Rider's Digest -- March 2018

March Route changes

Some routes will be altered effective Sunday, March 11, 2018, when RTA plans to modify the frequency of 15 of the system’s 52 bus routes. These changes will help RTA reduce expenses by about $4 million annually.

New timetables are now available for the Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line, Waterfront Line, Cleveland State Line, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 19, 22, 26, 30, 34, 39, 39F48-48A, 51-A-B-C MetroHealth Line, 76, 77F, 79-79A, 81, 83, and 94.

Some new changes deserve special mention:

  • 5: New alignment via Richmond Road, Harvard Avenue, and Orange Place to better serve University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, Harvard Park, Tri-C Eastern Campus, and Pinecrest.
  • 14: New Downtown alignment via Ontario Street, Superior Avenue, Chester Avenue, and CSU. POSTPONED
  • 15: New Downtown alignment via Ontario Street, Superior Avenue, Chester Avenue, and CSU. POSTPONED Realigned off of Eaton Boulevard, near the Tri-C Eastern Campus.
  • 19: New alignment via Warrensville Center, Emery and Northfield roads to better serve the new Amazon Fulfillment Center and provide better connections with route 41.
  • 39-39F: Trips to/from the Euclid Park-N-Ride will go through Bratenahl and carry a 39 route number.

What’s Coming Up at the Q Arena and Tower City

Our city is certainly offering a full slate of activities for everyone this month. Whether you’re a wrestling fan or if the only thing you’re pinning down is a wedding date, there is an event for you.

Getting to The Q is as easy as 1-2-3:

  1. Park free at any RTA Rapid station, and buy a $5.50 All-Day Pass.
  2. Ride downtown in style on any Rapid car.
  3. Exit at the Tower City Station, and stroll down the Walkway. You can go directly to your seat and never have to brace for the cold. The Walkway opens four hours before each Cavs game and three hours before every other event. It closes 90 minutes after each event ends.

If you’re already downtown, hop on one of our free Trolleys.

Finally, if buses are more your speed, RTA’s state-of-the-art HealthLine operates 24/7 on Euclid Avenue.

  1. Buy a $5.50 All-Day Pass before you board. There are red fare vending machines at each station.
  2. Board at one of the many stops in areas such as Playhouse Square, University Circle, or East Cleveland.
  3. Get off at Public Square, and stroll down the Walkway in Tower City.

Cheer on your champions

The Cavs have seven home games this month, so you have plenty of chances to see them storm the courts. Come watch (and catch all the new guys in action) on March 1, March 3, March 5, March 19, March 21, March 23, and March 30.

Their counterparts at The Q, the Cleveland Monsters, will take to the ice March 2, March 4, March 20, March 22, March 24, and March 25.

Here come the brides

The Q will host its 10th annual Bridal Show on Sunday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last year’s event hosted 50 of Northeast Ohio’s top wedding professionals, and this year is sure to be as expansive. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door.

Wrestling fans: get ready to rumble

Two major wrestling events will be taking place at Quicken Loans Arena, and both will happen within the next month.

The best college-age wrestlers in the nation come to Cleveland March 15–17, when The Q hosts the NCAA Division I Championships. Watch as a champion is crowned.

On Monday, March 26, the professional wrestlers you know and love will be battling it out during WWE Raw at 7:30 p.m. Tag team matches will feature fan favorites such as John Cena and The Miz.

Lace up your running shoes

The Q Community Fun Run is Sunday, March 25, at 9 a.m. The registration fee includes an exclusive performance t-shirt, finisher medal, B-tag chip timing, voucher for a home Monsters game, post-race snack and water, and age group awards for top finishers. Plus, look forward to appearances by Q Arena mascots and the Cavs’ and Monsters’ entertainment teams.

Concerts at The Q

Two of the biggest names in pop music are coming to Cleveland. P!nk will perform at Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. as part of her Beautiful Trauma tour. And if you loved Justin Timberlake’s halftime show, you’ll definitely want to see his concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 31.

Look forward to the Film Fest

Film lovers will flock to Tower City Cinemas when the 42nd annual Cleveland International Film Festival kicks off April 4 and runs through April 15. CIFF is very accessible by way of the Rapid: simply take any line, and you will be delivered right to Tower City. Enjoy your movies!

Tips for a great St. Patrick’s Day

Besides wearing green, of course, there are a few other things you should be aware of to make sure you have the best holiday possible.

First and foremost, bring exact change and purchase a round-trip ticket for $5 from RTA staff at select rail stations. Also, RTA will operate extra rail service to handle the crowds headed to and from downtown. In addition:

Plan ahead

Buses will be detoured off the parade route to nearby streets. Buses will remain on reroute as scheduled, even if streets re-open early.

Automated phone service on the RTAnswerline (216-621-9500) is available 24/7. Customer service representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m. until
4:30 p.m. You can also use the trip planner at rideRTA.com. Of course, the RTA CLE app is another great resource.

Allow plenty of time

St. Patrick’s Day is usually RTA’s largest ridership day of the year, so trains and buses fill up quickly. The parade starts at 1:04 p.m. at the intersection of Superior Avenue and E.18th Street. It continues down Superior, then turns right onto West Roadway for one block, before turning right and ending at
the intersection of Rockwell and Ontario Street. Arrive early to get a great spot along the parade route.

Follow directions

Transit Police and RTA staff want to provide you with a safe and enjoyable trip, and the best way to ensure that happens is to follow any and all directions they may give. Your cooperation is much appreciated.

Stay updated on social media

RTA will keep traffic reporters up-to-date as to which Rapid station parking lots are full and which still have spaces available. For more time-sensitive information, follow RTA on Twitter and Facebook, and download the Transit app for push notifications regarding route delays and detours. You can also keep track of available parking online.

No alcohol

Dispose of any open beverage containers before coming to RTA. Transit Police will be enforcing regulations.

No bikes on trains

Due to space constraints, bicycles are not allowed on trains that carry full loads. However, all RTA buses have bike racks, which hold up to three bikes.

Need help?

Look for a Transit Police officer or RTA staff, either of whom will be happy to help.

RTA is a Safe Place for at-risk youthFor your safety: RTA is a Safe Place for youth

RTA is proud to be part of the national program Safe Place.

Safe Places are sites set up in public locations where youth in crisis situations can get help immediately. They are designated with Safe Place signs, which are bright yellow and black diamond shapes. All RTA buses and trains display this sign.

Any youth aged 17 or younger can go to a Safe Place in any type of crisis or emergency situation. It’s free for the youth and their families.

Directions for youth

Tell the bus or train operator you are there because of the Safe Place sign. The operator will notify a Road Supervisor or Transit Police officer,
who will meet the bus or train at a nearby location, usually within 15–20 minutes.

The Road Supervisor or Transit Police officer will either transport you to a Safe Place shelter partner, or have a Safe Place volunteer come to meet with
you. Our shelter partners have counselors who care and want to help.

Going to the shelter is voluntary. Once you go there, no one will force you to stay; you make your own decisions. Parents have to be notified, but
counselors are there to help you.