Mahoning Valley Forum

Youngstown & The Mahoning Valley => Mass Transit => Topic started by: jay on September 06, 2011, 04:55:54 AM

Title: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on September 06, 2011, 04:55:54 AM
The WRTA will soon be starting bus service to downtown Warren.
I would like to take a trip to Warren to see how things are going in their downtown.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Rushblvd on September 06, 2011, 08:01:18 AM
Will the route go through Girard?
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on September 06, 2011, 03:22:17 PM
Yes, the new Warren WRTA bus will travel through Girard on Rt. 422.

In Warren, the bus will travel on several streets near the downtown.  Portions of High, Summit, Tod, Park,  Mahoning, and Market will now be covered.

Oh, the bus will also stop at the Eastwood Mall.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Rushblvd on September 06, 2011, 03:38:04 PM
This is good news--When we had the bus route come through Girard it really helped the small businesses---I may have to finally venture into taking the bus to work..Still wished they had bike racks..
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on September 06, 2011, 03:44:18 PM
The Warren bus will leave Federal Station at these times on weekdays.

6:40 a.m.
8:40 a.m.
10:40 a.m.
12:40 p.m.
2:40 p.m.
4:40 p.m.

The 6:40 a.m. bus does not operate on Saturdays.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on September 08, 2011, 08:43:42 AM
WRTA bus service to Warren, Ohio starts on Monday, September 12.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: mrniles266 on September 08, 2011, 03:28:42 PM
 :) What's the routing?
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: AllanY2525 on September 08, 2011, 06:49:40 PM
When I was a kid I worked at Abruzzi's Cafe 422 in Warren... used to take the WRTA bus to Eastwood mall and
then I would walk the rest of the way.

Glad to see the route is back...it will help to connect Youngstown to Warren for those who do not drive.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on September 08, 2011, 09:27:16 PM
The bus will basically take Rt. 422 the entire way.

Time Point Example
8:40 a.m. Federal Station
8:52 a.m. Liberty & 422
8:57 a.m. McKinley Hgts.
9:05 a.m. Eastwood Mall
9:25 a.m. Warren Square
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: mrniles266 on September 08, 2011, 09:33:45 PM
 ??? Do you have a schedule with a map? I still haven't found the ight place. It's not on the WRTA's website. It's not up to date.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: mrniles266 on September 08, 2011, 09:52:52 PM
 ??? Are they going to Kent State this time or just downtown Warren? With a schedule, I would not have to ask all thee questions. What are the times they leave Warren? I see service is every two hours. Not what I would like to see. It's better than nothing. If it just goes just to Warren, it will save a lot of wasted fuel and time, over the last route. Niles-Trumbull Transit, or whatever it will be called, should have to get people to Kent State. I would like to see a safe, official, City, Park and Ride lot in Downtown Warren,(there seems to be plenty) to start with. Like some sort of Federal Station in Warren to make connections for future buses.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on September 09, 2011, 05:59:53 AM
QuoteIn Warren, the bus will travel on several streets near the downtown.  Portions of High, Summit, Tod, Park,  Mahoning, and Market will now be covered.

A representative of the WRTA will have a display at the Grey To Green Festival in Youngstown's Wick Park on Saturday, September 10.  You could probably get various schedules at that time.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: northside lurker on September 09, 2011, 07:43:49 AM
the rumors I've heard said that the Warren bus will not be going to KSU.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Towntalk on September 11, 2011, 10:11:18 AM
Not a 1000000% perfect answer, but:

WRTA to restart Youngstown-Warren bus route Monday

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/sep/11/wrta-restart-youngstown-warren-bus-route-monday/

Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: mrniles266 on September 11, 2011, 10:56:17 AM
 :'( It took asking, many times, for information on the restart of the Warren route. I got what I wanted. I read the article in the Vindy. The one part of the route I don't understand is why it would go into one housing development in Warren? I had to look at a map. I never heard of it. Why do that?  Going to Kent State, Trumbull, would make more sense than that? The Niles-Trumbull Transit, or whatever it will be called in the future, should be doing that. The Youngstown-Warren Express, should be just that. Moving people back and fourth between Youngstown-YSU-Warren-Eastern Gateway-KSU Trumbull as quickly as possible. Establish a safe, Park and Ride lot, in downtown Warren, and or others along the way. Maybe Trumbull county can pick up some costs to get the bus to run more frequently. This is the most important route for linking Mahoning and Trumbull county again and never to stop again.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on September 11, 2011, 07:38:38 PM
QuoteMaybe Trumbull county can pick up some costs to get the bus to run more frequently.

As usual, Trumbull County will pay nothing but will still get the service.

If you want better WRTA service in Trumbull County, talk to your elected officials.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on September 12, 2011, 03:27:25 PM
Contrary to the schedule, the bus does not go into the Eastwood Mall.  It only stops on Rt. 422 in front of the mall.

