We Hear You
How do rider voices help shape the future of public transit?
In the premiere episode of Driving Connections, host Ron Allen welcomes GCRTA General Manager and CEO India L. Birdsong Terry for a conversation about listening to riders, building trust, and preparing Greater Cleveland's transit system for the future.
The episode begins with the Rider Story of Jerome, whose experience using GCRTA after relocating to Greater Cleveland leads to a simple but important question: How often is agency leadership out riding the system? His perspective becomes the foundation for an honest conversation about why rider experiences matter and how listening to those experiences helps shape decisions across the agency.
Ron and India introduce the vision behind Driving Connections and discuss the importance of creating a platform for authentic rider voices. Along the way, they explore some of the topics riders ask about most, including GCRTA's transition to Account-Based Ticketing (ABT), the introduction of Smartcards and fare capping, how public transit is funded, and the Railcar Replacement Program that will modernize Greater Cleveland's rail fleet.
Whether you're interested in how public transit works, how GCRTA is funded, the future of rail service in Northeast Ohio, or the decisions shaping the transit system you rely on every day, this episode offers an inside look at the people, projects, and ideas moving Greater Cleveland forward.
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About the Podcast
Driving Connections is the Official Transit Podcast of Greater Cleveland, produced by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA). Every episode begins with the perspective of a real GCRTA rider, creating conversations that explore the people, decisions, and ideas shaping public transportation across Northeast Ohio. Help shape future conversations on Driving Connections. Share your ideas with us at gcrtapodcast@gcrta.org
