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Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

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Regional Transit Authority
FoundedDecember 30, 1974
Headquarters1240 West 6th Street, Downtown, Cleveland, Ohio
LocaleCleveland, Ohio
Service typeBus and Rapid Transit
RoutesBus: 37, Rail: 4, Trolley: 1, BRT: 3
FleetBus: 391, Rail: 92, Trolley: 12, BRT: 40
Daily ridership79,000 (weekdays, Q2 2024)[1]
Annual ridership22,431,500 (2023)[2]
Chief executiveIndia Birdsong Terry[3]
Websiteriderta.com

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (officially the GCRTA, but historically and locally referred to as the RTA) is the public transit agency for Cleveland, Ohio, United States and the surrounding suburbs of Cuyahoga County. RTA is the largest transit agency in Ohio, with a ridership of 22,431,500, or about 79,000 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.

RTA owns and operates the RTA Rapid Transit rail system (called "The Rapid" by area residents), which consists of one heavy rail line (the Red Line) and three light rail lines (Blue, Green, Waterfront). The bulk of RTA's service consists of buses, including regular routes, express or flyer buses, loop and paratransit buses. In December 2004, RTA adopted a revised master plan, Transit 2025, in which several rail extensions, bus line improvements and transit oriented developments are discussed.[4]

RTA's major predecessor, the Cleveland Transit System, was the first transit system in the western hemisphere to provide direct rapid transit service from a city's downtown to its major airport.[5]

In 2007, RTA was named the best public transit system in North America by the American Public Transportation Association, for "demonstrating achievement in efficiency and effectiveness."[6]

History

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The GCRTA was established on December 30, 1974,[7] and on September 5, 1975 assumed control of the Cleveland Transit System, which operated the heavy rail line from Windermere to Cleveland Hopkins Airport and the local bus systems, and Shaker Heights Rapid Transit (the descendant of a separate streetcar system formed by the Van Sweringen brothers to serve their Shaker Heights development), which operated the two interurban light rail lines from downtown to Shaker Heights. CTS had been formed when the city of Cleveland took over the old Cleveland Railway Company. However, with Cleveland's dwindling population over the previous two decades, its revenue dwindled significantly. The problem really manifested itself with a 17-day strike in July 1970. City and county leaders concluded that a regional approach was the only way to save it.[5]

A month after its formation, RTA assumed control over the suburban bus systems operated by Maple Heights, North Olmsted, Brecksville, Garfield Heights and Euclid.[5]

The RTA had to undertake a number of renovations to the rail system, as the Shaker Heights lines (renamed the Blue and Green lines) had not been significantly renovated since their creation in 1920. They were largely rebuilt by 1981 and the downtown station at Cleveland Union Terminal, later renamed Tower City Center, was heavily rebuilt by 1987. In 1994, a walkway and skyway was added from the Tower City station to the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex and the Blue and Green lines were extended to the North Coast Harbor area by 1996.

Seventy-five Cleveland Transit System PCC streetcars were sold in 1952 to Toronto to be used by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The last of the Cleveland PCC models operated for 30 years in Toronto, until 1982. Cleveland Transit also sold eight Marmon-Herrington TC44 trolleybuses in 1963 to the TTC.

A HealthLine rapid transit bus, a New Flyer DE60LFA, at Public Square

In 2005, RTA began building a bus rapid transit line along Euclid Avenue from Public Square to University Circle and then to East Cleveland. This was originally to be a subway line running under Euclid Avenue, but the high cost of such a project caused it to be reduced in scope, resulting in the current bus rapid transit project. Vehicles operate in an exclusive center median busway from Public Square to Stokes Blvd. and transition to curbside running through University Circle to the Windermere Rapid Transit Station in East Cleveland. The vehicles are low-floor, articulated 63 feet (19 m) buses.

Naming rights for the line were purchased by the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals for twenty-five years. The BRT route, originally named the "Silver Line", which serves the two major health industry employers in Cleveland, is named the HealthLine.[8]

As sections were completed, they were opened to traffic; the entire stretch within the project area was open by October 24, 2008[9] as part of its grand opening October 24–26, 2008.[10]

In January 2023, the GCRTA announced the acquisition of sixty Siemens S200 light rail vehicles to replace the system's entire existing rail fleet. Twenty-four such cars will replace the Tokyu heavy rail trains used on the Red Line, with an option to acquire 36 additional units to replace the Breda light rail vehicles used on the Blue, Green, and Waterfront lines.[11] GCRTA's S200s will include steps at the front right door for boarding at street-level stations on the Blue, Green, and Waterfront. Once the acquisition is approved by the GCRTA's board, S200s are expected to begin service in Cleveland in 2026.[12][13]

