular don't want it coming through or stopping in their areas.

3) Urban and inner-ring officials feel it will be sprawl-inducing particularly if it serves outer-ring and exurban areas.

With the potential of the new political situation to possibly significantly alter point (1), where do we stand with the other two points? Shouldn't we at least be studying what we would do if we get an rare opportunity to do something?

 

the transit agencies in the NOACA region have submitted their plans for potential stimulus money.  There is a line by line list of shovel ready projects here: http://www.noaca.org/amendstimulusres.pdf  No rail expansion projects, but some rail rehab and station construction.

 

RTA's portion seems a little thin in the details, just providing a total amount and a project title.  Some of the other agencies provided more background justification for their transit projects.

I understand the cut was made due to budget constraints, but the trolley only going until 7 is a killer. 

 

Service on the E-Line trolley was returned to its original hours of 7am-7pm M-F when the 24/7 HealthLine began operations. Why should RTA place service on top of service? It's bad practice to compete with yourself.

 

Umm the E-Line is free.  I would rather walk 17 blocks than pay $1.75.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/01/rta_works_to_reduce_leftturn_a.html#comments

 

RTA works to reduce left-turn accidents

 

PD, Jan. 5, 2009

 

Teaching RTA bus drivers to turn left safely has become a priority following the death of a Cleveland man who was struck in a crosswalk last fall.

 

.......

The New York Times mass transit article was already posted at "Rethinking transport in the USA" at

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,14971.msg356638.html#msg356638

Transit Police will help D.C. on Inauguration Day

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1245

 

National skaters glide into Cleveland, RTA riders get discount

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1246

 

RTA offers full service on Jan. 19 MLK holiday

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1247

 

Nominations sought for customer service award

http://www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1248

See the action alert from the American Public Transportation Association posted at:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,14971.msg357239.html#msg357239

Trains and transit are highlighted in bold....

 

http://www.cleveland.com/westsidesun/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1231445328181590.xml&coll=4

 

Cleveland submits wish list of projects for federal funds

Thursday, January 08, 2009

By Ken Prendergast

[email protected]

West Side Sun News

 

Among $1.56 billion worth of infrastructure projects submitted by the city for federal economic stimulus funds, Mayor Frank Jackson singled out four projects as his highest priorities.

 

.....

^ Wouldn't this have been a prime opportunity to seek money to EXPAND the RAIL system here in Cleveland rather than to lean toward another BRT line?  Extend the waterfront line to loop through downtown or out to Euclid (or both!) and also look into expansion of the rail system into Lakewood or Parma and beyond.  If Columbus is asking money to START a light RAIL line, I am sure money for expansion wouldn't be out of the question....just my opinion

^ Wouldn't this have been a prime opportunity to seek money to EXPAND the RAIL system here in Cleveland rather than to lean toward another BRT line?  Extend the waterfront line to loop through downtown or out to Euclid (or both!) and also look into expansion of the rail system into Lakewood or Parma and beyond.  If Columbus is asking money to START a light RAIL line, I am sure money for expansion wouldn't be out of the question....just my opinion

 

I whole heartily agree.  Use the money to get rails under both bridges and have lines going down Detroit and Lorain.

 

I suspect RTA is being cautious and not thinking about expansion.  Expansion could be good for RTA and TOD will help cleveland as people are apt to move into areas with a good transportation network.

 

However WE need to do our part by calling RTA and our elected officials and telling them we want more rail.

It's not only about the expansion of rail. There also needs to be consideration for the cost of running it long term. Would there be enough funds to sustain something like this long term? Columbus doesn't have a light rail system yet, so that is something that is a DEFINITE need for them. Cleveland's rail system could be better for sure, but would the ridership support it? More importantly, would the state funds be there to support running it long term? Until the state better supports transit, it may not be feasible to do so right now. Ohio needs to step up funding for transit .. we can't just rely on a one time federal gift of money. Until that happens, I don't know if anything of greater, long-lasting significance can be achieved.

Jackson submitted his 66-project list Dec. 22 to President-elect Barack Obama, Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio's Congressional Delegation. In it, he highlighted these four projects:

 

+ $350 million for construction of a new westbound Innerbelt-Central Viaduct (Interstate 90) bridge over the Cuyahoga River valley.

 

+ $50 million for repair of the slumping Riverbed Road hillside in Ohio City which threatens to close the Cuyahoga River to shipping traffic.

 

+ $300 million for the Opportunity Corridor boulevard from Interstate 490 to University Circle.

 

+ $30 million for rebuilding the West Shoreway (state Route 2) between West 25th Street and Clifton Boulevard.

 

The 10 biggest remaining infrastructure projects, in dollar terms, in the mayor's request are:

 

+ $100 million for starting passenger rail service between downtown Cleveland, Hopkins Airport, Columbus and Cincinnati.

 

+ $100 million to conduct design and engineering to complete environmental work for a statewide high-speed rail system.

 

+ $60 million for phase one of relocating the Port of Cleveland away from downtown.

 

+ $55 million divided among two requests to complete infrastructure, plazas and structured parking to restart the $500 million Flats East Bank development.

 

+ $50 million for extending Euclid Corridor-type bus rapid transit service along Buckeye Road, East 55th Street and Clifton Boulevard.

 

+ $40 million for two phases of storm sewer meter automation and upgrades citywide.

 

+ $40 million to extend the Towpath Trail from Harvard Road to Canal Basin Park downtown.

 

+ $40 million for construction of a new air traffic control tower at Hopkins International Airport.

 

+ $33 million to rehabilitate sewer lines downtown.

 

+ $30 million to upgrade several rail rapid transit stations.

 

Numerous other projects involved improving water mains, storm sewers, bridges, streets, trails, streetscapes and other infrastructure in neighborhoods citywide.

 

Other agencies, including the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and the North East Ohio Regional Sewer District, submitted their own lists of projects in Cleveland.

 

NEORSD submitted four projects totaling $144 million. They include replacing incinerators, two relief sewers on the east side and replacement of substations at the Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant.

 

In total, RTA submitted $62.9 million worth of projects, nearly all of which are for upgrading rail system tracks, stations, electrical substations and bridges. The exception is $7.9 million for construction of a bus station and related development near Cleveland State University.

 

It's not only about the expansion of rail. There also needs to be consideration for the cost of running it long term. Would there be enough funds to sustain something like this long term?

 

Bingo!

 

Until the state better supports transit, it may not be feasible to do so right now. Ohio needs to step up funding for transit .. we can't just rely on a one time federal gift of money. Until that happens, I don't know if anything of greater, long-lasting significance can be achieved.

 

Double bingo!

 

Therefore contacting RTA would be a wasted call/letter/e-mail. Complaining to RTA about its inability to fund major expansion projects is like blaming a malnourished child for not eating. Kindly direct those complaints to your state elected officials where it belongs.