Topic: Greater Akron METRO (RTA) News & Discussion

[KJP]

http://www.akron.com/20050526/wsl5.ASP

May 26, 2005
Leader Online

Bath residents continue to fight METRO site 
By Anne Dennée

BATH — Calling themselves the Neighbors for Responsible Land Use, a group of Bath residents have officially formed in opposition to METRO Regional Transit Authority’s plans to construct a Park and Ride facility at the intersection of Sourek and Ghent roads. On May 23, the group not only spoke out against METRO’s plans at the Bath Township Board of Trustees meeting, but they also filed an administrative appeal in Summit County Common Pleas Court to the conditional-use permit that was granted to METRO to allow the facility to be constructed at that site.

.......

[buildingcincinnati]

Thanks for posting...I've been reading about this saga for a while now.

These residents need to get a clue.  It's a park and ride, not a methadone clinic.

[RiverViewer]

Yeah, it's hard to take concerns regarding the environmental impacts very seriously when you're talking about public freakin' transportation...like, is the alternative really that much better for the environment?

[RiverViewer]

Besides which, how much traffic does that strip of Ghent throughput in a day?  That road was busy when I used to frequent Summit Mall, and that was 15 years ago...I can only imagine now...35-75 cars parked there between 7am and 7pm will be an utterly unnoticeable drop in the bucket.

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 7/13/05 Akron Beacon Journal:


Metro RTA union clears strike
Members hope for talks in 10-day notice period; management will review state fact-finding report
Beacon Journal staff report

The union representing Metro Regional Transit Authority mechanics and other workers is prepared to strike after rejecting a fact-finder's report.

Phil Zannella Jr., business representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said a strike authorization vote Sunday was nearly unanimous. Zannella said the 41 union members understand that Metro faces a difficult climate in which it is cutting service and increasing fares, and the members hope negotiations can resume within the 10-day strike-notification period.

............

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/12120424.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

[buildingcincinnati]

Plan B.  From the 8/4/05 Akron Beacon Journal:


Metro to operate if workers strike
Board authorizes funds for temporary employees in case bus mechanics, others head for picket line
By Mary Kay Quinn
Beacon Journal staff writer

Metro Regional Transit Authority took steps Wednesday to keep operating in the event of a strike by mechanics and other workers.

The Metro RTA board authorized Executive Director Robert K. Pfaff to spend up to $350,000 to contract with a company that would provide temporary workers, Pfaff said.

.........

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/12300194.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

[J. Dub]

Ahhh!!!  It's the attack of the NIMBY's!!! 




Posted on Wed, Aug. 10, 2005
 
 
Battle over bus lot


Protesters block equipment

Neighbors prevent workers from clearing trees at site of Metro Park and Ride lot

By Mary Kay Quinn

Beacon Journal staff writer


A septic-service truck sent waves of excitement through the Bath Township residents gathered on Sourek Road.

It was 8 a.m. Tuesday, and 12 early birds had been waiting nearly an hour for their chance to block bulldozers hired by Metro Regional Transit Authority.

One member of Neighbors for Responsible Land Use/Government, Kim Bell, had hoped the citizens scared off the bulldozers that would clear land for Metro's new Park and Ride lot.

When the truck passed and the citizens saw that it was bearing sludge and not bulldozers, Don Primm could only joke: ``If we could get him to dump.''

...........

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/12346409.htm

[KJP]

I hope one of the bulldozers runs them over. The gene pool would be greatly upgraded.

Let's see...we prefer to poison our air with the fumes from dozens of cars (vs. one bus), prefer more sprawl (instead of less impervious land from having to build even more parking lots for their auto-centric lifestyles) and keep more cars off the road (instead of putting commuters on transit). And, hey, since I don't have anything better to protest, let's protest that (and compare this park-and-ride to Auschwitz). Just when I thought people couldn't get anymore stupid, I see this article.

>> Bill Gribble, who helped block the truck, said he wasn't afraid during the standoff.
``I've done stupider things,'' he said.

Whoops, I was wrong! I'd love to hear what even dumber things he's done (not really -- I want to have some hope for mankind).

When I get bummed out about the direction of mankind, it's usually because of people in stories like these, whose already limited perspective and understanding of the world has been corroded by years of sucking on the exhaust from their SUVs, while driving their kids those long three blocks of bumper-to-bumper torture in suburban wasteland to soccer practice. If they don't like big-ass parking lots -- move OUT of the suburbs to the city! Buy a bicycle and a transit pass! Abandon your wasteful, resource consuming lifestyles! Repent O' Ye Lost Souls of Suburbia!

