RTA posts ridership growth for fifth straight year

CLEVELAND � For the fifth consecutive year, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) saw a jump in its ridership numbers.

RTA has only achieved five consecutive years of ridership growth one other time in its 32-year history. Created in 1975, RTA saw increases in five straight years from 1976 to 1980.

�This is a historic milestone for us, and it can be attributed to the quality service that we are able to provide to our customers,� says RTA CEO & General Manager Joe Calabrese. �Be it the financial savings or the fact that taking public transit is good for the environment, Greater Clevelanders recognize RTA as a viable means of transportation, and we�re excited about that.�

RTA�s continued ridership growth keeps with the national trend. In 2006, ridership topped out at 10.1 billion trips nationwide, the most in 49 years.

Ridership growth through the years:

52.7 million in 2002
53.5 million in 2003
55.5 million in 2004
57.1 million in 2005
57.2 million in 2006
57.3 million in 2007

Rail ridership saw a significant increase in 2007, up nearly 9 percent. Heavy rail was up 8 percent, while light rail saw an increase of 10 percent. Bus ridership dipped slightly, however RTA�s downtown Trolley service proved to be a continued success with daily ridership reaching 4,000 customers at times.

Calabrese continued: �We�ve had success in enhancing ridership because our goal is to offer the highest quality service possible. I assure you that we will do our best to continue to do so.�

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:

Chad Self, 216-566-5211