Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

Last updated
Regional Transit Authority
Cleveland RTA logo.svg
Cocoa with Santa Claus (51728473259).jpg
Cleveland August 2015 28 (RTA Green Line).jpg
GCRTA New Flyer DE60LF-BRT.jpg
RTA Red Line 2023.jpg
RTA services, top left to bottom right: local bus, Blue & Green Line light rail, bus rapid transit, and Red Line subway
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 ridership81,100 (weekdays, Q4 2024) [1]
Annual ridership24,875,000 (2024) [2]
Chief executiveIndia Birdsong Terry [3]
Website riderta.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 and the surrounding suburbs of Cuyahoga County in Ohio, United States. RTA is the largest transit agency in Ohio, with a ridership of 24,875,000, or about 81,100 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2024.

Contents

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

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 in 1942, 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 HealthLine at Public Square.jpg
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

YearManufacturerModelFleet NumbersEngineTransmissionGarageNotes
2003New FlyerC30LF'18-23Cummins Westport C Gas PlusZF 6HP592C
  • 22-23 Allison B300R
Hayden
2007New FlyerC35LF'137-154Cummins Westport C Gas PlusAllison B400RHayden
2004New FlyerC30LF'250-265Cummins Westport C Gas PlusZF 6HP592CHayden
2005New FlyerC30LF'266-267Cummins Westport C Gas PlusZF 6HP592CHayden
2006New FlyerC30LF'268-271Cummins Westport C Gas PlusZF 6HP592CHayden
2010New FlyerD30LF'272-279Cummins ISL9Allison B300RHayden
2004NABI35 LFW280-300Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGRAllison B400R-6Triskett
2002OrionV CNG 35'301-325Cummins Westport ISL-GVoith D864.3EHaydenOriginally Had Detroit Diesel Series 50G Engines
2013FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 60'401-433Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2005New FlyerC40LF'501-510Cummins Westport C Gas PlusVoith D864.3EHayden
2011GilligBRT CNG 35'511-520Cummins Westport ISL-GVoith D864.5Hayden
2012GilligBRT CNG 29'601-620Cummins Westport ISL-GVoith D864.5Hayden
2013GilligBRT CNG 35'701-705Cummins Westport ISL-GVoith D864.5Hayden
2014GilligBRT CNG 35'706-724Cummins Westport ISL-GVoith D864.5Hayden
2012GilligLow Floor HEV 40'725-736Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2017GilligBRT CNG 29'801-820Cummins Westport ISL-G NZVoith D864.6Hayden
2024GilligBRT CNG 29'901-920Cummins Westport L9NVoith D867.8 NXTHayden
2001MCID45001001-1023Detroit Diesel Series 60Allison B500RTriskettUsed for the 251 but sometimes seen on the 16, 53A, 55B, 55C & 77.
2013FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 60'1024-1050Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2002MCID45001051-1053Detroit Diesel Series 60Allison B500RTriskettUsed for the 251 but sometimes seen on the 16, 53A, 55B, 55C & 77.
2011FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 60'1150-1159Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2011FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 40'1160-1173Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2012FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 40'1200-1209Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2010GilligLow Floor 40'1301-1315Cummins ISL9Allison B500RTriskett
2010New FlyerXDE401316-1330Cummins ISL9Allison EP40

hybrid system

Triskett
2011New FlyerXDE401331-1345Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2012New FlyerXDE401346-1355Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2013FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 60'1401-1440Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2013New FlyerXDE401441-1458Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2013New FlyerXDE401459-1473Cummins ISB6.7BAE Systems

