Story and Photo by Jerry Masek
An on-going capital improvements plan at RTA will result in better air quality and improved service reliability in 2022, said Michael Schipper, Deputy General Manager of Engineering and Project Management. In West Park, RTA operates the Triskett Bus Garage — one of the largest in Ohio — and five Rapid Transit stations along the Red Line.
In early 2022, RTA will retire some buses that outlived their useful life from the Triskett Garage, and replace them with new buses fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG).
“CNG buses produce much lower emissions, so the air quality will be better,” Schipper said. “And, new buses are more reliable than the older ones that are being retired.”
The Triskett Garage maintains all buses used on routes in the western half of Cuyahoga County. At least four bus routes frequently serve West Park — #22, #78, #83, #86. Other capital work affects the Red Line. RTA is stringing fiber optics line along the entire length of the tracks, This will enhance RTA’s ability to communicate with its facilities and vehicles. That effort includes upgrades to catenary poles throughout the West Side. The poles connect electricity to the trains and also support the new fiber optic line.
Jerry Masek is a former RTA employee.