I rode the "Health Line" yesterday and accomplished my mission of getting to University Circle quickly and back downtown to catch the FREE concert at Cleveland Public Library.  It was a pleasant ride, but I am glad that I did not take my bike, because the promised area for bikes/strollers is not really for bikes and stollers.  The ride takes the same time the old #6 took to get from downtown to University Circle, maybe shaving a few seconds here and there.  The driver on the way to University Circle did not even bother to collect or check fares.  She just waved me on, so I suspect she was running slightly late.

 One thing I do have to say--the fare is now $4.50 for the all day pass.  I was caught off-guard on my way down and I have to tip my hat off to my driver on the 22, who let me on with my four dollars by adding .50 from his own pocket.  Lamarr, I love you and as promised good karma will come to you!!!  I have always found RTA's drivers to be almost saintly at times--everyday heroes.   The aforementioned Great Lamarr also expertly managed two wheelchair patrons with kindness and grace yesterday.   

The University Circle/Little Italy odyssey, while waiting for Chris to finish working on the computer at Kelvin Smith Library.  Wandering through Little Italy, it occurred to me that certain parts of Cleveland have gravitational pull--places you go to when you want to attract other bodies in motion.  I ended up by the fire at Algebra Tea House for a while and enjoyed my intellectual conversation with Ameer, who is all of four years old, but wise beyond his years.  I love the inviting warrens and secret courtyards of Little Italy and often wish that I could fit in there.  Alas, I am too old for the student scene, but it is nice to have a flashback, now and then. The day's end reward? Dinner at Mama Santas. La Dolce Vita :)

and your praise of RTA drivers is right on - some of the nicest, intelligent and considerate people I've ever encountered. Lets hope they get paid enough for their work!

  The answer is before US and we fail to SEE :)  Use the Medical Mart tax to subsidize free public transportation in Cleveland.   We have great conductors like Lamarr.  Have all employers underwrite the service for their employees and dictate route accomodations.  Everyone benefits.

The RTA Red Line rapid could handle enough riders to take 1,000 vehicles off the road during a peak rush hour, said Mike Schipper, deputy general manager of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. He said he met with ODOT officials in December to discuss how RTA could help if the bridge reduced lanes or was closed. Schipper believes 1,000 vehicles per peak hour is about a fourth of the traffic using the bridge at that time. RTA runs one or two trains on the Red Line, which travels from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to Tower City, and could add a third train, he said. There is enough parking at the stations and buses that go to the stations could handle more people.

Of course, Steven Litt goes on to say that Mayor Jackson will allow a closure of the Inner Belt bridge, IF the Opportunity Corridor gets fast-tracked..

Jackson flatly rejected closing the bridge when ODOT inquired about it in November. He said there were too many unanswered questions over closing it. However, he said, he might reconsider if saving money on the project freed up funds for other projects in the city, including the Opportunity Corridor extending Interstate 490 from East 55th Street to University Circle and reconstructing the West Shoreway.

And to that, I say, don't cave in to blackmail Mayor Jackson.