CLEVELAND -- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) reports a very busy day on Jan 16, 2014 --- the first free day in almost 20 years.

Thanks to the Cleveland Foundation and their gift to RTA, all customers rode for free for 24 hours.

Here are the numbers - Jan 16, 2014

Bus & Train: (all bus routes except for HealthLine, all ‘Rapids'): Up 25 percent overall from a typical weekday.

HealthLine: Up 41 percent from a typical weekday and the sixth highest single ridership day over the last eight months.

Customer Service Call Center: A 54 percent increase in calls. More than 3,100 calls were answered yesterday between 7 a.m.-6 p.m. A typical weekday usually entails about 1,700 calls. This daily total makes it even a busier day than St. Patrick's Day.

Web site usage: There were 20,600 visits -- a 40 percent increase in usage on www.riderta.com from a typical weekday.

RTA thanks the Cleveland Foundation for this valuable gift and all current and new customers who benefited from the free ride day.

RTA provides quality, economic and safe public transportation via rail, bus and Paratransit throughout Cuyahoga County. Real-time information is available for all buses and trains. Check www.riderta.com or call the RTAnswerline at 216-621-9500.

Media Contact: Mary Shaffer, Public Relations: 216-566-5211