If it ain’t fixed – break it some more. That seems to be the mantra of the RTA. As ridership dwindles and revenues fall, the RTA continues to reduce the number of trains and buses running each day.
While I understand the economics of cutting the frequency of train stops, I don’t understand the lack of communication regarding the new schedules. I ride the train four days a week and never heard any announcements on the train that a new schedule would take effect on June 27th. As of June 30th, the electronic signs at the University Circle and Brookpark stations were still listing the OLD arrival times! Even the RTA doesn’t know their own schedules.
Many of my fellow riders were unaware of the new schedule change. Over the last four days, people have been questioning why the train has been consistently running late. Once I got the new schedule, I realized the trains were actually on time – only nobody new it!
If there are notices of the new schedule in the stations, they are either too small or posted in out-of-the-way places. Another rider pointed out a schedule change notice posted at the front door on one of the trains. I always use the center or rear door so riders like myself who don’t use the front door don’t see that notice.
Bus and train schedules at the stations are hard to get. I use the University Circle (east side exit) and Brookpark stations where schedule holders are non-existent. The schedule holders on the trains are always empty. I was told by a driver to get one at the Terminal Tower. That’s fine if I boarded at that station. Because I don’t, I would have to wait 20 – 30 minutes for the next train and pay another fare – just to get a schedule! Although schedules can be printed from the RTA’s web site, there are many riders who don’t have access to computers nor know how to use the Internet.
If the RTA wants to slow the decline of riders, they need to do a better job of communicating when new schedules go into effect and placing bus/train schedules in the stations and on the buses and trains.
What do you think of the RTA? Please leave your comment below.