Active Bus Fleet

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Year Manufacturer Model Fleet Numbers Engine Transmission Notes
2020 MCI D4500CT 1901-1909 Cummins X12 Allison B500-6 Only use for the 251
2014 New Flyer XD60 3201-3216, 3251-3257 Cummins ISL9 Allison B500R-6 3201-3216 are use for the Cleveland State Line BRT 55/55B/55C and 3251-3257 are use for the 22
2014-2015 Gillig BRT Plus CNG 40' 3301-3390 Cummins Westport ISL-G Allison B400R-6 3301 is a 2014 Model. 3301-3367 belong to Hayden Garage & 3368-3390 belong to Triskett Garage.
2016-2017 Gillig BRT Plus CNG 40' 3401-3416 Cummins Westport ISL-G Allison B400R-6
2017 Gillig BRT Plus Diesel 40' 3501-3520, 3551-3559 Cummins L9 Allison B400R-6
2018 Gillig BRT Plus CNG 40' 3601-3633 Cummins Westport L9N Allison B400R-6
2015 Gillig Low Floor Trolley Replica 40' 3701-3703 Cummins ISL9 Allison B400R-6
2016 Gillig Low Floor Trolley Replica 40' 3704-3712 Cummins ISL9 Allison B400R-6
2020 Gillig BRT Plus CNG 40' 3801-3806, 3851-3869 Cummins Westport L9N Allison B3400xFE
2021-2022 Gillig BRT Plus CNG 40' 3901-3920 Cummins Westport L9N Allison B3400xFE
2022 Gillig BRT Plus Diesel 40' 4001-4020 Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE Use for the Metro Health Line BRT 51/51A and 53/53A
2023 Gillig BRT Plus CNG 40' 4101-4120 Cummins Westport L9N Allison B3400xFE
2021 New Flyer XN60 CNG 6001-6016 Cummins Westport L9N Allison B3400xFE Use for the Health Line BRT

List of bus routes

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In 2023, the GCRTA bus system had a ridership of 17,707,700, or about 63,500 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.

