CLEVELAND -- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is receiving a special gift - one it will give right back to its customers. Thanks to the Cleveland Foundation, all rides on RTA will be free on Jan. 16, 2014.

The 'Cleveland Foundation Day' will happen once a month and its first 'gift' is a sponsored day on RTA. All Greater Cleveland area residents will ride all Rapid, bus, HealthLine and Paratransit services for free, all day on Jan. 16, 2014.  

“We feel the best way to honor our 100th birthday is to give back to Greater Cleveland, to celebrate the generations of donors who have supported us through the years and partnered with us to give $1.7 billion in grants to our community,” said Ronald B. Richard, president and CEO of the Cleveland Foundation. “Through the organizations involved in our monthly surprise gifts, we’ll be highlighting community assets the foundation and our donors have played a role in building or enhancing through the years.”

“Whether it is getting to work, to school, the doctors or to the grocery store, many people rely on RTA to get to their destination,” said Joseph Calabrese, General Manager, RTA. “We applaud the Cleveland Foundation and their birthday gift to our community. We know our customers will greatly appreciate the fact that their fare is a gift. We hope this will encourage Greater Cleveland residents who don’t normally use RTA to do so for the day -- and then maybe for a majority of their travel needs!"

The Cleveland Foundation gave its first grant to the RTA in 1981. The two organizations have worked together on a variety of projects, most recently collaborating on the new Little Italy-University Circle and Cedar-University stations under construction.

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