KJP

[J. Dub]

Posted on Thu, Aug. 11, 2005
 

Work to proceed at RTA site

Judge refuses Bath Township residents' request to halt construction of Park and Ride lot

By Mary Kay Quinn

Beacon Journal staff writer


Bath Township residents who oppose a Park and Ride lot at Ghent and Sourek roads were unsuccessful Wednesday in gaining a court order to halt construction.

Tree cutting and other work will proceed, representatives of Metro Regional Transit Authority said after lawyers met with Judge Judy Hunter in Summit County Common Pleas Court.

Opponents agreed to stay off Metro's property and the three roads that surround it, said Amie Bruggeman, an attorney for Metro. About 30 residents staged a vigorous protest Tuesday, at times blocking workers who were attempting to unload heavy equipment.

..............

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/12355601.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is great news!   I know someone who takes this bus up to Cleveland for work everyday; I would have really hated to seen the service discontinued if they were not able to build on the site. 

I wish I could take this service to work each day; unfortunately, they do not have pick up or drop off anywhere near my job.  I have to commute from Akron to eastern Cuyahoga County daily.  The price of gas is putting a beat down on my wallet!

[KJP]

Good to hear this news. I failed to notice in yesterday's article that the flatliners used their SUVs to block construction vehicles. Wow....

I don't think I've ever heard such illogical behavior from such allegedly responsible people. But being an addict (in this case to their oil-dependent lifestyles) makes people do all sorts of counterproductive, even self-destructive things.

KJP

[clvlndr]

At least there's someone on brain food down in Summit aside from the Akron Metro folks.  These Bath-yayhoos sound as from the same ilk as the folks who blocked/killed the initial/sensible NS, C-A-C commuter rail proposal a few years ago.  I could be wrong, but killing Cleve-Akron Metro bus service would seemingly put a serious crimp into ever getting C-A-C commuter rail -- CVSR or otherwise... so for now, I say, 3 cheers for Judge Judy Hunter!!  

[buildingcincinnati]

Looks like they worked things out.  From the 8/12/05 Akron Beacon Journal:


Metro, bus mechanics reach deal
Union to vote Sunday on tentative agreement that may prevent strike
By Mary Kay Quinn
Beacon Journal staff writer

A tentative labor agreement has been reached between Metro Regional Transit Authority and a union representing mechanics and others, apparently preventing a threatened strike.

The union, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, is scheduled to vote on the contract Sunday, said Molly K. Becker, Metro's director of communications and marketing.


.........

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/12367525.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

[KJP]

People like these flatliners in Bath make me wonder if mankind can cope with the peak oil crisis. I've seen a lot of deer-in-the-headlights looks on people's faces in the last few days.

Speaking of which, does anyone want to buy my 2001 Hyundai Tiburon? It's a black sports coupe with leather interior, stick shift, XM satellite radio/CD player, sun roof, etc. Only serious offers should reply!

KJP

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 11/10/05 Leader Online:


Bath residents ask trustees to join lawsuit against Akron
By Anne Dennée

BATH — Members of Neighbors for Responsible Land Use and Government (NFRLUG) are continuing their fight against METRO Regional Transit Authority’s construction of a Park and Ride facility at the intersection of Sourek and Ghent roads.

At the Nov. 7 Bath Township Board of Trustees meeting, Bath residents Michelle Primm, Michael Carrino and Mike Bell requested the township join NFRLUG in a lawsuit filed against the city of Akron.

.....



http://www.akron.com/20051110/wsl5.asp

[J. Dub]

^ I am thouroghly sick to death with these people.  It's a frickin bus stop that will only be in use during the morning and evening rush hours.

[KJP]

Oh, but it might bring in those people!

[J. Dub]

This is becoming a common theme.

From the Akron Beacon Journal 1/26/2006


Metro fares to rise in June
General fare to increase 25 cents. Changes will add $250,000 in revenue over six months, in part to offset higher fuel costs
By Mary Kay Quinn
Beacon Journal staff writer

To offset rising fuel costs, Metro Regional Transit Authority will raise seven types of fares, including its general fare, in June.

The general fare will increase 25 cents, to $1.25. The Metro board approved the fare structure Wednesday.