Route Name Terminal 1 Terminal 2 via Length notes
1 St. Clair Downtown
Superior Avenue and West 6th Street
South Collinwood
East 153rd Street Loop
Saint Clair Avenue 7.7 miles (12.4 km) 24-hour service
2 East 79 Glenville
Maud Loop
Tremont
Steelyard Commons
Harvard Avenue, East 79th Street 12.2 miles (19.6 km) Weekdays only
3 Superior Downtown
Superior Avenue & West 6th Street
East Cleveland
Stokes-Windermere Station
Superior Avenue (US-6) 7.2 miles (11.6 km) 24-hour service
HealthLine Downtown
South Roadway and Ontario Street
Euclid Avenue (US-20) 6.7 miles (10.8 km) 24-hour service
7 Monticello East Cleveland
Stokes-Windermere Station
Richmond Heights
Richmond Park Drive North
Monticello Boulevard 7.4 miles (11.9 km)
7A Monticello Mayfield Heights
SOM Center Road and Mayfield Road
Monticello Boulevard/Wilson Mills Road 10.0 miles (16.1 km) Weekdays only
8 Cedar-Buckeye Downtown
East 6th Street and Lakeside Avenue
Buckeye-Shaker
Shaker Square
Cedar Avenue, Buckeye Road 8.1 miles (13.0 km)
9 Mayfield-Hough Downtown
West Prospect Avenue and West 3rd Street
Mayfield Heights
SOM Center Road and Mayfield Road
Payne Avenue, Hough Avenue, Mayfield Road, Severance Town Center 16.0 miles (25.7 km)
10 East 105-Lakeshore South Broadway
Turney-Ella Loop
Willowick
Shoregate Town Center
East 93rd Street, East 105th Street, Lake Shore Boulevard 18.3 miles (29.5 km)
Euclid
Euclid Hospital (East 189th Street)
13.5 miles (21.7 km) Overnight and alternate weekday trips
11 Quincy-Cedar Downtown
West Prospect Avenue and West 3rd Street
Beachwood
Montifiore Hospital
Community College Avenue (Quincy Avenue), Cedar Road 13.1 miles (21.1 km)
14 Kinsman Downtown
West 6th Street and West Prospect Avenue
Pepper Pike
Lander Circle
Chagrin Boulevard/Kinsman Road 17.3 miles (27.8 km)
Shaker Heights
Warrensville-Van Aken station
10.7 miles (17.2 km) Overnight trips
14A Kinsman Warrensville Heights
Country Lane
Emery Road, Chagrin Boulevard/Kinsman Road 15.7 miles (25.3 km)
15 Union-Harvard Highland Hills
Tri-C Eastern Campus
Broadway, Union Avenue, Harvard Avenue 14.4 miles (23.2 km)
16 East 55 Tremont
Steelyard Commons
Saint Clair-Superior
Horizon Science Academy Cleveland
East 55th Street 10.9 miles (17.5 km) Weekdays only
18 West 98-Garfield Edgewater
West Boulevard-Cudell station
Garfield Heights
Marymount Hospital
Garfield Boulevard, Harvard Avenue, West 98th Street 17.0 miles (27.4 km)
19 Broadway Downtown
East 6th Street and Lakeside Avenue
Highland Hills
Tri-C Eastern Campus
All trips: Broadway Avenue, then:
  • 19, 19B: Miles Road
  • 19A: Turney Road
15.7 miles (25.3 km)
Corlett
Caine-East 131st Loop
7.8 miles (12.6 km) Overnight trips
19A Broadway Maple Heights
Southgate Transit Center (19A)
15.4 miles (24.8 km)
19B Broadway Bedford Heights
Fargo Avenue (19B)
14.8 miles (23.8 km) Rush hour trips
22 Lorain Downtown
Rockwell Avenue and East 3rd Street
Fairview Park
Westgate Transit Center
Lorain Avenue 11.8 miles (19.0 km) 24-hour service
25 Madison-Clark Clark Avenue, Madison Avenue 16.6 miles (26.7 km) Serves Lakeview Terrace weekday daytime
Edgewater
West 117th-Madison station
11.1 miles (17.9 km) Overnight trips
26 Detroit Fairview Park
Westgate Transit Center
Detroit Avenue 10.1 miles (16.3 km) Overnight trips
Westlake
Crocker Park
Detroit Avenue, Center Ridge Road 17.2 miles (27.7 km) Weekend and other weekday trips
Westlake
Tri-C Westshore Campus
19.4 miles (31.2 km) Every 3rd weekday trip
26A Detroit Detroit Avenue, Detroit Road 19.1 miles (30.7 km) Weekday trips
Westlake
Crocker Park
17.1 mi (27.5 km) Weekend and late weekday evening trips
28 Euclid East Cleveland
Stokes-Windermere Station
Euclid
Tungsten
Euclid Avenue 7.1 miles (11.4 km) 24-hour service
28A Euclid Euclid
Shore Center Plaza
Euclid Avenue, East 222nd Street 7.5 miles (12.1 km)
31 St. Clair-Babbitt Hayden Avenue, Saint Clair Avenue, Babbitt Road 9.2 miles (14.8 km) Limited trips serve Euclid Amazon Center
34 East 200-Green Euclid
Shore Center Plaza
Highland Hills
Tri-C Eastern Campus
East 200th Street, Green Road, Richmond Road 14.2 miles (22.9 km) Weekdays only
Parallels and shares both termini with Route 94
35 Lee Blvd-East 123 East Cleveland
East 129th Street Loop
Cleveland Heights
Severance Town Center
East 123rd Street, Euclid Avenue, Lee Boulevard, Mayfield Road 6.2 miles (10.0 km) Weekdays only
