Media Advisory: RTA to celebrate 50 years of service to the Airport

Nov 12, 2018

RTA's 50th anniversary celebration of Red Line service to Airport is Thursday

WHO:

  • Dr. Floun’say Caver, Interim CEO/General Manager, RTA
  • Rev. Charles P. Lucas, RTA Board of Trustees, Master of Ceremonies     
  • Mr. Robert Kennedy, Director, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
  • Mr. Joseph Roman, President, Greater Cleveland Partnership
  • Ms. Hannah Belsito, Vice President of Destination Development and Community Affairs, Destination Cleveland

WHAT:  

  • RTA Celebrates 50 years of direct Red Line service to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

WHEN:

  • 11 a.m., Thursday, November 15

WHERE:

  • Cleveland Hopkins Airport, one level below baggage claim, at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Art Gallery, just outside the RTA station entrance.

WHY: 

  • On November 15, 1968, Cleveland became the first city in the world to offer direct rail service between its central business district and an international airport.
  •  RTA officials, past and present, along with civic leaders and stakeholders will mark the 50th anniversary of this service.

“The significant increase in travel and tourism to the region is making this direct rail service to the airport more valuable each day,” said RTA Interim CEO and General Manager, Dr. Floun’say Caver.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:

  • Officials will be on hand to reenact the moment when the first train broke through the welcome banner, initiating the service to the Airport. 
  • To commemorate the anniversary, Icelandair sponsored a sweepstakes, offering round-trip airfare for two to Iceland, plus four nights of hotel accommodations and a tour of the Golden Circle.
  • The sweepstakes winner and guest will join RTA Thursday at the birthday event to receive their ceremonial ticket voucher to Iceland.

See link here for Red Line Historical Time Line.

Media Contact:

Linda Scardilli Krecic
216-356-3104 (office)
216-390-9605 (cell)

Major Stations