Earlier times for some Saturday routes Nov. 21

EMTA Director of Fixed Route Operations Ed Torres tells me some EMTA Saturday routes will begin earlier starting November 21.

Below are the earlier start times:   
3   - 7:00am
21 - 6:35am
25 - 7:55am
28 - 7:30am
30 - 7:55am

Millcreek Mall 1 & 3 changes

There is some confusion about what is going on with the weekday changes of Routes 1 and 3. I was one of those confused people.

I had two people patiently explain the changes to me, and I couldn't quite follow it. I looked over the new schedule and still was not clear on what was going on. So when Ed Torres said it's basically like the old Route 9, I dug out an old 2005 schedule and checked out the old Route 9 schedule.

It shows that Route 9 was basically alternating Peach and Cherry, and they marked each trip with a P or a C (I don't know what the other letter stood for, so let's not get sidetracked).

So, back in the present, it looks like for Route 3, one trip goes via Peach, next trip Cherry, next trip Peach, next trip Cherry... etc. Also, the trip between Mall and Summit looks like it's pretty much the same.

As for Saturdays...If you need to make the trip on Saturday, consult both the 1 and the 3 to find out what is going on with that. There is a separate schedule for Route 1 service (It is for Saturday only).

I like the old  format better for this kind of schedule, and I'm going to ask Ed to consider using it if they plan on keeping this alternating Peach and Cherry thing going for any length of time. I think that is easier to follow that than having Cherry in red ink, which is going to be lost on the paper schedules since they print those in black and white.

Anyway, I hope this is the correct understanding of what is going on with the 1 & 3 changes. If incorrect, please let me know and I will clear it up.

New Route 3 schedule  

New Route 1 schedule 

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGES 

Old Route 9 schedule (from 2005) shows how the trips alternate between Peach and Cherry

Current (3/28/2020) Route 3 schedule. Cherry Street is shown in red

Current (8/28/2020) Route 1.

Pandemic bike shortage

Bike rack at WalMart Summit location 8/28/2020

During the pandemic, we've become used to empty shelves.
I took this photo at the bike rack at WalMart in Summit. I asked an associate if this was pandemic related and she said yes. I asked if they would be getting more anytime soon, and she said she couldn't answer that. Same story at the Elm Street location. -
Some of it is  fear of public transportation in a pandemic. But it also has to do with supply chains. An interesting article from Marketplace: Bike shortage is a tale of changed lives and disrupted supply chains 

EMTA county route changes

Changes to LAKE CITY/GIRARD, NORTH EAST, EDINBORO. Click on links for route schedule.
Changes take effect August 29, 2020.

LAKE CITY/GIRARD/FVW 

Good news --2 routes to choose from now

• Route 229 now goes to Lake City, Girard, and Fairview weekdays. Where it stops: "Similar to Albion route. Except bus does not travel to route 18. So Fairview and Girard at the corners. Passengers should wave to drivers if they are waiting at a corner to get picked up." Ed Torres, EMTA Fixed Route Operations
• Route 12  looks the same. 

NORTH EAST Route 16

Route 16 now has four trips during the week..
Note: Janet Miller and South Lake have been cut from route but will go there by request (call dispatch 814-452-3515) 

EDINBORO Route 14

Route 14 has an early weekday trip added (leave Erie 6:30am) for 4 total weekday trips. All times changed, check times. Saturdays look the same to me, but check it out.

Mike Onda Beach at Edinboro Lake 
Photo:  Deb Spilko

North East route adds two trips

EMTA's North East run will add back two weekday trips, leaving Erie at  7:20am 11:20am  2:30 pm 6:20pm and leaving North East   8:20am 12:20pm 3:30pm 7:20pm

Also looks like Janet Miller Building (police academy) and South Lake cut from the route, but they will accommodate by request (call Dispatch 814-452-3515)

Saturday is same. Schedule takes effect August 29, 2020

Check schedule here 

Mall routes and other changes

If you use the Mall buses check out the upcoming changes. (effective Aug 29, 2020)

Route 1

https://ride-the-e.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Route-1_August-2020.pdf 

Route 3

https://ride-the-e.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Route-3_August-2020.pdf  

Check other changes here https://ride-the-e.com/routes-2/

Pandemic Layoffs at EMTA

This is an update on driver layoffs. The EMTA employees already know about this, so I’m directing at riders and others.

