Saw an accident last night involving an RTA bus and an SUV at Ontario and Superior.  The bus (on Ontario) blatantly ran the red light and got T-boned by an SUV travelling on Superior.  Luckily it wasn't a really high speed impact... he just couldn't stop on the snow.  The SUV lost a headlight and had some other bumper damage.  After the accident the SUV flipped on his hazards which happened to be the strobe blinkers that most cop and fire vehicles have... tough luck for the bus driver!  Kind of scary to see a bus run a red light like that... especially in those weather conditions. 

 

Just thought I'd share that interesting story with y'all.

Can you provide more information, including direction the bus was traveling, time of the accident, etc.?

^Bus was travelling South on Ontario, SUV was travelling East on Superior.  The accident occurred at approximately 7:20 PM on Saturday night.  That's really about all I've got in addition to what I said in my earlier post.

I have seen many buses run red lights,especially the 1# bus. 4 lights within a 10 period one night.

 

Kinda sad Mr Masek.  :whip: :whip:

^Mr. Masek is not the head of the RTA, he is just a gentleman who takes a great deal of his time to answer questions and listen to the concerns of forum members.  He goes out of his way to relay this information to the people within RTA to seek a resolution.  He is a welcome asset to this forum.

 

Your post is inappropriate.

^Mr. Masek is not the head of the RTA, he is just a gentleman who takes a great deal of his time to answer questions and listen to the concerns of forum members.  He goes out of his way to relay this information to the people within RTA to seek a resolution.  He is a welcome asset to this forum.

 

Your post is inappropriate.

 

100% agree!

RTA ridership up for record sixth straight year

 

CLEVELAND – For a record sixth consecutive year, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) saw a jump in its ridership numbers.

 

Leading the way were ridership numbers on the HealthLine, which could only be described, as well…healthy. Ridership was up 46 percent over a year ago, when it was known as #6 bus.

 

“This kind of ridership increase is in line with what has been seen when Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service was introduced in other cities,” says RTA CEO & General Manager Joe Calabrese, who has a national reputation as a strong BRT proponent.

 

RTA has only achieved five consecutive years of ridership growth two other times in its 32-year history. Created in 1975, RTA saw increases in 1976-1980 and 2003-2008.

 

“We had not predicted any ridership growth this year,” Calabrese says. “Our riders saw a 5 percent service cut in December 2007, and a 25-cent fare increase in January. Then, because of budget shortfalls, we were forced to add another service cut and fuel surcharge in the fall. Conventional transit wisdom says we should have had fewer riders, but that did not happen.”

 

“We know that a lot of new riders turned to RTA when gas prices were high. Apparently, they stuck with us when gas prices returned a five-year low. Our only conclusion is that they were pleased with our high-quality service. Be it the financial savings or the fact that taking public transit is good for the environment, Greater Clevelanders recognize RTA as a viable means of transportation, and we’re excited about that. Our pledge this year is to continue to provide as much high-quality service as our resources will allow.”

 

“Besides the HealthLine, we saw strong ridership increases in our downtown trolleys, our rail system, and use of our major Park-and-Ride lots in North Olmsted, Westlake and Strongsville,” Calabrese says. “Trolley ridership topped one million in 2008. We are considering bringing back three-car trains on our Red Line to handle the increased demand. In December, our car counts showed increases of 33 percent to 110 percent in our Park-and-Ride lots,”

Calabrese says.

 

Ridership growth through the years:

· 52.7 million in 2002

· 53.5 million in 2003

· 55.5 million in 2004

· 57.1 million in 2005

· 57.2 million in 2006

· 57.3 million in 2007

· 57.9 million in 2008

 

Rail ridership saw a significant increase in 2007, up nearly 9 percent. Heavy rail was up 8 percent, while light rail saw an increase of 10 percent. Bus ridership dipped slightly, however RTA’s downtown trolley service proved to be a continued success with daily ridership reaching 4,000 customers at times.

 

Ridership highlights, December 2008 vs. December 2007

· Systemwide ridership up 5.4 percent, or 236,000 rides.

· Average daily weekday ridership up 8 percent, or 3,200 more rides.

· HealthLine ridership was more than 563,000.

· Bus was up 4.1 percent, and the rail was up 12.3 percent

· Trolley ridership up 31 percent, or more than 81,000 rides.

 

Year-end highlights, 2008 vs. 2007

· Systemwide ridership up 1.1 percent, or 655,000 rides.

· Bus was up 0.8 percent, rail was up 2.56 percent.

· Average daily trolley ridership is 3,687, a 19 percent increase.

 

More than 1,900 bike rides were taken on transit in December, boosting the year-end total to 50,300.

 

Bring that 3rd car onto the Red Line.  It just looks cooler...