HDS200 hybrid system

Triskett
2009NABI60 BRT1474-1480Cummins ISLAllison B500RTriskett
2014New FlyerXDE401481-1493Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2006New FlyerC40LF'1494-1540Cummins Westport C Gas PlusVoith D864.3EHayden
2007New FlyerC40LF'1601-1640Cummins Westport C Gas PlusAllison B400RHayden
2008MCID45001701-1706Detroit Diesel Series 60 EGRAllison B500RTriskettUsed for the 251 but sometimes seen on the 16, 53A, 55B, 55C & 77.
2008New FlyerC40LF'1707-1712Cummins Westport ISL-GZF 6HP594CHayden
2003GilligLow Floor 35'1713-1724Cummins Westport ISL-GAllison B400RTriskettOriginally Had Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR Engines
2010MCID45001801-1806Detroit Diesel Series 60 EGRAllison B500RTriskettUsed for the 251 but sometimes seen on the 16, 53A, 55B, 55C & 77.
2008New FlyerC40LFR'1807-1840Cummins Westport ISL-GAllison B400RHayden
2020MCID4500CT1901-1909Cummins X12Allison B500-6TriskettUsed for the 251 but sometimes seen on the 16, 53A, 55B, 55C & 77.
2009New FlyerC40LF'1910-1940Cummins Westport ISL-GAllison B400RHayden
2015New FlyerXDE402001-2040Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2001NovaLFS 40'2101-2149Cummins ISCAllison B400RTriskett
2011FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 60'2150-2159Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2011FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 40'2160-2173Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2002NABI40 LFW2201-2320Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGRAllison B400R-6Triskett
2003NABI40 LFW2401-2505Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGRAllison B400R-6Triskett
2004FreightlinerFB65 32'2506-2522Caterpillar C7Allison 2400 PTSTriskett
2004New FlyerC40LF'2523-2541Cummins Westport C Gas PlusVoith D864.3EHayden
2004FreightlinerFB65 60'2542-2560Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGRAllison B500RTriskett
2005NABI40 LFW2601-2648Caterpillar C9Allison B400R-6Triskett
2006FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 32'2701-2720Caterpillar C9Allison EP40

hybrid system

Triskett
2007NABI40 LFW2801-2845Caterpillar C9Allison B400R-6Triskett
2008New FlyerDE60LFA2900-2920Caterpillar C9Allison EP50

hybrid system

Triskett
2008FreightlinerM2 32'2921-2950Cummins ISBAllison 2200 PTSTriskett
2008New FlyerD60LFA2951-2953Cummins ISLAllison B500RTriskett
2009FreightlinerM2 32'2954-2960Cummins ISBAllison 2200 PTSTriskett
2010FreightlinerM2 32'2961-3000Cummins ISB6.7Allison 2200 PTSTriskett
2010New FlyerD60LFR3001-3017Cummins ISL9Allison B500RTriskett
2011NABI60 BRT HEV'3150-3159Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2011NABI40 LFW HEV'3160-3173Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2013New FlyerXD603201-3216Cummins ISL9Allison B500RTriskett3201-3216 are use for the Cleveland State Line BRT 55/55B/55C
2013FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 32'3217-3250Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2014New FlyerXD603251-3257Cummins ISL9Allison B500RTriskett3251-3257 are use for the 22
2013FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 60'3258-3300Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2014-2015GilligBRT Plus CNG 40'3301-3390Cummins Westport ISL-GAllison B400R-6Hayden & Triskett3301 is a 2014 Model. 3301-3366 belong to Hayden Garage & 3367-3390 belong to Triskett Garage.
2016FreightlinerM2 32'3391-3400Cummins ISB6.7Allison 2200 PTSTriskett
2017GilligBRT Plus CNG 40'3401-3416Cummins Westport ISL-G NZAllison B400R-6Hayden
2017GilligBRT Plus Diesel 40'3501-3520Cummins L9Allison B400R-6Triskett
2017FreightlinerM2 32'3521-3550Cummins ISB6.7Allison 2200 PTSTriskett
2018GilligBRT Plus Diesel 40'3551-3559Cummins L9Allison B400R-6Triskett
2018GilligBRT Plus CNG 40'3601-3633Cummins Westport L9NAllison B400R-6Hayden
2015GilligLow Floor Trolley Replica 40'3701-3703Cummins ISL9Allison B400R-6Triskett
2016GilligLow Floor Trolley Replica 40'3704-3712Cummins ISL9Allison B400R-6Triskett
2013FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 60'3713-3742Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2020GilligBRT Plus CNG 40'3801-3806Cummins Westport L9NAllison B3400xFEHayden
2020FreightlinerM2 32'3807-3850Cummins B6.7Allison 2200 PTSTriskett
2020GilligBRT Plus CNG 40'3851-3869Cummins Westport L9NAllison B3400xFEHayden
2022GilligBRT Plus CNG 40'3901-3920Cummins Westport L9NAllison B3400xFETriskett
2022GilligBRT Plus Diesel 40'4001-4020Cummins L9Allison B3400xFETriskettUse for the Metro Health Line BRT 51/51A and 53/53A
2023GilligBRT Plus CNG 40'4101-4120Cummins Westport L9NAllison B3400xFEHayden
2013FreightlinerM2 60'4900-4906Cummins ISL9Allison B500RTriskett
2013FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 60'4907-4940Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2011FreightlinerM2 32'5001-5020Cummins ISB6.7Allison 2200 PTSTriskett
2011FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 32'5101-5120Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2012FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 32'5201-5220Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2019FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 32'5301-5320Cummins L9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2021New FlyerXN606001-6016Cummins Westport L9NAllison B500RHaydenUse for the Health Line BRT
2022GilligBRT 35'6101-6120Cummins L9Allison B400RTriskett
2023GilligBRT 35'6201-6220Cummins L9Allison B400RTriskett
2024GilligLow Floor Plus 40'6301-6355Cummins L9Allison B500RTriskett
2014New FlyerXD40'6401-6420Cummins ISL9Allison B400RTriskett
2015New FlyerXD40'6501-6520Cummins ISL9Allison B400RTriskett
2016New FlyerXD40'6601-6620Cummins ISL9Allison B400RTriskett
2017New FlyerXD40'6701-6720Cummins L9Allison B400RTriskett
2018ChevroletG4500 27'6801-6820GM 6.0L Vortec V8 gasolineGM 6L90 6 speed automaticTriskett
2019ChevroletG4500 27'6901-6920GM 6.0L Vortec V8 gasolineGM 6L90 6 speed automaticTriskett
2020ChevroletG4500 Hybrid 27'7001-7020Cummins L9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

