cleveland rapid transit (Lakewood, Euclid, Shaker Heights: transfer, neighborhoods, construction)

[1watertiger]

what are your thoughts, experiences or ideas regarding clevelands light and heavy rail rapid transit system ?

[JR_C]

I've only ridden the Redline (heavy rail?) a few times, and just from Tower City to the W25th stop. So my personal experience is very limited. But, I've been told that it doesn't hold to a reliable schedule. (For example, one might miss one train because it was early, and have to wait 20-30 minutes for the next train because it is late.)

[1watertiger]

anyone have any interesting pictures ? i remember the rapids were "yellow" when i first rode them as a kid.

[TheProf]

It's a mixed bag: Cleveland's rail system is very good when comparing it to similar cities in terms of size, density and economic growth (which, for Cleve's rustbelt region generally is negative). It is fast, serves a good chunk of downtown -- as downtown is so small and easy to navigate on foot, cab or transfer-bus. Many important areas are also connected like all 3 stadiums, the airport, Univ Circle, Ohio City and Shaker Square... Also, easy transfers to connecting buses, as well as the availability of free parking lots at roughly 1/2 the stations, means the rail system is easily reachable to an even wider audience...

The downside is that it is one of the least used, per capita and in actual numbers, of any U.S. rapid rail system. Part of this is due to the moderate to light density of Greater Cleveland; because driving downtown and around the city, even during rush hours, is largely a snap (esp with the abundant freeway network of Cuyahoga County), people often stick with their cars when commuting. This is compounded by the fact the rapid transit system misses some major corridors of population: most notably on the East Side along Euclid Ave to University Circle; a route that originally (in the 80s/90s) was planned for a relocated Red Line combo subway/elevated/surface route, but because of cheapness and lack of vision by transit and local leaders has morphed into the recently opened "Health Line" bus rapid transit.

To keep construction costs lower (probably given the moderate density and city size compared to Chicago, NYC or Boston), Cleveland's rapid transit was built along existing freight railroad routes. This means that much potential for residential and professional office density, has historically been blocked by industrial development which, even given the industrial decline in recent decades, the brownfields and desolation left in the factories' wake has been largely unsuitable for housing or mixed use development. In the areas where TOD development is more probable, the city -- often hampered by the stinky economy as well as stupid infighting and poor vision -- has been slow to develop TOD opportunities. On top of this you have other factors holding down rail rider growth like the fact that Shaker Heights and Shaker Square the original TOD of the 1st light rail lines in the 20s, is old and built out with very little space for increased development. Transit builders of the original Red Line hampered potential further by failing to get a downtown circulator subway built as well as building many stations away from busy street corners a-back of suburban-style surface parking lots. Finally, there's the fact that Cleveland, like it's neighbor Detroit, has focused a ton of energy on suburban sprawl -- malls, lifestyle centers and single-use cul de sac neighborhoods -- far away from many transit lines.

It all adds up to Cleveland's rail, though decent in size and quality of service, being much less relevant and less utilized by regular Cleveland commuters. The system does get heavy use for big special events like Browns football games (where passengers are taken directly to the Stadiums front gate) and St. Patrick’s Day.

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by JR_C

I've only ridden the Redline (heavy rail?) a few times, and just from Tower City to the W25th stop. So my personal experience is very limited. But, I've been told that it doesn't hold to a reliable schedule. (For example, one might miss one train because it was early, and have to wait 20-30 minutes for the next train because it is late.)

Actually, the lightest off-peak Red Line service is every 15 mins. It is also every 15 mins from Tower City to Shaker Sq. on the combined Blue and Green light rail lines. However, from Shaker Square to the ends of the Blue and Green lines, it's every 30 mins. The Waterfront Line, due to cuts and underfunding, has been cut to rush hour and special event service. When the current Flats East Bank development (now on economic hold) is built, it's expected Waterfront Line service will be reestablished.

[1watertiger]

cleveland 1946[IMG]file:///C:/My%20Documents/old%20rapid.jpg[/IMG]

[BelieveInCleve]

Ive been on nearly all the rail lines the entire length, but only a few times each. I thought it was pretty decent, especially for a city Clevelands current size.

Thats about all there is to it. If its convenient for you, than thats a big plus. Its mostly downtown oriented (obviously) but also goes to University Circle and the Airport which is good. One thing I wish they would do is extend it some. I would like to see the waterfront line extend to Euclid or so and a branch off the Red Line go to Lakewood at least. Were pretty lucky to have what we do though.

[jlawrence01]

The biggest problems that I saw with the Cleveland transit in general:

1) Little service on the weekends. If your car breaks down, you cannot rely upon having an transit alternative. And the wait for a cab can be hours even in good weather.

2) It was always hard to get answers. Granted, when I lived in Lakewood a few years back transit websites were not as good as they are today.

[TheProf]

Yeah, jlawrence, you'll need to have some schedules on hand if you're relying on buses on the weekend. Service can get real shoddy, even on major routes. And even then, sometimes it seems that bus schedules are useless... The Rapid (sans the Waterfront line) is pretty reliable though with no more than a 15 min wait, even on Sunday, except on the individual Blue and Gree line branches east of Shaker Square.

[exit18b]

I must say the system only serves/benefits a few. For residents of Shaker it is great (of course it was built for Shaker). I walk down to the end of my block and ride the Rapid to Cavs, Indians, Browns games or to the airport. My only concern is on Browns games, they do not collect the fares all of the time. no wonder there is a whole in the budget