^Besides looking cool, it would work well after RTA moves to a POP system on the RedLine. I have to imagine that adding the third car wouldn't add dramatically to costs, (wouldn't require another driver) while it would significantly add to the capacity.

Bring that 3rd car onto the Red Line.  It just looks cooler...

 

Don't forget us folks on the blue and Green Lines.  We'd like to see three car trains as well.  The blue line platforms can accomodate three car trains.

^Besides looking cool, it would work well after RTA moves to a POP system on the RedLine. I have to imagine that adding the third car wouldn't add dramatically to costs, (wouldn't require another driver) while it would significantly add to the capacity.

 

And we'd have better tracking of patrons using the system and what stations they use to start their trip.

^^Are the Blue and Green lines capable of including a 3rd car? I've never seen a 3 car train on those lines, though it would be nice especially if the Blue line gets extended further than Warrensville.

^^Are the Blue and Green lines capable of including a 3rd car? I've never seen a 3 car train on those lines, though it would be nice especially if the Blue line gets extended further than Warrensville.

 

They used to be common in the 90's when the Indians were in their hayday.  I still believe they are common during Browns season.

^^Are the Blue and Green lines capable of including a 3rd car? I've never seen a 3 car train on those lines, though it would be nice especially if the Blue line gets extended further than Warrensville.

 

Yes.  I've riden the Blue/Green lines all my life the older PCC cars could be made into four or five car trains. 

 

When the line was rebuilt so that the Blue line platforms could accommodate three cars.  On Green line, the Warrensville to Green Road stations can accommodate three cars.

 

Id say from the mid 80s and the early 90s, during rush hour or bad weather, every other train on the blue line would be a three car train. 

 

Toward the end of rush hour 6:45PM, on the return west bound trip, a two car train followed by an (out of service) one car train would do the return.  The one car train would move to the service track at 79 and go into the yard and the two car train would continue to TC.  On occasion they would leave cars at Van Aken-Warrensville, I think they stopped that when they eliminated the loop.  I don't know why since the new cars don't use the loop.

 

On occasion RTA would move several one car trains onto the middle track in front of my house, then couple three, four or five, then head to the yard. 

 

I'm sure some of you remember, when RTA would line up the three car blue line trains, on extra tracks of the Red Line Bridge, prior to the construction of the WFL extension.  Because of the frequency (more trains running on the blue, green and red lines during rush hour), the shaker trains couldn't enter/wait in the new station, since there was already a car on the middle track, so the blue line trains would use the outer tracks, move to the middle track on the redline bridge and reverse.

 

^^Are the Blue and Green lines capable of including a 3rd car? I've never seen a 3 car train on those lines, though it would be nice especially if the Blue line gets extended further than Warrensville.

 

They used to be common in the 90's when the Cavs were in their hayday.  I still believe they are common during Browns season.

Oh young one.........lol

 

There are extra cars for Browns games and special events.

 

Don't forget us folks on the blue and Green Lines.  We'd like to see three car trains as well.  The blue line platforms can accomodate three car trains.

 

Jerry, Has RTA completed modifications to the LR vehicles allowing them to be coupled without a driver in each vehicle?

 

Also: should this be 2008?

 

"Rail ridership saw a significant increase in 2007, up nearly 9 percent. Heavy rail was up 8 percent, while light rail saw an increase of 10 percent. Bus ridership dipped slightly, however RTA’s downtown trolley service proved to be a continued success with daily ridership reaching 4,000 customers at times." 

I have seen many buses run red lights,especially the 1# bus. 4 lights within a 10 period one night.

 

Kinda sad Mr Masek.

 

Valetino, if you are noticing this on a regular basis, you should report this to RTA and provide them with the bus number, route and time. That provides RTA with more information so they can improve on drivers who are causing serious safety violations, which should happen (the improving, I mean. not the safety violations).

 

That is, you should do that if you're serious about RTA improving. But I think you're one of those people who's always looking to point out faults, without lifting a finger to do anything about them. If you're here to just spout negative comments to point out faults all the time, then THAT'S not appreciated or helpful. Maybe it's time you started actually doing something to improve things rather than just being so negative all the time.

^ Right sentence, wrong release...the computer gremlins are at it again. The graph is being deleted..thanks,.

<<Has RTA completed modifications to the LR vehicles allowing them to be coupled without a driver in each vehicle?>>

 

checking

The cost of electricity is the same "per car", so if one car uses 10 units of energy, two cars use 20 units. Correct, the Red Line trains need only one operator.

Sorry, meant the Indians in the 90's.

^^Jerry, not sure if that was meant to answer my question, but I was referring to Blue/Green line (Light Rail) vehicle coupling.  My apologies if there was no confusion and you are still checking.