2021FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 32'7101-7120Cummins L9Allison H 40 EPTM

hybrid system

Triskett
2006MCID4500CL7121-7187Detroit Diesel Series 60Allison B500RTriskettUsed for the 251 but sometimes seen on the 16, 53A, 55B, 55C & 77.
2011FreightlinerM2 60'7188-7200Cummins ISL9Allison B500RTriskett
2022New FlyerXD40'7201-7256Cummins L9Allison B400RTriskett
2023New FlyerXD40'7301-7320Cummins L9Allison B400RTriskett
2014FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 60'7321-7368Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2024NovaLFS 40'7401-7420Cummins L9ZF 6AP1420BTriskett
2024NovaLFS 35'7501-7520Cummins L9ZF 6AP1420BTriskett
2025FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 32'7521-7540Cummins L9Allison eGen Flex H 40

hybrid system

Triskett
2025FreightlinerM2 Redliner Hybrid 32'7601-7649Cummins L9RAllison eGen Flex H 40

hybrid system

Triskett
2012FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 60'7650-7659Cummins ISL9Allison H 50 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2012FreightlinerM2 Hybrid 35'7660-7673Cummins ISL9Allison H 40 EP

hybrid system

Triskett
2024FreightlinerM2 32'7674-7685Cummins B6.7 eGen FlexAllison 2200 PTSTriskett
2025FreightlinerM2 32'7686-7700Cummins B6.7 eGen FlexAllison 2200 PTSTriskett
2026FreightlinerM2 32'7701-7708Cummins B6.7 eGen FlexAllison 2200 PTSTriskett
2027FreightlinerM2 32'7709-7716Cummins B7.2Allison 2200 PTSTriskett
2007NABI60 BRT7717-7719Cummins ISLAllison B500RTriskett

List of bus routes

In 2024, the GCRTA bus system had a ridership of 20,257,600, or about 67,300 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2024.

