Meetings & Events - July 2023

July 20 - Transportation Council for the Elderly and Disabled in Erie County 12:30pm via Zoom

July 24 - Monthly EMTA Board meeting 4pm

July 25 - Intercity Bus 101: State of the Industry webinar 2pm Host National RTAP

July 27 - CHQ Transit Rebranding Open House & Ribbon Cutting 1-3pm open to public 

August 31 - Benevolent Beers: BikeErie. Host: Erie Ale Works and BikeErie. Benefits BikeErie project for bike racks for businesses

Accessibility at Liberty Park

I took some photos at the Liberty Park area to show architectural accessibility. 

This is where 8 Great Tuesdays concerts happen, but you can visit anytime.

Photos show:

🔷  The area is modern and heavily paved. Paved areas connect to each other smoothly.

🔷. Two sets of porta-johns (one in parking lot, the other ar Northeast corner of park), both have a wheelchair accessible version.

🔷  There are inside bathrooms in Park & Ride building where concert shuttle leaves people off. 

These days may only be open with certain events.

🔷. Water faucet for filling bottles and cups, by playground

🔷. Pink unit in playground is for nursing mothers.  

🔷  Great venue but little protection from sun so bring your own as needed.

🔷  I didn't take photos of playground because kids were playing there.

🔷. I don't know the situation for wheelchairs and shuttle buses.

I counted 400 paces from Park and Ride building to park entrance. Persons with walkers and canes will probably be better off arriving in the parking lot

Entrance from sidewalk is smooth

portable toilets in paved parking lot

nursing station in playground, paved access

Water faucet. Accessible height but button may be an issue if hand/arm strength is an issue. Restrooms shown in background help give bearings. Surface in front of faucet is paved 

Drinking water on left side, accessible restroom on right. 

Much of the audience sits on the grassy hill.

Paved area in front of stage. 

Promenade

Entrance to path from parking lot.

Upcoming events & meetings ~ June 2023

June 10 - Presque Isle Express service starts

June 10 - HistErie Week: Trolley History Tour and Meet & Greet with Ken Springirth   

June 14 - EMTA Fourteen Fest 

June 22-23 - NTSB to Hold East Palestine, Ohio, Investigative Hearing   Attend in person to observe the hearing or watch livestream on NTSB YouTube channel​.​​ 

June 25 & July 30 - Open Streets PGH

June 26 - EMTA Monthly Board Meeting 4pm

Click/tap here for Erie MPO Organization meeting schedule 

Path at Presque Isle Waterworks are... most accessible area of Presque Isle. 

EMTA Rider Alerts for April 2023

Below are Email alerts for April, click/tap on image to enlarge. 

Also wondering why the May 6 changes weren't announced on the sent alerts, or maybe I missed it?

DOH!

I signed up to get the text alerts. I couldn't figure out whyI didn't start getting them till 10am and didn't pay attention to preferred times to receive alerts. So, be aware of that when you sign up. 

May is national bike month

May 9 - Bike Safety at Lincoln Branch Library In-Person 10am Lincoln Branch Library Erie PA   Overview of bike safety w/ Q&A. Free, registration required, helmets are available to program participants upon request. Teens, adults, seniors.

Bike Erie is a local group that does advocacy, awareness, and activities related aspects of cycling (commuting, recreation, cargo, etc.)

EMTA Bike on a bus program  

Bike Erie: How to load your bike on the "E" 

Sisters of St Joseph Neighborhood Network Bike Program 

Meadville Bike Share 

Erie City Council repeals outdated bicycle licensing/registration requirements

Active Erie Plan:

Active Erie Transportation Plan’s Bikeway Project: FAQs

Gaining Ground on the Active Erie Plan (Erin Phillips/Erie Reader)

Video: Active Transportation Plan Study Session - April 4, 2023

Upcoming meetings & events ~ May 2023

 

May 1 - 31 - National Bike Month   

May 2-5 - EMTA Rider Appreciation Days 

May 6 - Bike Repair: Fix a Flat! 

May 22 - EMTA Monthly board meeting 4pm

Click/tap here for Erie MPO Organization meeting schedule 

April 20: Meeting Transportation Council for Elderly & Disabled

Online event by Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority

URL: https://www.facebook.com/events/200596589390486 

Public · Anyone on or off Facebook

THE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED OF ERIE COUNTY will be hosted via Zoom on April 20th at 12:30PM. 