 

Also, from the press release, you might also want to look again at this paragraph.  Doesn't this mean there has only been one other period of 5+ years of passenger growth?

 

RTA has only achieved five consecutive years of ridership growth two other times in its 32-year history. Created in 1975, RTA saw increases in 1976-1980 and 2003-2008.

 

Not trying to be annoying, just protecting RTA from the losers who see every typo as evidence of supposed RTA problems.

Not trying to take this thread off-topic, but I think the continued ridership increase is impressive considering the multiple recent fare hikes and service cuts, but particularly so at a time when the City and county are both supposedly losing population at a breathtaking rate.

"Not trying to take this thread off-topic"

 

But ya did, Blanche! ;-)

RTA had a five-year run of ridership increases, 1976-77-78-79 and 80. Our ridership last year tied this record, and now we surpassed it.

Leading the way were ridership numbers on the HealthLine, which could only be described, as well…healthy. Ridership was up 46 percent over a year ago, when it was known as #6 bus.

 

This is great to see, even though it's a double-edge sword: High ridership is a great thing, but now the ride is just as cramped as it always was.  Last month when I rode it, I noticed that the new buses were running just as full as the old ones. 

 

What a concept... provide quality transit and people use it in droves (I hear it works for commuter rail and intercity trains too...:wink:).  I know RTA gets this concept, but our legislature and congress need to get it too. 

 

 

BTW, are all of the ticketing machines working yet?

I know RTA gets this concept, but our legislature and congress need to get it too. 

 

It's not just Ohio. We, as a nation, NEED to get it.

I'd like to give a little shout out to RTA's customer service and refund department for not giving me any hassle over a refund for one of the machines that broke down on Monday.  My only issues were that I had to call between 7:30-9am and a few of the phone numbers were either disconnected or had no voice mail.  That aside, the RTA reps were polite, apologetic, and I'm getting my $10 pass this afternoon.  So thanks guys.

Pictures from http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagendalist.htm of  The GCRTA East Side Transportation Project, (Final Review for Structure, 2100 Prospect Avenue)

great find -- it's ok looking! i like the glassy, open corner visibility of the waiting area.

Random question for anyone who might know:

 

For the #9 bus going eastbound, travel is supposed to occur on E. 12th between St. Clair and Chester (going westbound, the bus uses E. 13th).  Since E. 12th is torn up between St. Clair and Superior, does the bus still use E. 12th for the time being, or has it been diverted elsewhere?  If anyone knows, that would be greatly appreciated so that I know where to catch the bus :).  After sitting in my car for an hour and a half trying to get home from Case Wednesday night because of the quarter inch of snow on the roads, I have decided to ditch my thousand dollar parking permit when it comes up for renewal and take the bus or the Healthline, depending on the time of day.  I've already purchased my Case graduate student RTA pass.  Yay! :-D

^Just think, just by yourself you'll add a couple hundred to RTA's annual 2009 ridership!  Sorry I don't know the answer to your route question though.

 

Re. the transit center.  How exactly will this thing work?  Will west side routes originate here before heading through downtown on their way west?  What about east side routes?  Is this thing designed mainly to keep buses between routes off the streets (while also providing passengers connecting between routes, or who use nearby stops, a more comfortable waiting environment)?

We have the opportunity right now to make sure those walls will be actual walls this time.  Let's make it happen.

Doc B

 

I will have an answer for you after Tuesday...we are closed Monday.

Thanks Jerry.

The East Side Transit Center will provide an off-street bus staging area for layover and transfer connections.  It will have a climate controlled customer waiting area. 

How will people move between the east and west transit centers, or between the east center and tower city?

^ To answer your question fully would take many details, but here is a generic answer. From what I understand, many bus routes will end at the transit centers, and people will transfer to the HealthLine or some other routes. This will relieve the tremendous amount of buses downtown at rush hour. I realize that this answer may spawn other questions, but with things so far off, it is impossible to provide more details. Your interest is appreciated, but so is your patience.

Thank you for the explanation.

Regarding the East Side Transit Center was their not an earlier rendering from a couple of years ago that was quite different than this one. I seem to remember a multi-storied building that was located in a different area than this one. Before I search all of these pages does anyone recall this. Or is this a different project alltogether?

Shaker rapid stops to get makeover

Posted by Karen Farkas/Plain Dealer Reporter January 20, 2009 18:11PM

Categories: Breaking News, Real Time News

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/01/shaker_rapid_stops_to_get_make.html

 

Courtesy of Bialosky + Partners

The proposed RTA rapid station on Lee Road at Van Aken Boulevard in Shaker [br]Heights has enclosed entrances for eastbound and westbound travelers that are [br]connected by a steel arch. Riders can take an elevator or stairs down to the [br]station platform.

