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Meet Crocker Park's new AI-powered security robot, SAM

Autonomous droid has 360° camera to watch for thefts at Westlake shopping center

News

Cleveland won't come close to hiring budgeted police officers in 2023

The last three police academy classes had only 36 graduates total.

5 most memorable movie scenes filmed in Cleveland

From "Major League" to "A Christmas Story."

15 greatest concerts in Cleveland history

From Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jackson to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Details on Amtrak expansion studies expected soon

Multiple routes passing through Cleveland, plus Ohio's 3C+D line, are all on the table.

More passenger trains could be rolling through Cleveland in a few short years.Driving the news: The Federal Railroad Administration plans to announce rail corridors it will study for potential Amtrak expansion in either November or December, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spokesperson William Wong tells Axios." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/28/ohio-passenger-rail-expansion" data-vars-content-id="558cce87-a63e-4454-9003-adc81d3c1a94" data-vars-headline="Details on Amtrak expansion studies expected soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/28/ohio-passenger-rail-expansion" target="_self">spokesperson William Wong tells Axios.</a>

Illustration of a shrug emoji made out of railroad tracks.

Cleveland RTA chief India Birdsong Terry gets 20% raise

Local transit chief is now one of the most highly compensated in the country.

India Birdsong Terry, general manager and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), is now one of the nation&#x27;s highest-paid public transit executives.Driving the news: The agency&#x27;s board of trustees unanimously approved a five-year contract for Birdsong Terry at its July 25 meeting, increasing her base salary more than 20%, to $335,000 from $278,000.<ul><li>The contract, retroactive to Jan. 1 and running through December 2027, includes an annual bonus of up to 15% of her salary, per the board&#x27;s discretion.</li></ul>Between the lines: The board&#x27;s attorney, Ralph Cascarilla, told trustees that he researched 75 transit systems to determine the appropriate market value for a leader of Birdsong Terry&#x27;s caliber.<ul><li>He described the $335,000 figure as &quot;about the midpoint,&quot; relative to agencies with comparable staffing and vehicle numbers.</li></ul>By the numbers: In St. Louis, the top transit executive makes $300,000. In San Diego, $330,000. In San Antonio, $350,000.Yes, but: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland.com analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/07/big-raise-would-make-rta-ceo-a-top-paid-public-official-transit-leader.html" data-vars-content-id="d4224359-ad3a-49b5-a320-eb4324ac5ee8" data-vars-headline="Cleveland RTA chief India Birdsong Terry gets 20% raise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/07/big-raise-would-make-rta-ceo-a-top-paid-public-official-transit-leader.html" target="_blank">Cleveland.com analysis</a> put Birdsong Terry&#x27;s new compensation package at the top end of the market, vastly more than other nonprofit and government chiefs in Northeast Ohio and higher than transit chiefs in Nashville ($231,005), Chicago ($299,636) and Pittsburgh ($269,000), among others.<ul><li>In Cleveland, Birdsong Terry will outearn Mayor Justin Bibb ($156,000), CMSD chief executive Warren Morgan ($285,000) and Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman, whose salary has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballooned from $145,000 to $324,000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2023/03/cleveland-metroparks-must-be-ultra-transparent-on-spending-to-show-public-10-year-contract-with-ceo-was-good-deal-editorial.html" data-vars-content-id="d4224359-ad3a-49b5-a320-eb4324ac5ee8" data-vars-headline="Cleveland RTA chief India Birdsong Terry gets 20% raise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2023/03/cleveland-metroparks-must-be-ultra-transparent-on-spending-to-show-public-10-year-contract-with-ceo-was-good-deal-editorial.html" target="_blank">ballooned from $145,000 to $324,000</a> since he arrived in 2010.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;It&#x27;s been an absolute thrill to lead the team,&quot; Birdsong Terry told the board. &quot;We&#x27;re getting the funding that we deserve, the recognition that we deserve and investment through the community. I&#x27;ll do the best I can to keep us moving forward over the next five years.&quot;What we&#x27;re watching: The RTA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently purchased 24 new rail cars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/07/11/red-line-rta-rail-cars-purchased" data-vars-content-id="d4224359-ad3a-49b5-a320-eb4324ac5ee8" data-vars-headline="Cleveland RTA chief India Birdsong Terry gets 20% raise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/07/11/red-line-rta-rail-cars-purchased" target="_self">recently purchased 24 new rail cars</a> to replace its aging Red Line fleet. Delivery is expected within four years.<ul><li>Meanwhile, 2023 ridership is up nearly 20% year-to-date compared with last year, but still well below pre-pandemic numbers.</li></ul>

RTA CEO India Birdsong Terry holds a microphone, backed by people in red safety vests. 

Red Line RTA rail cars purchased at last

Trains designed by Siemens Mobility will be completed and delivered within four years.

Transit

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has at long last purchased rail cars to replace its aging Red Line fleet.Driving the news: RTA has ordered 24 light rail vehicles (LRVs) from the German manufacturer Siemens Mobility, with expected delivery within four years, which RTA told Axios is a standard timeframe.

A light rail vehicle with Cleveland's Tower City in the background

RTA and Union-Miles add artwork to bus shelters on southeast side

Artwork features Barack Obama, Fred Hampton, Harriet Tubman and other Black figures.

Waiting for a bus in Union-Miles? You might get to sit alongside Fred Hampton, Harriet Tubman or Barack Obama.Driving the news: The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and the Union-Miles Development Corp. (UMDC) partnered to install artwork featuring historical Black leaders on bus stations across the southeast side.

Side by side images of bus shelter art depicting Fred Hampton (L) and Harriet Tubman (R)

Bibb appoints RTA riders to RTA board

Calley Mersman and Jeff Sleasman replace outgoing Frank Jackson appointees.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) last week formally welcomed two new Justin Bibb appointees to its board of trustees.Driving the news: Calley Mersman and Jeff Sleasman replaced outgoing board members Valarie McCall and Luz Pellot, both of whom had been appointed by former Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.

Members of Cleveland RTA leadership pose for a photo

Lakewood presses pause on e-scooter rentals

Residents say devices cluttered sidewalks and made community less pedestrian friendly

Officials in Lakewood announced this week that they will no longer offer e-scooters for rental, after receiving feedback from residents.Flashback: Lakewood launched a pilot in 2022 with 90 devices spread across 12 city locations.

Illustration of an electric scooter with a "Sorry, we're closed" sign hanging from the handlebars.