Anyone interested in participating can request an invite and an agenda by emailing Chris at cgerhart@ride-the-e.com

EMTA Rider Alerts for March 2023

Here are the EMTA rider alerts for March (see photos below)

Rider notifications these days are the best I've seen, kudos to the company for keeping riders informed.

There seem to be two different streams for the alerts, though I don't know. If that is so, hopefully they are integrated so there aren't any gaps. 

Alerts posted are on EMTA's Facebook or twitter, website homepage, MyStop phone page. To get alerts to your email account sign up for alerts through the EMTA website. 

It looks like EMTA actually is offering text alerts as well. Sign up for text alerts here.

It also looks like they are offering the option to only receive selected routes. Check it out and let us know what your think. 

I've tried to be accurate but if there are inaccuracies in this update, please make me aware of them and I will make  correction. 

Alerts for March 2023

(click to enlarge)

 

April 2023

there are two of these calendars because of an issue with publishing one of them 

Apr 5 - National Walking Day 

Apr 12 - PennDOT 12-Year Program (TYP) Public Forum "The State Transportation Commission (STC) conducts an Online Public Forum every two years as part of the Public Comment Period for the update of the 12-Year Program (TYP). The Online Public Forum is on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Join our email list to receive notifications about public meetings."

April 20: Meeting Transportation Council for Elderly & Disabled Online event by EMTA  URL: https://www.facebook.com/events/200596589390486  Public · Anyone on or off Facebook THE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED OF ERIE COUNTY will be hosted via Zoom on April 20th at 12:30PM. Anyone interested in participating can request an invite and an agenda by emailing Chris at cgerhart@ride-the-e.com

Apr 22 - Earth Day 

Apr  24 - EMTA Monthly Board Meeting 4pm via Zoom "Attendees are required to register for the Board Meeting no later than the Thursday prior before 12:00 pm for a private link to the Zoom meeting. Attendees must email their name, email, and phone number to tcroll@ride-the-e.com for access to the meeting. Public comments can be emailed to tcroll@ride-the-e.com by the Friday prior to the meeting date. Public Comments will be recorded in the Minutes. The public is now allowed address comments during the ‘Public Comment’ section at the beginning of the meeting. We will notify the public once in person meetings are allowed." 

Apr 26 Bike Safety at Millcreek Branch Library 10:00am - 11:30am " Learn what to looks for to make sure your bike is safe to ride. Ask questions about bike safety and basic maintenance. Registration required. Free to attend. Helmets are available to program participants upon request."

May 1 - 31 - National Bike Month

Upcoming meetings & Events ~ April 2023

March 1 -April 31 - PennDOT Transportation Survey 

Apr 4 - Active Transportation Plan Study Session 

Apr 5 - National Walking Day 

Apr 12 - PennDOT 12-Year Program (TYP) Public Forum "The State Transportation Commission (STC) conducts an Online Public Forum every two years as part of the Public Comment Period for the update of the 12-Year Program (TYP). The Online Public Forum is on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Join our email list to receive notifications about public meetings."

April 20: Meeting Transportation Council for Elderly & Disabled Online event by EMTA  URL: https://www.facebook.com/events/200596589390486  Public · Anyone on or off Facebook THE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED OF ERIE COUNTY will be hosted via Zoom on April 20th at 12:30PM. Anyone interested in participating can request an invite and an agenda by emailing Chris at cgerhart@ride-the-e.com

Apr 22 - Earth Day 

Apr  24 - EMTA Monthly Board Meeting 4pm via Zoom "Attendees are required to register for the Board Meeting no later than the Thursday prior before 12:00 pm for a private link to the Zoom meeting. Attendees must email their name, email, and phone number to tcroll@ride-the-e.com for access to the meeting. Public comments can be emailed to tcroll@ride-the-e.com by the Friday prior to the meeting date. Public Comments will be recorded in the Minutes. The public is now allowed address comments during the ‘Public Comment’ section at the beginning of the meeting. We will notify the public once in person meetings are allowed." 

Apr 26 Bike Safety at Millcreek Branch Library 10:00am - 11:30am " Learn what to looks for to make sure your bike is safe to ride. Ask questions about bike safety and basic maintenance. Registration required. Free to attend. Helmets are available to program participants upon request."

May 1 - 31 - National Bike Month

Click/tap here for Erie MPO Organization meeting schedule 

Upcoming Meetings & Events ~ March 2023

Mar 9 - America Walks webinar:: Walking, Biking, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: What You and Your Community Need to Know 02:00 PM  Registration "Join the partners of the Intersections Initiative (America Walks, the League of American Bicyclists, and Safe Routes Partnership) to learn about new federal programs for walking and biking infrastructure, the upcoming opportunities you need to know about, and the initial steps you can take to prepare your community to apply for funding." 

March 20 - EMTA Recruitment event  10am -2pm Northwest PA CareerLink (1647 Sassafrass St, Erie

March 25 - Rad Swap Meet 11am - 4pm Basement Transmissions 145 W 11th St., Bikes, bike parts, riding gear, etc.  Erie. Pre-Swap Ride leaves Griswold Park at 9am  

Mar 27 - EMTA Monthly Board Meeting 4pm via Zoom "Attendees are required to register for the Board Meeting no later than the Thursday prior before 12:00 pm for a private link to the Zoom meeting. Attendees must email their name, email, and phone number to tcroll@ride-the-e.com for access to the meeting. Public comments can be emailed to tcroll@ride-the-e.com by the Friday prior to the meeting date. Public Comments will be recorded in the Minutes. The public is now allowed address comments during the ‘Public Comment’ section at the beginning of the meeting. We will notify the public once in person meetings are allowed."

Apr 5 - National Walking Day 

Apr 22 - Earth Day 

~~~~~

City of Erie Bikeway Survey  

Click/tap here for Erie MPO Organization meeting schedule 

A month's worth of EMTA email rider alerts

I have been trying out the EMTA email rider alerts that you can sign up for in MyStop. 

The alerts are the same as those posted on the MyStop site, except they come to your email.

There is a text option but it was not working in the three times I signed up. I'm not sure what the problem is, but if it is available, EMTA needs to activate it, since a lot of riders would find it more useful than the emails.

I tried it out in three different email accounts. The screenshot below was from an account I signed up for January 26, 2023, and I stopped it at February 26. As far as I can I received them all, though it seemed like there was a curious gap for a couple weeks, maybe everything was running smoothly. 

Delivery issues

Alerts coming to each of the three email accounts had delivery issues. Outlook and Gmail sometimes delivered the alerts to another file. Yahoo Mail is still posting every single alert at 12:00 AM. ... every single one. None of them ended up in Spam so far. Again, having the text alert option might eliminate this goofiness.

Another advantage to alerts delivered to your device

Having an alert delivered to your device gives you a record of an issue that might have caused you a problem with getting somewhere. Your employer, instructor, doctor, etc., might accept your excuse a little more readily if you show them the alert that made you late. The alerts on the MyStop page disappear as soon as they are over, but you have the alert as a record. 

Click here for instructions on how to sign up for alerts

Click to enlarge  

Upcoming meetings & events Feb 2023

Feb 15 - Public meeting to review/comment on draft Greengarden Bikeway Project  5:30 p.m. at Erie City Hall in the City Council chambers. : "City of Erie and its consultant team from Whitman, Requardt and Associates (WRA) will host a public meeting to review the draft Greengarden Boulevard Bikeway Project and receive comments from the public. Streamed live thru City of Erie Facebook page Info: https://www.activeerie.com/bikeway/ 

Feb 21 - Sidewalks for Summit Township Summit Township Supervisors hereby gives notice of intent to amend Ordinance #2019-04, Sidewalks, at the Regular Business meeting on February 21, 2023, at 4:30 pm. The proposed amendment revises requirements for sidewalks and obligations for property owners. Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, 1230 Townhall Rd, Erie, PA 16509. A complete copy of the proposed Ordinance may be examined, during regular business hours (8 am – 4 pm), Monday through Friday.Lisa A. Vallimont, Secretary

Feb 26 - BikeErie event: We Love Bikes at Julius 1607 State Erie PA 5pm "Join us for an evening of food, socializing, and a panel discussion on the state of biking in Erie at Julius, formerly the Erie Maennerchor club. Free for members, $10 for non-members, includes food. Raffles and a cash bar!"

Feb 27 - EMTA Monthly Board meeting 4:00 pm via Zoom "Attendees are required to register for the Board Meeting no later than the Thursday prior before 12:00 pm for a private link to the Zoom meeting. Attendees must email their name, email, and phone number to tcroll@ride-the-e.com for access to the meeting. Public comments can be emailed to tcroll@ride-the-e.com by the Friday prior to the meeting date. Public Comments will be recorded in the Minutes. The public is now allowed address comments during the ‘Public Comment’ section at the beginning of the meeting. We will notify the public once in person meetings are allowed."

Erie MPO Organization Quarterly Hybrid Meeting 2023 Schedule 

Image by pch.vector on Freepik