 

SHAKER HEIGHTS — The dimly lit RTA rapid station at Lee Road and Van Aken Boulevard is so foreboding at night that some people pass it up and walk to a different station.

 

That is about to change. Next year riders will enter a $3.2 million station, consisting of two entry pavilions connected by a metal arch. The new, brightly lit station will include elevators and glass-enclosed waiting areas at the tracks, said Maribeth Feke, director of programming and planning for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority.

 

..........

Is the cold affecting the rapid's schedule?  In the morning, I usually wait between 1 and 5, maybe 7 minutes tops for the rapid and this morning everyone was grumbling because we waited almost 25 minutes for a train.  There were so many people waiting at each stop (boarding originally at Brookpark proceding east on the redline) that after 2 more stops it looked like Japan on the train because people were just like sardines in there.  By the time we got to 25th we had to actually leave people off the train because there was literally no room for them, and I'm sure they'd been waiting as long as we had.  I did note that when the train finally got to Brookpark, it stopped way, way past the boarding location and everyone had to get on the first train at the last door, so I wonder if the cold is affecting the brakes and that's why the delay?

 

The driver did not have a name plate up but the front car was 193 if that means anything.

People who take the green line westbound were also complaining about long waits today.  I'm sure it has something to do with the weather.

Regarding the East Side Transit Center was their not an earlier rendering from a couple of years ago that was quite different than this one. I seem to remember a multi-storied building that was located in a different area than this one. Before I search all of these pages does anyone recall this. Or is this a different project alltogether?

 

correct.  you can see it here:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6860.30.html

 

I believe at the time the thought was to build a hotel with the complex and the tranist center be in the bottom floor of the western half of the complex.  Now it looks like they are saving space to the east of the center for "future development".  But certainly building out the transit center stand alone first prohibits it being a part of a larger structure as previously envisioned.  Too bad.

I like that old design a lot.  The new one is reminiscent of the new downtown bus shelters.  I'm not a fan of that swoopy roof style, looks like someone is making a cheeseburger.  The Q has that problem too, made worse by sitting next to a really attractive ballpark.  Meanwhile, RTA continues to build excellent looking new train stations.  I wish the transit centers could be in that style instead.

 

My burning question about the whole transit center concept, which I understand is still under development, is how this doesn't break one bus system into two.  Interplay between the two centers, and the rail hub in between them, seems crucial and I'm unsure how best to approach it.  My best guess would be to only have one new transit center, particularly since tower city is automatically another one anyway. 

 

Just a few years ago I could take a bus from the west end of Lakewood straight to Shaker Square.  Now that's a 2 seat trip, and it seems like many crosstown journeys will become 3-seaters if there is to be a separate downtown bus hub for each side of town.  It is not clear to me how the healthline will be helpful in linking the two, since it reaches neither proposed site.  I hope the new way to get across town is not: walk to bus stop, ride to Prospect, walk to Euclid, ride to square, walk to warehouse district, ride to west side.  Not every rider is as spry as I.  Hopefully, I've misunderstood the whole plan. 

Thanks for the feedback on the Rapid service. I passed along the info to the Rail Director.

^^ My impression of the project was that the routes that come into downtown from the West side go through Public Square, or around Tower City then take some sort of loop around downtown would now just begin or end their routes at transit center after still going through Public Square/Tower City, and that many of the routes coming in from the East side that already go past here, would still stop here on their way to Public Square/Tower City. Essentially preventing many people from having to change busses at Public Square/Tower City, they could change here instead. Thus for most people it won't be a change in how many seats, just where you would change seats and how comfortable you'd be while waiting. Of course I may be completely misunderstanding this whole project so someone that actually has a clue can feel free to correct me.

I think this speaks for itself....

 

Wow.  You should send the link on Obama's new e-comment page on whitehouse.gov :-D

Regarding the East Side Transit Center was their not an earlier rendering from a couple of years ago that was quite different than this one. I seem to remember a multi-storied building that was located in a different area than this one. Before I search all of these pages does anyone recall this. Or is this a different project alltogether?

 

correct.  you can see it here:

 

 

 

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6860.30.html

 

 

 

 

I believe at the time the thought was to build a hotel with the complex and the tranist center be in the bottom floor of the western half of the complex.  Now it looks like they are saving space to the east of the center for "future development".  But certainly building out the transit center stand alone first prohibits it being a part of a larger structure as previously envisioned.  Too bad.

 

 

Yeah thnx for that, I couldnt find it.

Hey Jerry -

I didn't want to bother you again about it, but after waiting 40 minutes at E. 12th and Superior this morning for an eastbound #9 bus to no avail, I'd like to know if they're actually still running as according to the map during the E. 12th construction.  Thanks :)

 

P.S. - I walked to Euclid and took the healthline instead.  It was my first time, and it was really nice!