  = 15-minute midday frequency
  = 30-minute midday frequency
  = 45-minute midday frequency
  = 60-minute or less midday frequency
Other colors denote special routes


Route NameTerminal 1Terminal 2viaLengthnotes
1 St. Clair Downtown
Superior Avenue and West 6th Street
South Collinwood
East 153rd Street Loop
Saint Clair Avenue7.7 miles (12.4 km)24-hour service
2 East 79 Glenville
Maud Loop
Tremont
Steelyard Commons
Harvard Avenue, East 79th Street12.2 miles (19.6 km)Weekdays only
3 SuperiorDowntown
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 MonticelloEast Cleveland
Stokes-Windermere Station
Richmond Heights
Richmond Park Drive North
Monticello Boulevard7.4 miles (11.9 km)
7A Monticello Mayfield Heights
SOM Center Road and Mayfield Road
Monticello Boulevard/Wilson Mills Road10.0 miles (16.1 km)Weekdays only
8 Cedar-BuckeyeDowntown
East 6th Street and Lakeside Avenue
Buckeye-Shaker
Shaker Square
Cedar Avenue, Buckeye Road8.1 miles (13.0 km)
9 Mayfield-HoughDowntown
West Prospect Avenue and West 3rd Street
Mayfield Heights
SOM Center Road and Mayfield Road
Payne Avenue, Hough Avenue, Mayfield Road, Severance Town Center16.0 miles (25.7 km)
10 East 105-LakeshoreSouth 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-CedarDowntown
West Prospect Avenue and West 3rd Street
Beachwood
Montifiore Hospital
Community College Avenue (Quincy Avenue), Cedar Road13.1 miles (21.1 km)
14 KinsmanDowntown
West 6th Street and West Prospect Avenue
Pepper Pike
Lander Circle
Chagrin Boulevard/Kinsman Road17.3 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 Road15.7 miles (25.3 km)
15 Union-Harvard Highland Hills
Tri-C Eastern Campus
Broadway, Union Avenue, Harvard Avenue14.4 miles (23.2 km)
16 East 55Tremont
Steelyard Commons
Saint Clair-Superior
Horizon Science Academy Cleveland
East 55th Street10.9 miles (17.5 km)Weekdays only
18 West 98-GarfieldEdgewater
West Boulevard-Cudell station
Garfield Heights
Marymount Hospital
Garfield Boulevard, Harvard Avenue, West 98th Street17.0 miles (27.4 km)
19 BroadwayDowntown
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 LorainDowntown
Rockwell Avenue and East 3rd Street
Fairview Park
Westgate Transit Center
Lorain Avenue11.8 miles (19.0 km)24-hour service
Alternate weekend trips run east of West Park station
25 Madison-ClarkClark Avenue, Madison Avenue16.6 miles (26.7 km)Serves Lakeview Terrace weekday daytime
Edgewater
West 117th-Madison station
11.1 miles (17.9 km)Overnight trips
26 DetroitFairview Park
Westgate Transit Center
Detroit Avenue10.1 miles (16.3 km)Overnight trips
Westlake
Crocker Park
Detroit Avenue, Center Ridge Road17.2 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 DetroitDetroit Avenue, Detroit Road19.1 miles (30.7 km)Weekday trips
Westlake
Crocker Park
17.1 mi (27.5 km)Weekend and late weekday evening trips
28 EuclidEast Cleveland
Stokes-Windermere Station
Euclid
Tungsten
Euclid Avenue7.1 miles (11.4 km)24-hour service
28A EuclidEuclid
Shore Center Plaza
Euclid Avenue, East 222nd Street7.5 miles (12.1 km)
31 St. Clair-BabbittHayden Avenue, Saint Clair Avenue, Babbitt Road9.2 miles (14.8 km)Limited trips serve Euclid Amazon Center
34 East 200-GreenEuclid
Shore Center Plaza
Highland Hills
Tri-C Eastern Campus
East 200th Street, Green Road, Richmond Road14.2 miles (22.9 km)Weekdays only
35 Lee Blvd-East 123East Cleveland
East 129th Street Loop
Cleveland Heights
Severance Town Center
East 123rd Street, Euclid Avenue, Lee Boulevard, Mayfield Road6.2 miles (10.0 km)Weekdays only
37 Hayden-East 185East Cleveland
Stokes-Windermere Station
Euclid
Shore Center Plaza
Hayden Avenue, East 152nd Street, East 185th Street, Lake Shore Boulevard8.4 miles (13.5 km)
39 LakeshoreDowntown
West Prospect Avenue and West 3rd Street
Willowick
Shoregate Town Center
Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Lake Shore Boulevard16.8 miles (27.0 km)Rush hour trips
40 Lakeview-LeeForest Hills
