News & Updates: Newsroom

RTA News

 

Monday, March 25, 2002

 

RTA service & fare changes take effect March 31

 

CLEVELAND -- A number of service and fare changes are scheduled to take effect on Sunday, March 31, on bus routes operated by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA). If a route does not operate on Sunday, then the change takes effect on Monday, April 1.

 

The service changes are expected to save RTA about $1 million annually. In December, RTA proposed about $2.2 million in service reductions to balance the 2002 operating budget. After 10 community meetings and two public hearings in January, RTA scaled back the proposals to maintain service in key areas.

 

All fare and service changes are explained on www.rideRTA.com, and in Rider's Alerts posted in stations, and on buses and rail cars. For info, or to have a new schedule mailed to you, call the RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500.

 

Fare changes

 

RTA's fare changes are aimed at increasing revenue, halting abuses, and simplifying the present structure. There is no change in RTA's basic fares of $1.25 for Local and $1.50 for Express. Those fares have not increased since 1993.

 

There will be no fare increase for seniors. Seniors/disabled persons/ Medicare riders who have an RTA ID card will continue to pay 50 cents.

 

RTA will indefinitely extend a pilot project that allows ADA Paratransit users and their companions to ride fixed-route buses for free. This helps reduce demand for RTA's Paratransit service by moving some riders over to the fixed-route buses.

 

Here are the fares that are changing March 31.

 

The current 50-cent fare on Loop and Community Circulators increases to 75 cents. This does not affect riders who use weekly or monthly passes, or seniors/disabled/Medicare riders who have an RTA ID card. This change should generate about $200,000 a year for RTA.

 

The price on the weekly pass remains the same, but it will be a "flex" pass. The seven days begin with the rider's first usage, thus giving the rider more flexibility in how the pass is used.

 

Off-peak weekly passes are being eliminated.

 

Waterfront Line passes are being eliminated. Express fares apply.

 

Service changes effective March 31

 

If you ride any of the routes listed here, you should obtain a new schedule by March 31.

 

Two new routes are being created. The new Fairmount rush-hour bus service is the #42 Fairmount; and the new route which serves the southern part of the current #86 Berea-Warren is the #24 Berea.

 

#44 Snow-Rockside will be modified to operate to Parmatown Mall.

 

#35 Broadview-Quincy will be modified in both service area and frequency. It will provide service along Rockside Road to Southgate.

 

#808 West Shore Community Circulator will see a change in its route and frequency. All trips will operate via Westlake Park-N-Ride.

 

#8 Cedar-Washington will be modified in both route and frequency. Some riders will need to use the new #42 Fairmount.

 

#33 Central will run hourly on weekdays, with no Saturday service.

 

#65F Hilliard will be eliminated. Some riders can use the #246 and the #55SX.

 

#86F Berea-Olmsted Falls will be maintained with three morning and three evening trips.

 

#86 Warren-Berea will see a number of changes. Some riders should use the #24 Berea.

 

#97F Walton Hills will be eliminated.

 

#805 Slavic Village Community Circulator will discontinue service south of War Avenue, and adjust the frequency of service.

 

#7X Monticello-Euclid Heights: Service to Severance Town Center will be discontinued. Service east of Richmond Town Square will be rush-hour only.

 

#9X/9BX Mayfield: Some route changes will be made in the area of Ridgebury Blvd.

 

#32CX/SX Cedar will see minor routing changes.

 

#94 Fairmount-Richmond will be modified, with some riders now using the #42 Fairmount. New service will run to Tri-C East.

 

#46F Westlake: Reverse commute routing will be changed.

 

Many other routes will see minor adjustments.

 

RTA background

 

In 2001, more than 58.2 million passengers rode RTA's trains, buses, Community Circulators and paratransit vehicles.

 

For personalized scheduling, call the RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500, from 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday. Persons who are hearing impaired can call 216-781-4271. Commuters can visit RTA's Customer Service Center, 315 Euclid Ave., from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Service information can be accessed at www.rideRTA.com.

 

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:

Jerry Masek, 216-566-5211, jmasek@gcrta.org