News & Updates: Newsroom

RTA news

 

Aug. 5, 2009

 

Red Line upgrades fare collection system

 

CLEVELAND – Starting Monday, Aug. 10, 2009, customers will see a new fare collection system on the Red Line of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA).

 

New signs and new machines have been installed in Red Line rail stations. This week and next week, staff will be on hand to help you use the new proof-of-payment system. The new system is already in service in many other transit systems around the country. Customers on RTA’s HealthLine on Euclid Avenue have been using this new fare collection system since February.

 

A faster ride

 

The proof-of-payment system offers many benefits:

• A faster ride, because there is no more on-board fare collection. With an active farecard or pass, you simply get on and go. This speeds up the boarding process and eliminates backups.
• The ability to use personal credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover) to pay for your fare.
• More Transit Police to enforce fare collection and ensure your safety.
• Improved revenue flow, so RTA can more fully capture revenue and provide service.

 

How the system works

 

Whatever you currently buy from the operator or booth attendant, you will be able to buy before you enter a “fare paid zone.”

 

You can buy your All-Day Pass, or 1-ride or 2-ride farecard, from a ticket vending machine (TVM) in each station. Look for a sign that reads Pay fares here. These machines also activate farecards and passes.

A ticket or pass purchased using the TVM will already be activated.

 

In addition, busier stations will have a customer service kiosk that offers a full range of RTA fare media. Look for a sign that reads Passes and farecards.

 

You must retain your fare media when you enter a “fare-paid zone” and at all times while riding the train. The “fare-paid zone” will be clearly marked with new signs at all stations.

 

Fare collection officers from Transit Police will be on trains regularly, asking you to show a proof-of-payment. You must retain your fare media until you have exited the rail system.

• You can use a fare purchased earlier (such as a weekly or monthly pass).
• If you are a student at a college that offers a U-Pass program, keep your college ID card with you at all times.

 

If you do not have a valid pass or farecard, you will be subject to criminal prosecution.

 

A ticket vending machine…

• Offers Braille and audio features for sight-impaired customers.
• Accepts coins and bills, but does not give change.
• Accepts debit and credit cards – Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
• Issues magnetic tickets for any kind of All-Day Pass and receipts for one-way cash fares. In other words, it simulates an on-board farebox.

 

What needs to be activated (validated) before you board

• 7-Day Flex Passes must be activated before first use only.
• All-Day Passes must be activated.
• On 5-Ride Farecards, each ride needs to be activated.

 

Monthly Passes are already activated for the month they were purchased for.

 

Passes and farecards can be activated at any ticket vending machine. Some platforms also offer a smaller unit for activation only.

 

When you exit the Red Line at Tower City, you must swipe your valid “proof-of-payment” card so you can pass the gates and go into the Rotunda area. Transit Police will be on hand to talk with fare violators.

 

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:

• Pat Kearney at 216-566-5147