▪️On Monday July 27 the drivers union and EMTA reached an agreement about pandemic-related layoffs.
▪️Service wont be affected by the layoffs, though some drivers livelihoods definitely will be.
▪️22 drivers will be on layoff.
▪️The decision about who gets to stay appears to be completely about seniority.
▪️In March of this year, largely because of the pandemic, ridership dropped by 85%. Service had to be cut and 39 drivers were laid off.
▪️Company has called back approximately 17.
▪️The agreement was hammered out and arrived at between union and company.
▪️Although the rider support and concern were appreciated by affected drivers, it is hard to imagine that in this particular issue they could have made a difference, because of what the parties had to work with.
▪️As I understand it, the drivers who are laid off may still be called back within 24 months?
▪️Very sorry for those who are among the laid off at this time. Hopefully this whole situation that caused this will be turned around soon. 🙏
~deb

~~~~~~

Note: The agreement between ATU Local 568 and EMTA is a bit more detailed than this. However, as I said, this was written for riders, and I wrote it for ease of understanding what was going on. Also, I know the company and union describe the agreement a little differently than the other, and I tried to stay as basic as I could. ~deb

New EMTA shelter schedules easier to read

New shelter schedules are easy to read and finally in numerical order!

New EMTA Schedules 6/13; Saturday service returns

The new schedules are posted online now side by side with the ones that are current. 

In the new schedules, what you see is what you get.. weekday schedule is listed as weekday schedule and Saturday schedule is Saturday schedule. No more "conversions"

The paper schedules should be ready this week. Ed said that if you need one immediately you can go to the EMTA and they will run off a copy for you 

If you want to click on the schedules go to their website here https://ride-the-e.com/routes-2/ 

The image below is just a screenshot so it's not interactive

Update: Situation for riders & walkers at Peach & Kuntz

Just making you aware of the situation at Peach and Kuntz as of May 20th, 2020. Somebody complained there were no provisions for walkers and cyclists. Actually there are. See photos. Also just an update.

🔸Sidewalk construction on Peach.
🔸Pedestrian detour (west side of Peach)
🔸Wait for bus at shelter in front of FedEx plaza. Routes 1 and 3
🔸Do not wait at corner closest to Peach and Kuntz, as it is a congested mess.

Sidewalk detour with safety barrier.

Situation at Peach & Kuntz

Just making you aware of the situation at Peach and Kuntz as of May 20th, 2020.

• Sidewalk construction on Peach.
• Pedestrian detour (west side of Peach)
• Wait for bus at shelter in front of FedEx plaza. 
• Do not wait at corner closest to Peach & Kuntz, as it is a congested mess. 

EMTA DETOURS Routes 1 & 21

Route 1  

Peach & Kuntz closed till ?

Outbound  Kuntz to Washington  to  54th  to Peach to Millcreek Mall.  Inbound  Reverse the outbound directions.

~~~

Route 21    

Main and Water will be closed until ?. Bus will not travel over Main Street

 Outbound  instead of using Water street the bus will continue on Iroquois to Nagle then regular route.
Inbound Reverse the outbound directions.

Via Ed Torres, EMTA Director of Operations

Cleveland buses install floor to ceiling barriers

Cleveland buses now protect their drivers with barriers made of optically clear, marine grade vinyl. Barriers are custom cut to provide a secure enclosure that extends from the back of the driver's seat to the front windshield and from ceiling to floor, between the seat and the fare box. Double-sided Velcro is being used to position the vinyl in place.

This barrier will serve to protect both operators and customers from any transfer of droplets and offers an added layer of protection for everyone while on board,” said RTA Chief Operating Officer, Floun’say Caver.

“We were able to quickly purchase a high-quality vinyl covering, similar to what is used on boats or on rear windshields on convertibles or jeeps,” Caver said. “Because it is a compressed vinyl, visibility is very good and sun glare is not an issue for the driver.”

Full RTA press release

Response from Clevelanders for Public Transport 

Photo: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

Bus-Hole. Pandemic version

• Stands next to driver even though he's supposed to be 6 ft back.
• Only rider without a face covering. No health excuse ... "just don't like 'em."
• Driver offered him a mask he responds "Nah, I don't want that!"
• Driver's barrier keeps swinging out so rider repeatedly pushes it back with his grubby paws. 
• Insists on leaving out front door, even though there's no mobility issue

Please don't be a bus-hole!

Peach & Kuntz sidewalk constructiion

If you use the stop at Peach St. and Kuntz Road you should know that there will be construction for the early part of May 2020.

They are finally putting in a sidewalk in that dangerous stretch between Wendy's and the bridge. Also there will be a sidewalk built on Kuntz Road.

The Peach Street work is supposed to start on May 4th. The Kuntz Road work is supposed to start on May 11th.

Ed Torres at EMTA says at this point riders can continue using the Peach and Kuntz stop for Routes 1 and 3. If the construction becomes too problematic riders for both routes should use the shelter just a little to the north of Peach and Kuntz. If Kuntz Road becomes a problem for Route 1, they will probably detour using the next cross street to the north.

Construction on Peach begins May 4

Construction on Kuntz begins May 11

Transit driver coronavirus risk

Youngstown area transit has riders enter through the back door and riding free. Detroit's bus service shut down for a day over lack of driver protection.
As the coronavirus roles on, it is demonstrating that transit drivers are placed in a situation of some serious exposure.
Here are actions and statements related to those concerns:

"Bus Drivers on 'the Front Lines' for Coronavirus Don't Have Safety Equipment" (Vice, Mar 17, 2020) "Bus drivers are making sure health care workers, first responders and grocery store workers can still get where they need to go. But they need to stay healthy to keep doing that."

"DDOT bus drivers refusing to drive routes with coronavirus concerns; service shut down" (Click On Detroit, Mar 17, 2020) "Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced DDOT bus service will be shut down Tuesday. This is due to the driver shortage. Duggan said the drivers expressed concerns including the health of passengers, the cleanliness of buses and how they have lost access to public restrooms."

"ATU Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)" (ATU, Mar 3, 2020) Amalgamated Transit Union Statement and recommendations. "ATU members interact with the public on a daily basis and are at a heightened risk of contracting the coronavirus and other communicable diseases. This requires that we be vigilant, be prepared and come together; and avoid panicking and resorting to fearmongering."

Free Fares on ALL WRTA Buses Until Further Notice  (Western Reserve Transit Authority, Mar 17, 2020) Mahoning area buses will board passengers via back door and forego payment of fares to keep the public away from drivers.

"Montebello to run fewer buses as result of coronavirus" (Whittier Daily News, Mar 17, 2020) "Responding to Montebello bus drivers’ concerns about getting infected with the new coronavirus, the City Council on Monday voted to cut back the number of bus lines, along with some other measures to ensure safety."

"‘We Need Help’: RTD Drivers Claim To Be Ill-Equipped For Coronavirus Protection" (CBSN Denver Mar 13, 2020) '“I’m 58 years old, I’m on the hit list of not recovering, but dying,” Lelesz said. “We need help.”'

Coronavirus: Bus and train drivers will no longer accept cash fares  (Irish Times Mar 12, 2020)  Irish transit workers union says its members will no longer accept cash from passengers over fears arising from the spread of the coronavirus.

March Events

MARCH EVENTS

Mar 18 - National Transit Driver Appreciation Day    
Mar 19 - Quality Assurance Committee   1:00 pm 2nd fl. of Intermodal Transportation Center- 208 E Bayfront Pkwy, Erie, PA. Hosted by EMTA
Mar 21 - Minor schedule changes on EMTA routes 12 (Albion), 14 (Edinboro) and 25 (Wesleyville)
Mar 30  - EMTA Board Meeting   5:30 p.m. 2nd Floor of Erie Intermodal Transportation Center 208 E Bayfront Pkwy Erie, PA. All meetings are open to the general public.

ALSO
Mar 31 - “Motherload”  Screening     (“See how cargo bikes are revolutionizing daily life around the world! This event is free.” 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Whole Foods Cooperative 1341 W 26th St, Erie, PA Hosts: BikeErie and Whole Foods

Minor changes on EMTA routes 12, 14, and 25

Edinboro Lake

From conversation with Ed Torres EMTA Director of operations:

Minor changes on three routes starting March 21

Route 12 (Albion) 
Route 14 (Edinboro) 
Route 25 (Wesleyville) this route will start earlier.

***

Also 24th & State shelter should be replaced soon, and other shelter installations are being checked into.

February events

EMTA 

Feb 20 - Quality Assurance Committee (Open to Public) · Host: EMTA  1:00 pm in the Second Floor Conference Room at the Intermodal Transportation Center- 208 E Bayfront Parkway, Erie, PA 16507.

Feb 24 - EMTA Board Meeting 5:30 p.m.   2nd Floor Conference Room, at the Erie Intermodal Transportation Center (208 E Bayfront Pkwy Erie, PA 16507). All meetings are open to the general public. Host EMTA

ALSO

Feb 17 - Erie Emerging as a Bicycle Community 7pm Lavery Brewing Company, 128 W 12th, Erie PA "BikeErie’s  Annual Member Congress is open to the public. Learn about the state of bicycling in Erie, and take part in shaping the future. Abbreviated board meeting beforehand at 6:30 p.m open to BikeErie members." Host: BikeErie