Taft Avenue and Eddy Road
Maple Heights
Southgate Transit Center
Lakeview Road, Superior Road, Lee Road14.0 miles (22.5 km)
41 WarrensvilleEast Cleveland
Stokes-Windermere Station
Noble Road/Warrensville Center Road11.3 miles (18.2 km)Overnight and select or alternate trips
Glenwillow
Diamond Parkway
Noble Road/Warrensville Center Road, Columbus Road, Aurora Road, Cochran Road23.2 miles (37.3 km)
41F WarrensvilleNoble Road/Warrensville Center Road, Harvard Road, US-422, Cochran Road19.3 miles (31.1 km)Reverse rush hour peak direction trips
45 Ridge-FultonDowntown
Rockwell Avenue and East 3rd Street
Parma
Parma Transit Center
Fulton Road, Ridge Road10.7 miles (17.2 km)
48 East 131 University Circle
East 93rd Street and Chester Avenue
Garfield Heights
Marymount Hospital
East 131st Street9.3 miles (15.0 km)24-hour service
50 East 116 Lee-Miles
East 177th Street and South Miles Road
East 116th Street10.5 miles (16.9 km)
51 MetroHealth Line-West 25thDowntown
Rockwell Avenue and East 3rd Street
Parma
Parma Transit Center
West 25th Street, Pearl Road16.2 miles (26.1 km)Weekday daytime trips serve Tri-C Western Campus
51A MetroHealth Line-West 25thWest 25th Street, State Road12.7 miles (20.4 km)
Old Brooklyn
West 33rd Loop
6.5 miles (10.5 km)Overnight trips
53 MetroHealth Line-BroadviewDowntown
West Roadway and Superior Avenue
Brecksville
Brecksville MetroHealth Center
I-90/71 , Broadview Road, Royalton Road16.0 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-RocksideGarfield Heights
Garfield Commons
Brook Park
Brookpark Station
Rockside Road, Brookpark Road13.3 miles (21.4 km)
55 Cleveland State LineDowntown
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 LineWestlake
Crocker Park
18.4 miles (29.6 km)Weekday rush hour peak direction trips
71 Pearl-TiedemanDowntown
East 3rd Street and Rockwell Avenue
Strongsville
Howe Road and Drake Road
West 65th Street, Tiedeman Road, Pearl Road20.9 miles (33.6 km)
77 BrecksvilleDowntown
West 3rd Street and Frankfort Avenue
Brecksville
Katherine Boulevard
Willow Freeway (I-77), Brecksville Road19.7 miles (31.7 km)
78 West 117-PuritasGold Coast
Winton Place
Brook Park
Brookpark Station
Grayton Road, Puritas Avenue (Bellaire Road), West 117th Street11.3 miles (18.2 km)
83 Warren-West 130 Lakewood
Lakewood Park
Parma
Parma Transit Center
Warren Road, West 140th Street, West 130th Street16.0 miles (25.7 km)
86 Rocky River Dr-Bagley Jefferson
West Park station
Parma
Tri-C Western Campus
Lorain Avenue, Rocky River Drive, Bagley Road15.7 miles (25.3 km)
90 Broadway-LibbyDowntown
West 3rd Street and Frankfort Avenue
Oakwood
Summit County Line Loop
Willow Freeway (I-77), Granger Road (Libby Road), Northfield Road, Broadway Avenue21.3 miles (34.3 km)Alternate reverse rush hour peak direction trips run via Alexander Road
94 East 260-RichmondEuclid
Shore Center Plaza
Highland Hills
Tri-C Eastern Campus
East 260th Street, Green Road, Richmond Road17.2 miles (27.7 km)
251 Strongsville Park-n-RideDowntown
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center
Strongsville
Strongsville Park-n-Ride
Medina Freeway (I-71), Pearl Road18.7 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

A typical station along Clifton Boulevard on The Cleveland State Line Bus rapid transit RTA Cleveland State Line Station2.jpg
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:

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

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

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

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

CTS fleet

See also

References

  1. "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  2. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  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. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 3 "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.