Rider's Digest -- September 2016

 Rider's Digest -- September 2016

Browns & Indians share the spotlight this month

Two Cleveland teams share the sports spotlight this month. Let RTA take you to every game.

Indians -- Ride the Rapid to the Tower City Station, and use the Walkway to reach Progressive Field. The first-place Indians play 16 home games in September. The last regular-season game begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Go Tribe!

Browns -- Avoid the hassles of parking and game-day traffic. Ride RTA to see the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium this fall. You’ll be dropped off right across the street from the Stadium’s Southwest Gate. The Browns play the Chicago Bears at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at FirstEnergy Stadium. And on Sunday, Sept. 18, they host the Baltimore Ravens at 1 p.m.

RTA offers extra rail service before and after every home game. Just park for free near any Rapid Station, buy a $5 Round Trip Pass, and ride into the Tower City Station. Transfer to the Waterfront Line, exit at the West Third Street Station, and you’re there.

If you want to stay downtown to celebrate a victory, remember that most Rapid services operate until around midnight.

Or, ride down Euclid Avenue on the HealthLine. At Public Square, enter Tower City, head for the lower level and transfer to the Waterfront Line.

On Sept. 1, the Waterfront Line will operate until midnight, or later if needed, to help fans heading home. Service begins at 6:30 a.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. on weekends.

Join the tailgate fun with RTA before every home game. Enjoy entertainment, hot dogs and soft drinks at the South Harbor Station of the Waterfront Line. The event starts at 10 a.m. before each Sunday home game. Answer trivia questions and win prizes, as RTA teams up with Mark ‘Munch’ Bishop and ESPN Radio.

To make all your travel plans go smoother, buy your RTA fare media directly from your cell phone with mobile ticketing.

Sept. 3-5: Air Show lands at Burke on Labor Day weekend

For the most efficient and affordable transportation to the Cleveland National Air Show, ride the Waterfront Line to Burke Lakefront Airport.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels jet demonstration team will perform thrilling demonstrations. Gates open daily at 9 a.m. Flying shows begin at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Ride any Rapid line into the Tower City Station, board the Waterfront Line and exit at the North Coast Station on East Ninth Street. From there, it’s a short walk to the Air Show grounds.

The Waterfront Line operates every 15 minutes, from 9 a.m.-midnight.

Several changes set for rail customers

RTA’s rail customers will see several changes this month.

On Sunday, Sept. 11, hours of operation change for light-rail trains. This is part of RTA’s efforts to close a projected $7 million gap in the 2016 operating budget. Public hearings on these changes were held earlier in the year.

  • Green Line: Service will end after 9 p.m.
  • Waterfront Line: Service will end after 7 p.m., except when later service is required for Browns games. Weekday frequency changes to 15 minutes during rush hour and 30 minutes mid-day.

Shutdowns

  • Sept. 10-11: 66R buses will replace Red Line trains west of the Tower City Station.
  • Sept. 24-25: 66R buses will replace Red Line trains east of the Tower City Station, AND 67R buses will replace Blue Line and Green Line trains. The Waterfront Line will operate every 30 minutes. Exact details will be announced later.
  • Sept. 26-30: Red Line trains will operate on a special schedule to allow for bridge work. Schedules will be posted on rideRTA.com.

RTA salutes 4 outstanding operators

RTA recently saluted 4 operators for their outstanding work. Each was recognized as an Operator-of-the-Month. Please join RTA in congratulating them, and if you see them on their route, give them a thumbs up. They appreciate your support.

Rail operator Yalonda Dolman-Kemp helped a lost woman, who was 102 years old. She saw the woman walking down Shaker Blvd. The passenger had gotten off the Green Line at the wrong stop, and was confused. The operator contacted the Control Center, and another employee took the woman to her destination.

Walter Bray, a bus operator from the Triskett District, was saluted for compiling an outstanding safety record. He has not had any preventable accidents since becoming an operator 29 years ago, on July 3, 1987. Bray is known as a dependable operator – he rarely takes sick days, and is always safe and reliable, his supervisors say.

Robert Miller, another bus operator from Triskett, was saluted for compiling an extraordinary record over the past 38 years. He has received numerous commendations from his passengers for providing top-notch, reliable customer service, and for recognizing the efforts of his co-workers. He is known for his pleasant demeanor. He is courteous and always smiling. Supervisors say Miller is safe, reliable and professional. He has not had a preventable accident since 2005, has been absent only four times in the last three years, and comes to Triskett each day ready to work.

Corde Barnwell of the Triskett District was saluted for his exemplary customer service and excellent driving ability. One customer from KeyBank wrote: “He is the bestest! The mold was broken when he came on board. There are not enough adjectives to describe this extraordinary young man.” An operator since 1999, he has had only 3 preventable accidents in the past 18 years.

Sept. 23-25: IngenuityFest eyes new venue

IngenuityFest – a free festival of art, music and technology – moves out of Downtown for the first time this year. The colorful, creative event will be held in the former Osborne Industrial Complex, 5401 Hamilton Ave., in the St Clair-Superior neighborhood, just east of Downtown. Hours are:

  • 5 p.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23.
  • Noon-1 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.
  • Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.

The 1 bus route on St. Clair Avenue serves the festival site 24/7. The 3 bus route on Superior Avenue also operates 24/7, but it is a short walk from the Ingenuity site. You can pay for your RTA fare with the new mobile ticketing.

For Your Safety -- School’s back in session

School is back in session. Many students ride the bus to and from school. Here are some tips to help keep the trips as safe as possible.

  • Allow the elderly and people with disabilities to use the priority seating in the front of the bus.
  • If a passenger in a wheelchair boards and you are seated at a wheelchair lock-down location, please move to another area.
  • When the bus is in motion, hold on to the railings and steady yourself to prevent falls.
  • Stand clear of doorways whenever possible.
  • Stand behind the line located on the floor opposite the driver.
  • Do not talk to the bus operator while the bus is moving. Wait until the bus has stopped, so that you do not distract the operator.
  • Keep your legs and personal items close to your seat, to prevent a tripping hazard.
  • Keep the seat next to you open for other passengers.
  • Keep your arms inside the bus window at all times.
  • Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
  • Relax and enjoy your ride, but remain vigilant. Guard your purse, electronic devices and other belongings. People-watching is a benefit of riding transit, but there are some types of behavior that should be watched with suspicion.
  • Electronic devices are for your listening pleasure. Use earphones and keep the volume low, so that others cannot hear it.
  • Eating and drinking are not permitted. Help reduce trash and discarded food, which are a nuisance to other riders.
  • Pull / push the stop-request bell to signal the operator that you intend to get off the bus. Do this well in advance of your stop.