Those riders returning to Youngstown have to walk across busy Rt. 422 in order to catch the bus on the south side of the street.  This is unsafe.  From what I've heard, the mall management will not allow the bus on their property.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: iwasthere on September 12, 2011, 05:37:53 PM
Quote from: Rushblvd on September 06, 2011, 08:01:18 AM
Will the route go through Girard?
yes they will. they will take 422 to warren no varying off the schedule. the bus driver told me they ran out of schedules within the first hours of business today when i asked for a schedule. or maybe he did not want my kind going to warren.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: AllanY2525 on September 14, 2011, 01:37:15 AM
As far as walking across busy route 422 - couldn't they just pickup by an intersection with a RED LIGHT,
and a CROSS WALK for PEDESTRIANS ?

There is no need to make Mount Everest out of a mole hill, here.......red light....crosswalk.... no brainer.....
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Rick Rowlands on September 14, 2011, 06:44:49 AM
It is BS to not allow the bus to pick up/ drop off in the mall's parking lot. 
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: iwasthere on September 14, 2011, 03:44:18 PM
what cafaros want, cafaros recieve
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Rushblvd on September 14, 2011, 03:58:58 PM
They are probably afraid someone will fall on the property -get hurt-and sue.....
Who gives a crap if someone is runned down crossing 422--as long as its not on there property...
Ya gotta love people  8) ??? :(
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Towntalk on September 14, 2011, 04:32:12 PM
Did the folks at Eastwood Mall give an official reason for not letting the bus make stops inside mall property or are you simply going by heresay statements? I would like to hear both sides before condemning the Mall. I went to the mall website and nothing was there one way or the other about WRTA.



Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren,Wed, Set. 14,2011
Post by: mrniles266 on September 14, 2011, 06:29:58 PM
 >:( I have never head an official reason from Eastwood Mall, why the buses can't go into the Mall. Unofficially, I have heard they say the big buses will ruin the pavement? They want people to spend money. I would think the bus riders can spend money also. For big ticket items, they will have to be delivered anyway. If riders don't want to carry a lot of packages, maybe someone can open a shipping store. Are you listening UPS, FED EX, and Postal Service? They have post office boxes now, don't they? FED Ex is across the street.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren,Wed. 14, Sept. 2011.
Post by: mrniles266 on September 14, 2011, 06:36:49 PM
 :) Today, I saw the first Warren bus traveling from the top of the hill between McKinley Hts. and Rt. 46. I saw 1 woman waiting across from the motel. I couldn't make out how many were on. There were some.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Towntalk on September 14, 2011, 06:55:12 PM
Perhaps Joe Bell should take a trip to the Southern Park Mall. But seriously, I couldn't care less what un-named folks say ... until I hear it out of tbe mouth of Joe Bell ... the voice of Eastwood Mall, what non-Eastwool Mall/WRTA sources say or think means absolutely nothing. NO OFFENSE but given the feeling by many about the Cafaro family there's good reason to question rumors.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on September 15, 2011, 10:15:15 AM
The District Area on Aging is located in the mall.  I guess we just have to hope that all of our senior citizens are able to walk several hundred yards in rain and snow from the bus on Rt. 422 to the mall building.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Towntalk on September 15, 2011, 12:31:54 PM
Why is it that after searching radio and TV news as well as the Vindicator, the Warren Trib, the Niles Daily Times, WRTA web site and the Eastwood Mall web site this is the only site that mentions a bus problem at the Eastwood Mall?

Large delivery trucks go in and out of the mall every day with no problem so it can' be a concern about the drive ways ... many of the trucks are 18 wheelers.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: kenneyjoe330 on September 15, 2011, 03:36:44 PM
I can remember the Southern Park Mall having the same restrictions for a time.  The problem eventually was solved and the buses now - I believe - come and stop at the food court section.  I know it was in the Vindicator - it probably was many years ago.  It may even have been true for the Boardman Plaza - all of which was resolved.  I also remember an accident in winter concerning a young lady going to or coming from work and got hit by a car because she had to cross Boardman Canfield Road.  Maybe a similar situation will have to occur at the Eastwood Mall.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Towntalk on September 15, 2011, 04:54:44 PM
That has to have been at least 40 years ago because back in the late 1970's I use to take the bus to the Southern Park Mall every week to get my hair done at J.C. Penny's.

In the case of Southern Park, at least it was in the news, but here, all we have to go on are "he said; she said" comments and nothing more.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: northside lurker on September 16, 2011, 07:49:55 AM
I don't go to malls if I don't have to.  But, if someone is interested, maybe they can call the source and ask why the buses don't go into Eastwood Mall?  The fact that the Area Agency on Aging is there is a very good point, and could be interesting to a reporter.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: kenneyjoe330 on September 17, 2011, 02:02:48 PM
40 YEARS AGO  :o  Gee I must be having fun either that or getting old ( :-X) really 40 years ago ! ! !  Well can the same thing happen today?  Just maybe history is repeating itself  :(  You did say it was hear say, however I sure believe it - and I also believe it will be corrected - I hope before something "happens"
The Area Agency on Aging you refer to - is that for Mahoning and Trumble Counties ?  Does it include Columbiana and Ashtaula too ?
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: iwasthere on September 17, 2011, 04:08:22 PM
Quote from: Rushblvd on September 14, 2011, 03:58:58 PM
They are probably afraid someone will fall on the property -get hurt-and sue.....
Who gives a crap if someone is runned down crossing 422--as long as its not on there property...
Ya gotta love people  8) ??? :(
one must watch for flying chairs too in the mall. ??? i heard if a cafaro is not happy with your amount of purchases from thier mall they throw a chair at you to cause you reason(s) to buy more stuff at thier establishments. :o
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Towntalk on September 17, 2011, 05:31:34 PM
 ;D Getting old has both its advantages and disadvantages.  ;D

The advantages ... an increase in wisdom ... sort of ... based on life experiences.