The increases should add $250,000 in revenue over six months, Finance Director Dean Harris said. Total fare revenue is $3.5 million a year, he said.

Eliminating free transfers last summer raised $300,000 from June to December.

...........

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/13715681.htm

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 5/30/06 Akron Beacon Journal:


Metro fares will go up a quarter, starting Sunday
Rising costs cited in first fare increase in 11 years
By Mary Kay Quinn
Beacon Journal staff writer
 
Many Metro Regional Transit Authority passengers will begin paying an extra quarter Sunday, the first general fare increase in 11 years.

It is part of a package of fare changes that were first discussed early last year. Several other changes, including the elimination of free transfers, took effect last June.

..........


http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/14697151.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

[J. Dub]

From the Akron Beacon Journal  5/31/2006

Akron plans new bus terminal
$15 million station will replace downtown depot on crowded Main Street
By John Higgins
Beacon Journal staff writer


The Metro Regional Transit Authority plans to build a $15 million bus transfer terminal at the corner of Bartges Street and South Broadway on about 4 acres of city-owned land that Akron is donating to the project to leverage federal money.

The new terminal would replace Main Street as the primary location where passengers change buses.

..........


http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/14705043.htm

[KJP]

If I remember right, the bus station is also located where it could be served by commuter trains someday.

[J. Dub]

^ Your correct, there are set a tracks that run parrallel to this site.  I still hope commuter rail between Akron and Cleveland someday becomes a reality (I'd certainly use it!)

[noozer]

Metro makes the transfer
An improved gathering point for all those buses
Akron Beacon Journal Editorial

Take a busy downtown block, say between Bowery and Mill streets. Add several buses, a few hundred high school students on their way home in the afternoon, the usual mix of foot traffic and cars and what have you got? A real mess.

For nearly 20 years the Metro Regional Transit Authority has been using that block as a central gathering point for people transferring bus routes. When it first opened, downtown congestion was much less of a concern than was bringing people downtown. Over the years vehicular and pedestrian traffic grew and now has reached a tipping point. What's more, the reluctance of many to make transfers downtown late at night because of safety concerns turned the continued presence of the Metro depot into a problem instead of a solution.

......

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/editorial/14732625.htm

[CornerCurve]

Electric trolley buses created quite a hum in Akron transportation 65 years ago
By Mark J. Price
Beacon Journal staff writer

Electric trolley buses provided the spark that Akron needed to modernize its public transportation system in November 1941.

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/living/15987679.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

[Robert Pence]

Trolley buses are great. Fort Wayne lost the last of their routes in 1960; when I moved here in 1958 for my first time out on my own, the bus line that I rode to work was a trolley bus. My street, Columbia Avenue, was a quiet residential street before the city made it part of a one-way pair, and on snowy mornings the bus was almost noiseless as it came down the street. The only sound it made was the air compressor kicking on every couple of blocks to pump up the air brakes. The ride was quiet and smooth, and the acceleration was pretty fast; they could beat most cars of the era away from a stoplight, and if you weren't in a seat, you'd best hang on to the overhead bar.

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 1/6/07 ABJ:


Metro RTA to solicit ideas for transfer site
Larger site for bus terminal to give room to grow
By John Higgins
Beacon Journal staff writer

The Metro Regional Transit Authority will discuss plans next week to build a $16.3 million bus transfer terminal at East Bartges Street and South Broadway.

Construction on the new center -- which will sit on about eight acres of city-donated property east of South Broadway -- is scheduled to start in 2008 and should be open in two years.

..........

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16397634.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

[noozer]

Construction begins for new transit hub
$17.2 million facility for downtown bus transfers to open in January 2009. Space to have art exhibits

By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007

One of the spots where huge piles of snow from Akron streets were dumped in past winters is being transformed into Akron's mass-transit hub.

When Akron's new Intermodal Transportation Center opens in January 2009, it will be where all Metro Regional Transit bus transfers are made.

The authority broke ground for the $17.2 million glass and steel facility on 8.4 acres of property at South Broadway and East Bartges Street on Monday morning. About $12.4 million of the cost is from federal funds, and the Ohio Department of Transportation is providing $2 million, which is also federal money. The city of Akron contributed the land, appraised at about $2.3 million, for the center. The remaining funding comes from local sources.