37 Hayden-East 185 East Cleveland
Stokes-Windermere Station
Euclid
Shore Center Plaza
Hayden Avenue, East 152nd Street, East 185th Street, Lake Shore Boulevard 8.4 miles (13.5 km)
39 Lakeshore Downtown
West Prospect Avenue and West 3rd Street
Willowick
Shoregate Town Center
Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Lake Shore Boulevard 16.8 miles (27.0 km) Rush hour trips
40 Lakeview-Lee Forest Hills
Taft Avenue and Eddy Road
Maple Heights
Southgate Transit Center
Lakeview Road, Superior Road, Lee Road 14.0 miles (22.5 km)
41 Warrensville East Cleveland
Stokes-Windermere Station
Noble Road/Warrensville Center Road 11.3 miles (18.2 km) Overnight trips
Glenwillow
Diamond Parkway
Noble Road/Warrensville Center Road, Columbus Road, Aurora Road, Cochran Road 23.2 miles (37.3 km)
41F Warrensville Noble Road/Warrensville Center Road, Harvard Road, US-422, Cochran Road 19.3 miles (31.1 km) Reverse rush hour peak direction trips
45 Ridge-Fulton Downtown
Rockwell Avenue and East 3rd Street
Parma
Parma Transit Center
Fulton Road, Ridge Road 10.7 miles (17.2 km)
48 East 131 University Circle
East 93rd Street and Chester Avenue
Garfield Heights
Marymount Hospital
East 131st Street 9.3 miles (15.0 km) 24-hour service
50 East 116 Lee-Miles
East 177th Street and South Miles Road
East 116th Street 10.5 miles (16.9 km)
51 MetroHealth Line-West 25th Downtown
Rockwell Avenue and East 3rd Street
Parma
Parma Transit Center
West 25th Street, Pearl Road 16.2 miles (26.1 km) Weekday daytime trips serve Tri-C Western Campus
51A MetroHealth Line-West 25th West 25th Street, State Road 12.7 miles (20.4 km)
Old Brooklyn
West 33rd Loop
6.5 miles (10.5 km) Overnight trips
53 MetroHealth Line-Broadview Downtown
West Roadway and Superior Avenue
Brecksville
Brecksville MetroHealth Center
I-90/71 , Broadview Road, Royalton Road 16.0 miles (25.7 km)
53A MetroHealth Line-Broadview North Royalton
North Royalton Loop
17.8 miles (28.6 km) Weekday rush hour trips
54 Brookpark-Rockside Garfield Heights
Garfield Commons
Brook Park
Brookpark Station
Rockside Road, Brookpark Road 13.3 miles (21.4 km) Lorain, Lake, Detroit
55 Cleveland State Line Downtown
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center
North Olmsted
Industrial Parkway Loop
All trips: Clifton Boulevard, Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, then:
  • 55: Lorain Road
  • 55B: Lake Road
  • 55C: Detroit Road
22.6 miles (36.4 km) Weekday trips bypass Edgewater Park
55B Cleveland State Line Bay Village
Cahoon Park
21.6 miles (34.8 km) Weekday rush hour peak direction trips
55C Cleveland State Line Westlake
Crocker Park
18.4 miles (29.6 km) Weekday rush hour peak direction trips
71 Pearl-Tiedeman Downtown
East 3rd Street and Rockwell Avenue
Strongsville
Howe Road and Drake Road
West 65th Street, Tiedeman Road, Pearl Road 20.9 miles (33.6 km)
77 Brecksville Downtown
West 3rd Street and Frankfort Avenue
Brecksville
Katherine Boulevard
Willow Freeway (I-77), Brecksville Road 19.7 miles (31.7 km)
78 West 117-Puritas Gold Coast
Winton Place
Brook Park
Brookpark Station
Grayton Road, Puritas Avenue (Bellaire Road), West 117th Street 11.3 miles (18.2 km)
83 Warren-West 130 Lakewood
Lakewood Park
Parma
Parma Transit Center
Warren Road, West 140th Street, West 130th Street 16.0 miles (25.7 km)
86 Rocky River Dr-Bagley Jefferson
West Park station
Parma
Tri-C Western Campus
Lorain Avenue, Rocky River Drive, Bagley Road 15.7 miles (25.3 km)
90 Broadway-Libby Downtown
West 3rd Street and Frankfort Avenue
Oakwood
Summit County Line Loop
Willow Freeway (I-77), Granger Road (Libby Road), Northfield Road, Broadway Avenue 21.3 miles (34.3 km) Alternate reverse rush hour peak direction trips run via Alexander Road
94 East 260-Richmond Euclid
Shore Center Plaza
Highland Hills
Tri-C Eastern Campus
East 260th Street, Green Road, Richmond Road 17.2 miles (27.7 km) Parallels and shares both termini with Route 34
251 Strongsville Park-n-Ride Downtown
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center
Strongsville
Strongsville Park-n-Ride
Medina Freeway (I-71), Pearl Road 18.7 miles (30.1 km) Weekday rush hour peak direction trips
Brunswick
Laurel Square Shopping Center
27.0 miles (43.5 km) Select weekday rush hour peak direction trips

