Rider's Digest -- January 2015

 Rider's Digest -- January 2015

Construction work starts soon on Public Square

RTA continues to work with officials from the City of Cleveland, and consultants finalizing the plan for the Public Square re-design. Here are some important dates.

On Jan. 20, the RTA Board of Trustees will hear an update on the project.

In late January, RTA will hold 1-on-1 customer information sessions in the Rotunda of the Tower City Station, with specific information on new bus stop locations and bus routing details. Dates will be announced in the RTA e-newsletter and on-line.

Early February 2015 - May 2016, Ontario Street and Superior Avenue will be closed as through streets during construction. Superior Avenue will likely re-open in spring 2016. Bus and car traffic will share the Public Square perimeter streets.

Background

RTA's goal remains the same: To work with consultants to minimize customer inconvenience during construction and have a public transit-friendly environment when the new Public Square configuration is unveiled in spring 2016.

Every weekday, more than 30,000 customers are served by RTA’s rail hub at the Tower City Station, and 40,000 customers are served by RTA’s bus hub on Public Square. As many as 50 percent of these customers transfer between modes.

Systemwide, 62 percent of all RTA trips are work-related, and 23 percent are education-related.

RTA has had “a seat at the table” for all Public Square discussions.

“We remain optimistic about this great opportunity to make Public Square look better, and work better, for all Clevelanders,” says RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese.

Jan. 9-18: Frozen is hot, as Disney on Ice brings 17 performances to Q

RTA is your best seat for every event at Quicken Loans Arena, including Disney on Ice, Jan. 9-18.

This year’s show focuses on the popular animated movie Frozen, for 17 performances of family entertainment.

This month, Quicken Loans Arena also hosts 5 ice hockey games with the Lake Erie Monsters, and 9 basketball games with the Cavaliers.

Getting to the Q on RTA is convenient, warm, and affordable. Park for free at a Rapid station, and ride in comfort on any Red, Blue or Green Line train. Exit at the Tower City Station, and stroll through the heated Walkway directly to your seat at the Q. You never have to go outside.

The Walkway opens two hours before each event, and closes 90 minutes after an event ends.

The HealthLine offers another riding option, with 24/7 service along Euclid Avenue, from Public Square to East Cleveland. Board the HealthLine at any eastbound station, and exit at the Station near the Horseshoe Casino. Walk through Tower City, and use the Walkway to reach the Arena.

The show may be frozen, but you don’t have to be.

You can ride RTA to two special fun events this month

Ice skating

The Rink at Wade Oval in University Circle is open weekends through March 8.

  • Cost: $3 to rent skates, $2 to skate.
  • Hours: Noon-7 p.m. Saturday: Noon-5 p.m. Sundays and holidays.
  • On RTA: Ride the HealthLine on Euclid Avenue to the Adelbert Station near Severance Hall. The rink is a short walk down East Boulevard.
  • Questions? Call 216-707-5033.www.universitycircle.org

Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

RTA bus and rail service will operate on a regular weekday schedule. RTA offices will be closed, but the RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500, will be staffed from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Many local museums offer free admission or discounts. Most schools are closed, so students have many choices. If you plan to visit more than one museum, you may want to buy an All-Day Pass, which offers unlimited ridership until 3 a.m. the next day.

The Great Lakes Science Center and Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame and Museum offer a free day with special programming, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. To reach these attractions:

Most University Circle museums will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The best access is often from the HealthLine on Euclid Avenue.

Looking back, looking forward, flipping the calendar from 2014 to 2015

RTA enjoyed many successes in 2014, and has many improvements planned for 2015. Here are some of the major ones that had – or will have -- an impact on customers.

Facilities

In 2014, RTA broke ground on new stations at Lee-Van Aken on the Blue Line, and Little Italy-University Circle on the Red Line. Both stations should open in 2015.

RTA opened the new Cedar-University Red Line Station near CWRU – a major bus-to-rail transfer point for thousands of East Side riders.

A study began to examine the best ways to provide transit service in the area near the Rapid stations at East 34th Street and East 79th Street. The discussion continues in 2015.

Construction of the Brookpark Station on the Red Line should begin in 2015 – welcome news for the many riders who use that station daily.

Service

Cleveland State University bought naming rights to a new service in the West Shore area, to help mark its 50th anniversary. The Cleveland State Line began service on Dec. 8.

RTA branded the Ohio City Connector, to make it easier for riders to access the hundreds of buses that go between downtown and that neighborhood each day.

Students at Cuyahoga Community College began enjoying the benefits of a U-Pass program at all 3 campuses.

A total of 90 buses powered by CNG will debut in 2015, protecting the environment even more than RTA’s clean diesel buses.

A bright future

The Republican National Convention plans to hold its 2016 convention here, and RTA will have a seat the table while plans are being made. RTA learned much from hosting the Senior Games in 2013 and the Gay Games in 2014.

RTA also has a seat at the table for planning the re-design of Public Square. Much of the Square will be closed to traffic from early February 2015 to May 2016. RTA’s goal is to keep the Square as transit-friendly as possible, during and after the renovation.

Balancing the budget in a sluggish economy is always challenging, and now there is hope for more funding. Late in 2014, the Ohio Department of Transportation released a study that recommended a large increase in State funding for transit. RTA played a key role in that study, and local officials will work in 2015 to make its recommendations a reality.

RTA’s 2015 budget shows that anticipated revenues will be $15 million greater than expected revenues, as carryover funds will be used. Fares will remain steady, but vacancies in some positions will go unfilled to keep costs down.

FOR YOUR SAFETY: RTA Customer Code of Conduct

  • Pay the required fare for all trips.
  • Allow room for boarding, keep aisles clear.
  • Take only one seat.
  • Use earphones with audio devices.
  • Speak softly on cell phones.
  • Refrain from using profane language.
  • Be considerate to fellow passengers.
  • Follow all posted safety and restriction signage.
  • Place trash in receptacles at stations and stops.
  • Exit through the rear door on buses.

Misconduct on a public transit system is a crime.

Important RTA phone numbers

RTAnswerline (automated 24/7)
Elevator status information

216-621-9500
          
Customer service, complaints & commendations
216-566-5227

Lost and found, Tower City Station
216-566-5148

Paratransit scheduling
216-621-9500
   For an ADA application
216-566-5124

Transit Police 24/7
216-566-5163, Dispatch

To report suspicious activity, call or text
216-575-EYES (3937)

To report fare vending machine issues
216-566-5135

Main Office Building
216-566-5100

Internal Audit, Fraud hotline
216-781-4080