Does anybody care?

[David Brainard]

In June of 2010, the RTA suspended all Saturday, Sunday, and Holiday service on the 55 Clifton bus line.
Eliminating week-end service on a major Lakewood thoroughfare seems to have produced nothing more than a big yawn.
I'm beginning to wonder if Lakewood residents give a damn about public transit in general and Lakewood's declining place in the RTA's scheme, specifically.
When it comes to Lakewood, RTA's GM, Joe Calabrese always gets his way.
Calabrese didn't want Circulator service anywhere, regardless how much it was used by local residents. So, in spite of public meetings and protests, the Lakewood Circulator went the way of the streetcar.
Calabrese's seeming enmity against Lakewood; or, perhaps, it's just a case of showing who's boss, continued with the elimination of week-end service on a bus line which serves the most densely populated area of Cleveland's most densely populated suburb.
Two mayors have caved to the whim of this non-elected and unreachable RTA GM.
The lack of protest to RTA's latest blow to Lakewood having a viable public public transportation system makes me wonder if anybody cares .
I have a feeling that some day, someone will care; but by then, efficient public transportation will be but a memory. Once gone, it ain't comin' back.

-30-

[Steve Hoffert]

I care. I'm glad those noisy cancer spewing circulators are gone. I hope they get rid of those ridiculous empty accordion buses too. The entire public transportation system in this county is a joke.

[Edward Favre]

Many people do care. But, RTA is a large, difficult to understand and manage entity. It lacks a progressive vision and has missed the boat on a lot over the years and we see the symptoms in Lakewood.
The circulator was a great idea that was lost. Although I did not regularly use it, I know many residents and students that did. If the busses fouled the air, that is more an issue of vehicle type and maintenance, rather than the service provided.
The often empty hinged busses are too long or too difficult to fit into many bus stops, so they illegally stop in the middle of the street. They are largely not practical in Lakewood.
The train service, RTA's most environmentally friendly operation, has not been expanded in over 40 years. As the customers have spread out, RTA has rebuilt existing stations into huge structures, but has not extended the lines to reach customers.
RTA, along with NOACA and the State of Ohio, continue to miss the commuter rail value and opportunity. Something which other cities and regions all over the county get.

[Edward Favre]

To correct mr previous post, RTA did add the Lakefront Line, during the tenure of the former General Manager. Unfortunately, the demise of the Flat has left it largely unused. Hopefully it figures favorably in the new development.

[Steve Hoffert]

To be fair, I do like the rapid. It's efficient and fun to ride once you make it past the urine encrusted stations. If the city had streetcars I would be more inclined to support public transportation but in its current form it's pretty sad.

[Edward Favre]

If you recall, the Euclid Corridor was originally proposed as a light rail project but ended up glorified busses.