............

http://www.ohio.com/news/10732666.html?page=all&c=y 

[noozer]

Metro to propose March tax-hike vote
Cuts to be needed unless issue passes, officials say

By Phil Trexler
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007

Metro RTA officials say riders will see dramatic cuts next year unless voters approve a sales tax increase being proposed for March.

The cuts under consideration for 2008 and 2009 are dropping weekend and SCAT bus service, eliminating several routes and employing fewer drivers.

Metro says it is facing a $1.3 million budget shortfall for 2008 and another $2 million in 2009. Primarily supported by taxpayers, Metro currently operates on a

.............

http://www.ohio.com/news/11880261.html 

[KJP]

METRO Board Approves METRO to Seek Sales Tax in 2008 –

METRO & METRO SCAT Plan for Cuts and Service Elimination

METRO RTA Board of Trustees considered two actions this morning. First, they approved a resolution to go on the ballot in March of 2008 for a sales tax increase of one quarter of one percent.  The second was to conduct public meetings to determine the impact of cutting service. METRO has had no new sales tax revenue since 1990.

Since 2000 METRO has experienced a 55 percent decrease in state funding, has had a triple digit increase in fuel costs, at the same time insurance costs have doubled and sales tax receipts have been lower then predicted and have not kept up with inflation. 

METRO has been fiscally responsible, raising bus fares by 60 percent, cutting more than 30 percent of service, eliminating 52 employees, and freezing wages for more than three years. METRO is facing a $1.8 million deficit in 2008 and $1 million in 2009. Without additional income, METRO and METRO SCAT will be facing some of the most critical service cuts of its history, including eliminating up to 50 additional positions in 2008.

“This is one of the most difficult times in our history. METRO provides vital transportation to individuals each day so they can get to work, to school, to shop and to medical appointments. Older adults, person with disabilities and many people with limited incomes rely heavily on METRO to maintain independence; without METRO these folks could be homebound, unemployed and unable to get to vital medical appointments,”  stated Robert Pfaff, METRO Executive Director. “With gas prices and inflation rising, driving is not an option or choice for many of our passengers,” continued Pfaff.

In public meetings to be held in December, METRO is proposing the following cuts in service:



METRO will be conducting a series of public meetings in December, followed by public hearings in January, to gather input on the proposed cuts and their impacts on individuals, businesses, workers and employers in our community. Meetings will be held across the county.  Meeting times are available online at www.akronmetro.org or persons can call 330.564.2258 to get a weekly listing of meetings. Interested individuals can also comment on the changes both on-line and through a special dedicated phone line at 330-564-2257.

If the sales tax is passed, a quarter of one percent sales tax increase would equate to 25 cents on a $100 taxable purchase. It is expected that an increase in the sales tax could generate $15 million in additional revenue for the transit authority.

METRO RTA is the public transportation provider for Summit County.  Twenty-one thousand times each day, METRO transports residents to medical care, work, school and other necessary trips.

Route Restructures Spring 2008

Meetings Dates and Locations

LOCATION       DATE       TIME[/b]

1 NORDONIA HILLS Monday, 12/3/07 6:30pm-8:30pm
9458 Olde Eight Rd.
Northfield, OH 44067
330-467-8595

2 DOWNTOWN LIBRARY Tuesday, 12/4/07 10:00am-12:00pm
60 S High St.
Akron, OH 44326
330-643-9000

3 HIGHLAND SQUARE Wednesday, 12/5/07 10:00am-12:00pm
807 W Market St.
Akron, OH 44303
330-376-2927

4 RICHFIELD LIBRARY Thursday, 12/6/07 2:30pm-4:30pm
3761 S Grant St.
Richfield, OH 44286
1-330-659-4343

5 Twinsburg Community Ctr Thursday, 12/6/07 6:00pm-8:00pm
8776 Harvard Rd.
Twinsburg, OH 44087
330-425-4432

6 CUYAHOGA FALLS LIBRARY Friday, 12/7/07 10:00am-12:00pm
2015 Third St.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
330-928-2117

