Magazine serving the bus and rail transit & motorcoach operations since 1904
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56 < m ETRO m AGAZINE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 metro-magazine.com Calabrese launched the "Ride Happy or Ride Free" cus- tomer service pledge and guarantee program and estab- lished a downtown trolley network to transport workers, visitors and residents between all major downtown venues with a subsidized fare that is "Free with a Smile." He also oversaw the funding, construction and opera- tion of the HealthLine BRT system, which was recognized as the best BRT system in North America by the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy. Te 9.2-mile BRT system ofers frequent and convenient travel between downtown, University Circle and East Cleve- land, with 40 stops along the way onboard stylized 63-foot hybrid-electric vehicles with fve sets of doors, located on both sides of coach. Since its launch, HealthLine increased ridership by 60% and made an economic development re- turn of more than $5 billion. Most recently, the RTA celebrated the opening of its Ce- dar-University Rapid Station, which replaces an aging rail station and terminal built in 1956, with a modern facility that signifcantly improves access for pedestrians and peo- ple with disabilities. While at RTA, Calabrese has won several awards, includ- ing APTA's 2008 Outstanding Public Transit Manager award, with the agency being named the Best Large Public Transit System in North America by APTA in 2007. afliation with the Journal, however, the magazine contin- ued being produced until 1998. In 2000, Weyrich and William S. Lind, who served as as- sociate publisher until 1996, launched a website, "Te New New Electric Railway Journal," where they continued to tout passenger rail transit systems. In addition to being in support of bringing back street- cars to U.S. cities, Weyrich also ser ved on the national board of Amtrak from 1987 to 1993 and Amtrak Reform Council, as well as on local and regional rail transit advo- cacy organizations. Weyrich passed away in 2008. JOSEPH A. CALABRESE CEO/GM Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority A seasoned public transportation veteran, Calabrese has been with the Cleveland RTA since 2000, mak- ing him the longest-serving GM in the agen- cy's history. Since his arrival in Cleveland, Calabrese has led RTA on an aggressive infrastructure upgrade program, while placing an increased emphasis on image, financial management, customer service and safety. MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE