RTA partners with Tri-C for U-Pass

RTA and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) will offer eligible Tri-C students a U-Pass for unlimited RTA rides during qualifying semesters.

 RTA partners with Tri-C for U-Pass

Nov 26, 2013

CLEVELAND -- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) will offer eligible Tri-C students a U-Pass for unlimited RTA rides during qualifying semesters.

“Through this agreement, Tri-C and RTA will benefit 30,000 students by increasing their access to classes and support services,” said Dr. Alex Johnson, Tri-C president. “This collaboration embodies our commitment to remove hurdles that may stand in the way of students’ success in their education.”

The initial 18-month program will launch with spring semester 2014 and include fall semester 2014 and spring semester 2015. The U-Pass will provide each registered student who has paid (or made payment arrangements) for one academic credit hour or more a semester-long unlimited ridership pass.

“We believe this agreement will increase our ridership and help establish a pattern of lifelong transit use and support by Tri-C students,“ said Joseph Calabrese, General Manager, RTA.

RTA's Board of Trustees will hear about the proposed group sale of tickets per semester to Tri-C on Dec. 3 and will vote on it Dec. 17.

RTA provides service via bus, rail (‘the Rapid’) and the HealthLine, carrying approximately 200,000 people each weekday throughout Cuyahoga County. Tri-C students with the U-pass will have access to all of these services. Details about RTA are on www.riderta.com.

Additional information for Tri-C students

The initiative was led by two Tri-C faculty members, Assistant Professor Rudy Stralka and Associate Professor Eric Primuth, in collaboration with RTA. Both Stralka and Primuth provided research and proposals to RTA, working with College leadership.

“This program reveals what can be achieved when the faculty and administration join with our partners in the community to help our students succeed,” said Dr. Craig Foltin, Tri-C executive vice president of Administration and Finance. “We are excited to be able to offer them even more affordable access to transit and to education.”

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.

RTA Media Contact: Mary Shaffer, 216-566-5211

Tri-C Media Contact: David Hoovler, 216-987-4854