• 66R Red Line (during Red Line train shutdowns)

• 67R Blue/Green Line (during Blue and Green Line train shutdowns)

Cleveland State Line

[edit]
A typical station along Clifton Boulevard on The Cleveland State Line Bus rapid transit

In December 2014, RTA opened a second bus rapid transit to serve the western suburbs of Cleveland as well as a larger portion of downtown, including Cleveland State University. Cleveland State purchased naming rights to the route. The line carries a "55" designation, the same bus route number used by the BRT's predecessor.[14]

All passengers must pay or swipe/dip their farecards on board the bus.

Only a portion of the line along Clifton Boulevard–from the western terminus of Cleveland Memorial Shoreway to Webb Road in Lakewood– includes a dedicated bus-only lane. However, the bus-only designation only applies during rush hours: with the eastbound bus-only lane active during the morning rush, and with the westbound bus-only lane active during the evening rush.

All outbound trips originate from the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center near Cleveland State and travel through downtown to Public Square before entering the west shoreway. Shortly after reaching the Lakewood border, the line divides into three sub-routes:

  • 55: Travels down Clifton and continues to follow U.S. Route 20 to Detroit Road until reaching Wagar Road where it travels south to Lorain Rd in Fairview Park, continues to North Olmsted via Great Northern Mall before terminating near the Lorain County line. Rush hour trips travel into the North Olmsted park-n-ride.[15]
  • 55B: Travels down Clifton and continues to follow Lake Road into Bay Village where it follows Wolf, West Oviatt, and Osborn Roads west to Bradley Road before returning to Lake Road to travel east to its terminus at Wolf and Cahoon Roads.[15]
  • 55C: Travels down Clifton and continues to follow U.S. Route 20 to Detroit Road until reaching Crocker Road in Westlake where it terminates at Crocker Park.[15]

The 55 base route runs 7 days a week from early A.M. though the evening. The 55B and 55C routes run Monday through Friday during the morning and evening rush hours only. B and C also travel to the Westlake Park-n-Ride.

MetroHealth Line

[edit]

On September 21, 2017, RTA announced a partnership with MetroHealth to sponsor routes 51, 51A, 53 and 53A under the brand MetroHealth Line.[16] On December 3, 2017, the rebranded MetroHealth Line began service with 20 new vehicles, fully branded with the MetroHealth logo. More than 400 bus-stop signs and 37 shelters also display the new logo along the routes. Unlike the other named lines, it features no BRT features.

Bicycles

[edit]

RTA has equipped all of its mainline buses with bicycle carriers. Each bus can carry two to three bicycles. Bicycles are also allowed on rapid transit trains (with a maximum limit of two per car) at all times, although operators have discretion to refuse bicycles if a train is overcrowded. Bicycles are not allowed access to/from the Public Square/Tower City Station through the shopping areas of Tower City Center. However, an elevator connection is permitted between the station lobby and street level, at Prospect Avenue via the south-side doors. Bicycles are also allowed to transfer between trains at Tower City Station. There is no additional charge for taking bicycles on RTA.

Funding

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When RTA was formed, Cuyahoga County voters approved a 1% county-wide sales tax, which constitutes about 70% of its operating revenue. This funding source has helped RTA maintain a higher level of service than other transit agencies in comparable cities and it also helps RTA retain some degree of political autonomy. However, it also makes RTA unusually susceptible to economic downturns.

In recent years, RTA has undertaken great efforts to improve efficiency and eliminate unnecessary costs. These efforts have included mergers with the two remaining autonomous transit agencies in Cuyahoga County, the North Olmsted Municipal Bus Line and Maple Heights Transit, and the redesigning of its routes in the suburban areas southeast, west, and south of Cuyahoga County.

A Shaker Rapid car at the Warrensville Center Road Loop in 1936

CTS fleet

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See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  3. ^ RTA, Greater Cleveland (November 18, 2012). "Executive Management Team (EMT)". Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority.
  4. ^ "Planning & Development – Transit 2025 Plan". Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  5. ^ a b c "About RTA: History of Public Transit in Greater Cleveland". Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  6. ^ Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (October 1, 2007). Greater Cleveland: Best Location for Public Transportation in the Nation. Press release. Retrieved on October 6, 2007.
  7. ^ "Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority". The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Case Western Reserve University. 1997-06-16. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
  8. ^ Clinic, UH pay to name Euclid Corridor buses. The Plain Dealer. Retrieved on March 4, 2008.
  9. ^ "RTA's HealthLine Officially Opens Along Euclid Corridor". WEWS-TV. 2008-10-23. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  10. ^ Cleveland RTA Healthline Special Section, The Plain Dealer, 2008-10-19
  11. ^ "Cleveland plans to standardise rail transit fleet". The International Light Rail Magazine. 2023-01-24. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  12. ^ Prendergast, Ken (2023-04-04). "Cleveland RTA reveals its new trains". NEOtrans.
  13. ^ "Committee Meetings - 2023-04-04" (Video). Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. 2023-04-04 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ "Clifton project ready, Cleveland State Line opens" (Press release). Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. December 8, 2014. Retrieved 2015-09-25.
  15. ^ a b c "55-A-B-C: Cleveland State Line". Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. May 24, 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-25.
  16. ^ "51-A-B-C: MetroHealth Line". Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  17. ^ Toman, James A.; Toman, Jim; Hays, Blaine S. (November 25, 1996). Cleveland's Transit Vehicles: Equipment and Technology. Kent State University Press. ISBN 978-0-87338-548-0 – via Google Books.
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