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

CATA adds Meadville-Cochranton/Cambridge Springs connections

Cochranton and Cambridge Springs will be added to the areas served by Crawford Area Transportation Authority (CATA) starting November 19, 2019.
The routes will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays providing 3 round trips each day. Fares will be free for seniors age 65 and older, $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for youth age 6-17. Children under age 5 ride free.

Details and route information:
"New Services coming to Crawford County" (News release from CATA)

EMTA buses to VA and vets housing

by Deb Spilko
Bus Blog Erie

Did you know there are five EMTA fixed routes that will get you to the VA Medical Center and vets housing on E. 38th & Old French?

Routes to Erie VA and their basic areas of coverage:

16 - North East Downtown, Mercyhurst (Main and NE campuses), Route 20, Harborcreek, North East Runs M-Sat.
23 - Belle Valley  Downtown, E. Grandview, Mercyhurst and over Route 8 to I-90. Runs M-F
27 - State Street  Downtown via State, Old French Road, Route 97. This one goes right to door of VA during week. Runs 7 days a week. 

also (note only certain days)
15 - E. 38th Penn State Behrend, Mercyhurst, Mall area.  Saturday service only
17 - Briggs Mercyhurst main campus, Mall area. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays only

Bus info for Climate Strike Erie

Some quick info for people  attending the Climate Strike Erie! event 

Out of town visitors
If you are traveling by Greyhound, you will arrive and depart at the Intermodal Center, located on the east Bayfront at the foot of Holland Street. This is also a terminus for many EMTA (the city bus) routes. Any of the EMTA buses that leave from the Intermodal will take you to Perry Square. There is also a free Bayliner Trolley (20A) that runs every half hour; the trolleys will also take you to Perry Square. EMTA customer service is right next to the Greyhound ticket window, and should be open from 8am to 4:30pm. For walkers, the distance from the Intermodal Center to Perry Square is about 3/4 mile.

EMTA city bus service 
All fixed route city buses running on weekdays will get you to Perry Square. (Exception school and campus buses)

• Route information
• Route map 
• Fare information  Regular Cash Bus Fare $1.65, transfer 45 cents additional. A Day Pass is $3.30, and allows unlimited rides for the day of purchase. Fare details here
• Bike racks
• Customers with Disabilities
• Ride Line (814)-452-3515
• Google Transit Use it like Google Maps, and it will show you how to get to your destination and when and where to catch your bus.

ALSO

• Bike Racks near Perry Square
• Downtown Erie Walking Map 
• Bike Parking by BikeErie An overview
• "Erie Bike Lanes, Trails, Lanes and Paths" by BikeErie
• Downtown Erie Walking Map 

BUS STOPS IN DOWNTOWN ERIE

Click to enlarge