7 BARBERTON LIBRARY Friday, 12/7/07 2:00pm-4:00pm
602 W Park Ave.
Barberton, OH 44203
330-745-1194

8 GOODYEAR BRANCH Monday, 12/10/07 10:00am-12:00pm
60 Goodyear Blvd.
Akron, OH 44305
330-784-7522

9 TALLMADGE LIBRARY Tuesday, 12/11/07 1:00pm-3:00pm
90 Community Rd.
Tallmadge, OH 44278
330-633-4345

10 ELLET LIBRARY Wednesday, 12/12/07 1:00pm-3:00pm
2470 E Market St.
Akron, OH 44312
330-784-2019

11 FIRESTONE LIBRARY Thursday, 12/13/07 10:00am-12:00pm
1486 Aster Ave.
Akron, OH 44301
330-724-2126

12 NORTH HILL LIBRARY Thursday, 12/13/07 1:00pm-3:00pm
183 E Cuyahoga Falls Ave.
Akron, OH 44310
330-535-9423

13 DOWNTOWN LIBRARY Thursday, 12/13/07 6:00pm-8:00pm
60 S High St.
Akron, OH 44326
330-643-9000

14 GREEN LIBRARY Friday, 12/14/07 2:00pm-4:00pm
4046 Massillon Rd.
Uniontown, OH 44685
330-896-7074

15 KENMORE COMM CTR Monday, 12/17/07 2:00pm-4:00pm
880 Kenmore Blvd.
Akron, OH 44314
330-375-2812

16 FAIRLAWN BATH LIBRARY Monday, 12/17/07 6:00pm-8:00pm
3101 Smith Rd.
Akron, OH 44333
330-666-4888

17 MAPLE VALLEY Tuesday, 12/18/07 10:00am-12:00pm
1187 Copley Rd.
Akron, OH 44320
330-864-5721

18 NORTHWEST AKRON Tuesday, 12/18/07 5:00pm-7:00pm
1720 Shatto Ave.
Akron, OH 44313
330-836-1081

[J. Dub]

Wow, those are some pretty significant cuts... no weekend service .  Hopefully the public will pass the levy; that would also hurt senior citizens and those that are disabled that use the SCAT buses.

[urbanpreppie05]

And I thought service was bad now...yikes.

[noozer]

As long as public transit is grossly underfunded in Ohio's cities, we will get what we pay for... and what we don't pay for.

[noozer]

Running on empty
The Metro bus system faces a familiar financial squeeze. Those caught in the middle? The most vulnerable
Akron Beacon Journal Editorial
Published on Sunday, Dec 02, 2007


The public bus system in the Akron area is dangerously close to running on empty. With multimillion-dollar deficits projected for the next two years, officials at the Metro Regional Transit Authority last week decided to turn to taxpayers, proposing a sales tax increase for the March 4 primary ballot. Starting this week, public meetings will be held to explain the impact of the cuts necessary should voters reject the issue.

The authority has proposed a 0.25 percentage point increase in the Summit
.............

Find this article at:
http://www.ohio.com/editorial/opinions/12029446.html 

[Sherman Cahal]

As long as public transit is grossly underfunded in Ohio's cities, we will get what we pay for... and what we don't pay for.

And when ridership drops because of all the cuts, those same people will start b!tch!ng about how much money the transit system wastes.

We had a similar thing happen with LEXTRAN. Ridership dropped after funding was cut by the city and state, and weekend service was let go. The city passed an increase in some tax to fund LEXTRAN, and now we have not only weekend service, but neighborhood collectors and record ridership that is increasing 20-30% each month.

*sigh*

[noozer]

Ride to work
The indispensable role of a healthy Metro in the regional economy

Published on Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008
Akron beacon Journal Editorial

Imagine the closing of a local factory that employed 3,600 people. A community the size of Akron, Canton, even Cleveland would reel from the economic and the psychological blow.

Now think about the 3,600 people who depend on the Metro Regional Transit Authority to get to work each week day. The comparison isn't exact, but no one should doubt the harm to the business climate in this area if employees lost the option of traveling conveniently to their jobs via the bus.

.........

Find this article at:
http://www.ohio.com/editorial/opinions/13519682.html 

[noozer]

CHRISSIE HYNDE THINKS METRO IS SPECIAL
Rocker goes on roll for RTA
Pretenders leader joins transit system backers in support of sales tax hike on March 4 ballot

By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008

Akron rocker Chrissie Hynde rode a bus to add some star power to the campaign for a sales tax increase for Metro Regional Transit Authority.

Public transportation is ''what makes a city a city,'' Hynde said shortly after she arrived Monday morning in downtown Akron with other tax supporters, carrying a mix of homemade and official Metro RTA signs promoting the tax issue on the March 4 ballot.

''If you feel you have to have a car (to get around), you feel trapped,'' she said.

....... 

Find this article at:
http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/15757177.html