- Nov. 28: Ride RTA to see holiday lighting ceremony at Playhouse Square
- Nov. 22: Timetables change for some bus and rail routes
- Through Nov. 6: Bus shuttle allows work to continue at Brookpark Station
- A note from RTA General Manager Joe Calabrese
- Nov. 26-28: Service set for Thanksgiving holiday weekend
- Work progresses at Lee-Van Aken Blue Line station
- RTA riders can reach a myriad of events this month
- For Your Safety: If you see something, say something
Nov. 28: Ride RTA to see holiday lighting ceremony at Playhouse Square
One of Cleveland’s most beloved traditions – the holiday lighting ceremony – is set for 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at Playhouse Square. See Santa, fireworks and the lighting of the tree under the GE Chandelier. RTA is partnering with other corporate sponsors to provide a full day of free family activities, beginning at 1 p.m.
Ride the Rapid, take the trolley
Park free at any Rapid station, buy an All-Day Pass, and ride into the Tower City Station. From there, ride the HealthLine or a free C-Line trolley to Playhouse Square. The trolley operates from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Fares: An All-Day Pass for the Rapid and HealthLine is $5 for adults, $4 for students, and $2.50 for seniors, disabled and children age 6-12, when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Children younger than age 6 are free.
Better yet, walk down Euclid Avenue, from Public Square to Playhouse Square, and enjoy Cleveland at its holiday finest. The street will be decorated with thousands of sparkling holiday lights after the ceremony.
Family fun for all
Enjoy live music, carriage rides, food, children’s activities and shopping. See events from Tower City’s Toy Soldier performance to Cleveland Playhouse’s Festival of Trees and everything in between. The Cleveland Public Library offers a holiday-themed music program, a visit from live reindeer and more. Outside the library, horse-drawn carriage rides offer a unique view of Downtown Cleveland.
After the ceremony, get cozy by the permanent fire pit at U.S. Bank Plaza in Playhouse Square, or watch the Cavaliers play the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena,
Nov. 22: Timetables change for some bus and rail routes
Some RTA bus and train timetables will change on Sunday, Nov. 22.
Riders can pick up new timetables for the
- Cleveland State Line
- Blue Line, Green Line
- 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 21, 25, 26
- 28/28A, 32, 38, 41/41F, 45/45A
- 48/48A, 51, 79A/B, 90F.
The change also affects the C-Line and NineTwelve Trolley, but timetables are not printed for trolley routes.
Some changes deserve special mention.
- 8, The route name will change. Business day service will be extended to Miles-East 131.
- 9, Because of the opening of the Little Italy-University Circle Station, the route will end at the Cleveland Clinic, instead of the Cedar-University Station.
- 28/28A, The Lakeshore branch will be designated as 28A.
- 58, Will be replaced with extended route 8 trips.
- NineTwelve Trolley, The route will end at Chester Avenue and East Ninth Street, instead of Huron Avenue and East Sixth Street.
- Waterfront Line service will be extended to 12:05 a.m.
Where to obtain new timetables
- Go to Schedules and Maps page. They will be posted as soon as they are available/
- Data on RTA’s trip planner will be updated before Nov. 22.
- Stop by RTA’s Main Office, 1240 W. Sixth St.
- Visit RTA's Customer Service Center at the Tower City Station.
- To order a timetable by mail, call the RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500.
New real-time route information will be available when the changes are effective.
Through Nov. 6: Bus shuttle allows work to continue at Brookpark Station
Through Nov. 6, buses replace Red Line trains between the Puritas and Airport stations. This allows RTA to continue construction on a new Brookpark Station.
Buses will pick up customers at specially marked 66R signs at Hopkins Airport, Brookpark and Puritas stations. The 66R stop at the Airport is in the Limo Lot, between the Terminal and the Smart Parking Garage.
Please allow an extra 20 minutes for your trip.
Sports fans who normally park at Brookpark should use parking lots at the Puritas, West Park or Triskett stations for the Oct. 30 Cavs home opener or the Nov. 1 Browns game.
A note from RTA General Manager Joe Calabrese
RTA continues to make a sizeable investment in safer rail service and more modern rail stations. This investment comes at a price.
We apologize for any inconvenience of these rail shutdowns, and promise you that we are working to keep them to a minimum.
During this holiday season, we count our loyal customers as our biggest blessing. We truly appreciate your on-going support. Thank you.
Nov. 26-28: Service set for Thanksgiving holiday weekend
For RTA information 24/7, use the trip planner at www.rideRTA.com, or call the automated attendant at 216-621-9500. Here’s the service schedule.
Thursday, Nov. 26 – Thanksgiving Day. RTA operates Sunday/holiday service. All offices are closed.
Friday, Nov. 27 – RTA operates regular weekday service. The RTAnswerline, and the Customer Service desk at the Tower City Station, will be staffed from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 28 – RTA operates Saturday service. The RTAnswerline will be staffed from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Ride the Rapid to the Tower City Station to enjoy the holiday lighting ceremony and other Downtown attractions.
Work progresses at Lee-Van Aken Blue Line station
Work is moving forward as RTA works to rebuild the Lee-Van Aken Station on the Blue Line.
Westbound customers are now using the new stairs on the north side. Later this month:
- New stairs and elevators will be completed on both side of the tracks. The track-level ramp for westbound disabled passengers will be operational.
- The handicapped ramp at track level will be completed for eastbound customers. Improvements to the platform will be finished.
RTA riders can reach a myriad of events this month
RTA offers service to many special events in November.
FirstEnergy Stadium
- Browns play at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, and 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 for Monday Night Football.
- Ride the Waterfront Line to reach the game or RTA’s tailgate party, which starts 3 hours before each home game at the South Harbor Station.
Quicken Loans Arena
- Cavs play 8 home games this month.
- The Lake Erie Monsters skate there four times, and Scott Hamilton performs there on Nov. 7.
- Ride the Rapid into the Tower City Station, and use the Walkway to reach your Arena seat without ever going outside.
Tower City
- On the fountain level, a Boxing Invitational runs from 8-10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13. Gates open at 7 p.m. About 500 persons attended last year.
- This is only a few steps from RTA’s Tower City Station.
For Your Safety: If you see something, say something
What started out as a simple phrase in New York City after the 9-11 attacks has spread into a national safety campaign. All transit systems in the country, including RTA, encourage customers to do a simple thing.
“If you see something, say something.”
Transit Police need your vigilance to maintain safety on buses, trains and facilities.
You are asked to:
- Be alert to unattended packages.
- Be wary of suspicious behavior.
- Take note of people in bulky or inappropriate clothing.
- Report exposed wiring or other irregularities.
- Report anyone tampering with surveillance cameras or entering unauthorized areas.
- Learn the basics of safe train evacuation. On RTA trains, that information is on posters, with directions above the doors.
Describe suspicious behavior:
- WHO did you observe?
- WHAT did you see? Be specific.
- WHERE did you see it?
- WHEN did you see it?
- WHY is it suspicious?
Who should you say something to?
- Alert Transit Police, the rail or bus operator, any RTA staffer in the area, or call Transit Police, 216-566-5163. That line is answered 24/7 by a dispatcher.
- Use iWatch RTA, a free app that allows you to communicate with Transit Police anonymously, and send text, videos or photos. The app is available on iPhone and Android. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.