The disadvantages ... knowing that one is one step nearer the grave, not that I look forward to it, but when you can read the obituaries with the knowledge that your name isn't there, it's an affirmation that you've been given another reprieve.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: mrniles266 on October 02, 2011, 10:59:52 AM
 :o I sent a second message, to Joe Bell of Cafaro, to clarify what he meant by not allowing the Warren Express buses into the Mall. What I wrote and his remarks. " Thanks for your suggestions. We'll keep them in mind as the transportation needs of of community evolve. You might be interested to know that we have not encountered any problems with the smaller buses used by the transit system operated by the  City of Niles. I understand that Trumbull County will soon be taking over that system, which operates on an "on call" basis for riders."
So it comes down to Small buses VS Big buses. I might go a little farther. The best we can hope, is that WRTA find some small Hybrid buses or maybe modify some of the present ones they now have. There have been suggestions that why does the buses have to come to the front door. Maybe a back entrance, like the area around the Len's Crafters entrance. It's like a Mini-hub for Trumbull Transit, WRTA, taxi service, and the other providers. The Eastwood Mall, Cafaro, should sponsor a semi-fixed and on call system for the entire Mall area. Have colorfull, small buses, with ads of the various stores, to help pay for the service, and promote themselves. Cars can be parked anywhere on the complex to get anywhere without having to worry do we have enough parking for this event or that.




Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Towntalk on October 02, 2011, 11:18:06 AM
I gather from Bell's reply that there will be no wiggle room so far as Eastwood Mall is concerned leading me to believe that you'll have to go back to the drawing board and figure another solution to the problem because sooner or later Bell is going to either tell you to buzz off or simply not reply to your messages. There is a new bus service in Youngstown that uses vans that hold about 12 passangers that operates on an on demand basis, and perhaps that might be the answer. I'll see if I can get the name of that company for you, or by chance someone else may have the information.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: mrniles266 on October 02, 2011, 07:28:20 PM
 :o The story was about Fab Cabs. Search for"Fab Cabs-Ready to roll" WKBN- 27 First News. Please comment.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Towntalk on October 02, 2011, 08:03:04 PM
Here's the link to their web site. Why don't you send them an email with your ideas. From what I gather they are owned by the Eddy family - the car dealer - and they might see a benefit in a shuttle service to Eastwood Mall, and certainly the mall couldn't object a van or mini-bus coming into the mall don't you think.

http://afabcab.com/home.html
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on October 02, 2011, 09:50:31 PM
The number of passengers departing Youngstown on the Warren Express usually exceeds the seating capacity of the mini-buses.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: mrniles266 on October 03, 2011, 12:22:09 AM
 ??? If all it takes to get buses into the Eastwood Mall, is a change of vehicle, why not try it? The schedule should be increased to every hour.  The other thought, is change the bus stop location to suite the Mall management. In the back maybe? Follow the route of the big trucks?
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on October 03, 2011, 06:11:33 AM
From my limited experience (two trips), the larger buses are needed on the Warren Express bus route.  If anything, ridership is expected to increase over the next few months.  Switching to smaller buses would not be warranted.

Increasing the Warren Express to hourly service would double the cost of operating the route.  This would not be covered by the JARC grant.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: Rushblvd on October 03, 2011, 08:26:57 AM
I sometimes am able to catch a glimpse of the Warren (WRTA) bus going through downtown Girard (422) and it seems like it is pretty full-both ways--
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: AllanY2525 on October 03, 2011, 10:08:19 AM
Is WRTA using any hybrid buses?  The diesel electric models do get better mileage
than plain diesel engines.  Lower emissions too.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: northside lurker on October 03, 2011, 12:42:32 PM
I think some of their smaller buses are supposed to be hybrid. (I think they received stimulous funds for some)  But none of the large buses are.  The oldest large buses in WRTA's fleet should be replaced in the next year or so.  We'll see if any of the new buses are hybrid.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: jay on October 04, 2011, 11:01:15 AM
Rushblvd,

Are there any good places to go for lunch in Girard?  Which places do you recommend that are on the Warren Express bus route? 
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: mrniles266 on October 04, 2011, 08:31:07 PM
 :o Margherita's Grill. Located at 728 N. State St. Girard. State and 304 on the Warren Express bus route.
Title: Re: WRTA Service To Warren
Post by: iwasthere on December 20, 2011, 03:54:42 PM
rush gal brings her lunch in a brownbag that is mark, "ripple". :o