Rider's Digest -- November 2018

Win a Free Trip to Iceland

We’re celebrating 50 years of the Red Line Rapid’s direct airport service by giving away a free trip to Iceland! Enjoy five days and four nights in the land of fire and ice, courtesy of RTA and Icelandair. We’ll provide round-trip airfare for two, hotel accommodations (with breakfast included), a Golden Circle tour, and hotel and airport transfers from Reykjavík Excursions.

Every valid email address receives one entry. This promotion runs through November 11, so be sure to enter today. 

Or mail a 4” x 6” card to: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority at 1240 West 6th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113, Attn: Iceland Sweepstakes. The following information must be included: your full name, complete mailing address, a valid email address (if available—if not, print “no email address”), and a valid telephone number. Only one entry card will be accepted per person. All entries become the exclusive property of the sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Good luck!

Celebrating 50 Years of Direct Airport Service

This month, we’re celebrating 50 years of direct rapid transit service to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The Red Line began operations in the 1950s and progressively extended service to the west until November 1968, when the final segment connecting the West 150th Street Station with Cleveland Hopkins International Airport was put in place. Upon this project’s completion, Cleveland officially became the first metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere to have a direct rapid transit connection between its central business district and an international airport. 

Today, the Red Line is still running strong. It provides a direct line to the airport 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with trains departing every 15 minutes—which adds up to nearly one hundred daily arrivals and departures.

By taking advantage of the Red Line, customers can:
• Avoid daily fees by parking for free at one of our many lots
• Dodge traffic, and all the stress that comes with it
• Evade inclement weather, as the Rapid drops you off inside the airport terminal
• Travel from the Tower City Station to the terminal in about 25 minutes

Regardless of where you live—west side, east side, or downtown—the Red Line is the perfect connection to your next flight. Because whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, the Rapid will always deliver a first-class experience. 

Operator Spotlight: Alicia Watley

Whether a vehicle is on tires or tracks, operator Alicia Watley has probably driven it. In her previous role, Alicia drove a school bus. That experience definitely helped to prepare her for her next position as an RTA Bus Operator out of the old Harvard Garage.

After driving RTA buses for about five years, Alicia was offered the opportunity to work at the Rail District. Never one to turn down a challenge, she decided to make the switch and has remained a Rail Operator for the past eight years.

And while her passengers are glad such a seasoned professional is at the helm, Alicia does miss the personal connections she forged with riders while driving the bus. Regardless of the vehicle she’s operating, Alicia still brings the same level of passion to her job. We can always count on her to help customers reach their final destinations on time and to live out RTA’s mission of providing safe, reliable, clean, and courteous public transportation.

Her advice to people looking to be an operator also makes for good advice in general: “No matter what obstacles you are faced with, never give up, and always give life your best shot.”

When Alicia isn’t driving trains through Cleveland, she enjoys traveling with her family and friends to Jamaica.

Service Change– December 2

The following timetables will be changing on December 2: HealthLine, 10, 41-41F, MetroHealth Line (51, 51A, 51B/C), and 79-79A.

New timetables are will be posted soon, and physical copies can be obtained at RTA’s Main Office (1240 W. 6th St.) or Tower City Rapid Station approximately one week prior to the effective date.

Ride RTA to the Browns

Hightail it to your tailgate with RTA! Run an efficient route past game day traffic by taking any Rapid line to Tower City and then transferring to the Waterfront Line. Exit at the West 3rd Street Station, which is right across from FirstEnergy Stadium.

RTA runs extra service on game days, so we always have room for a twelfth (wo)man—and all of their friends, too.

Our home games for this month take place on November 4 and 11, both at 1 p.m., against the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, respectively.

November 24: Celebrate Winterfest

’Tis the season! Bring friends and family to enjoy all the holiday fun Cleveland has to offer at Winterfest. This free event, which is designed for all ages, starts at 1:00 p.m. and continues until 7:30. There will be games, sleigh rides, and ice skating. Be sure to stick around for the tree-lighting ceremony at 6:00. We heard there might even be a special appearance from Santa Claus himself!

Because this day of fun is conveniently located at Public Square, simply take any Rapid line to the Tower City Station. Then step outside and enjoy yourself!

Nominate GM Customer Service Award Winners

Please take a moment to submit your nominations for The General Manager’s Customer Service Award. This honor recognizes employees or employee groups who have delivered exceptional customer service. All RTA employees or employee groups are eligible for the award.

The Interim General Manager will review all nominations and make the final selection of award recipients. 

RTA Runs Holiday Service on Thanksgiving

Sunday/Holiday service will be in effect on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 22). Regular service will resume Friday, November 23.

We hope you enjoy happy and healthy celebrations.

Special Events at The Q

There’s an eclectic mix of special events coming up at Quicken Loans Arena. On Saturday, November 3,  The Q will host Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour.” The rocket man has announced this will be his final tour, so it’s sure to be a spectacular show. 

And November 15–18, you can catch the world-famous Cirque du Soleil performers in their new show “Corteo,” which is sure to be a fear-defying delight.

Tickets for both events are available on The Q’s website. And you can easily arrive at the venue by taking any Rapid line to Tower City and then taking a brief stroll through RTA’s Walkway, which is open two hours before every event at The Q.

RTA Receives Budget Presentation Award

RTA is proud to receive the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2017 operating and capital budget. The award is conferred by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), an organization representing public finance officials dedicated to excellence in state and local government financial management across the U.S. and Canada. This marks the 30th consecutive year RTA has won the budget presentation award.

“We’re all pleased that, once again, RTA is recognized on a national and international level for its solid financial program,” said Dr. Floun’say Caver, RTA Interim CEO, General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer. “These consecutive awards show that RTA has a long-demonstrated history of operating efficiently within budget constraints.”