Rider's Digest -- August 2018

Route Changes –School is Back in Session

Service changes for fall will be effective Sunday, August 12. Seventeen routes will be adjusted.  These changes are mostly minor schedule adjustments due to the addition of school trips and timepoint modifications due to the ongoing bus stop consolidation project.

Routes that will have new timetables include:
Red Line, MetroHealth Line (51, 51A, 51B, 51C) Cleveland State Line (55, 55A, 55B, 55C) 3, 8, 9, 11, 16, 22, 26, 41-41F, 45, 4975, 79-79A, 83 and 86.

Timetables will soon be available on the website, and hard copies can be picked up at Tower City Customer Service or the RTA Main Office Building approximately one week prior to the effective date.

 

MetroHealth Line Celebrates 1 Million Rides

The MetroHealth Line is celebrating a major milestone: its one millionth rider!

Between the 51, 51A, 51B and 51C, this route operates more than 200 bus trips per day and links the MetroHealth main campus with Downtown Cleveland to the north and the suburbs to the south. With so many destinations, it’s no wonder it’s such a popular network!

Congratulations to all operators and customers involved in this amazing achievement.

Operator Spotlight: Sheila Johnson

24 years, 5 kids and the pursuit for a good ride, have given Operator Sheila Johnson a reason to stick with RTA. Between monitoring what’s happening on and off the vehicle, driving a bus isn’t easy.  So, if you want to make it as an operator, you need to have the right attitude. “It’s about more than just driving the bus, it’s about the customer service and making sure everyone has a great ride”.

But with her, it’s not hard to do; with an infectious laugh, energetic smile and a shining personality that brings joy to everyone she meets—and every rider she serves. Regular riders can’t help but break out in a smile when they see her coming. Sheila is a hit with her customers, regardless of their age. Some of her favorite moments on the job have involved interacting with children at special events, such as Touch a
Truck in Lakewood.

Even when Sheila’s not driving the 55 or the 78 bus routes, she’s still just as happy and energetic, and just as much of a character. A mother of five, she loves visiting her grandchildren in Memphis and cooking southern comfort food from scratch. All in all, we could all learn something from Sheila about getting the most out of life—and having a good time doing it.

August 26-27: Garlic Festival

The Cleveland Garlic Festival will take over Shaker Square from 12–8 p.m. on Saturday, August 25, and 12–6 p.m. on Sunday, August 26.

The event is just steps away from the Shaker Square Rapid Station on the Green Line and Blue Line. You can also ride bus routes 11 and 48.

The festival features fun for the whole family: food, live entertainment, bungee trampolines, and “all things garlic.” Make sure to bring your own breath mints! 

Hamilton at Playhouse Square

The award-winning phenomenon Hamilton is in Cleveland for a month-long residency ending Sunday, August 26. Due to the popularity of this show, parking lots will fill up quickly. Don’t throw away your shot at a convenient transportation option: take the HealthLine to E. 14th Street station or use the C-Line or E-Line Trolley, both of which serve Playhouse Square.

August 15–18: The Feast in Little Italy

Enjoy one of Cleveland’s favorite events of the summer. The Feast of the Assumption brings food, fun, and family together all in one place— the heart of Little Italy.

Festival-goers can wander streets lined with local vendors and all kinds of entertainment, including performances by singers and dancers. And don’t forget to watch the bocce tournament!

To accommodate the days’ events, Mayfield Road will be closed. But don’t let that stop you, ride the Rapid and experience the Feast. The Little Italy-University Circle stop on the Red Line will take you right to the action, without having to navigate any narrow streets or worry about parking.

Take RTA to Browns Games

It’s about that time of the year again. The Browns pre-season kick off is Thursday, August 9, with the first home game Friday, August 17 against the Buffalo Bills. Kick off will be at 7:30 p.m., and it will be a great chance to see the new squad. The last pre-season game in August will be the 23 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

For all transportation needs, save your gas grab a pass and ride RTA. Take any Rapid line to Tower City, and transfer to the Waterfront Line. With the W. 3rd Street Station across from First Energy Stadium, you won’t miss a thing. Extra rail service will be provided on game days.

August 31: Bike to Work Day

To celebrate Bike to Work Day, anyone can ride RTA buses and trains with their bicycles for free. Thanks to RTA’s Rack-N-Roll program, a three-unit bike rack is mounted on the front of every bus. There’s also a designated space for bicycles inside Rapid cars and on HealthLine vehicles, with bike racks at many stations. Don’t forget your helmet!

August 18–19: Flats Festival of the Arts

Join fellow patrons of the arts at the East Bank for the Flats Festival of the Arts. It’ll take place on Saturday, August 18, from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday, August 19, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. This free event will showcase the talents of hundreds of artists from around the country and will feature all kinds of media, including ceramics, woodwork, photography, and painting.

The Festival will also feature some of the region’s most talented musicians and dancers. There will be a wide selection of food and beverages available, including the Flats establishments you already
know and love.

The Flats East Bank is served by the C-Line Trolley. The service operates 7–11 p.m. Monday–Friday, and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with trolleys running every 10 minutes. It’s free with a smile !

Enjoy InCuya Music Festival

Gather with other music fans to celebrate the inaugural InCuya Music Festival. The two-day event spans August 25–26 and is studded with your favorite stars from many different genres. Headliners include SZA, The Avett Brothers, Awolnation, and New Order.

InCuya’s stages will be set up on Malls A and B (300 St. Clair Avenue) downtown. Performances are outside and will take place rain or shine. Doors open at 11 a.m., and acts are scheduled throughout both days and nights. For a full line-up, visit InCuya.com.

If ticket sales are any indication, this will be a very crowded (but very fun) event, so of course, parking will be limited. Luckily, The Malls are a short walk from RTA’s Tower City station, so ride any Rapid line for easy, inexpensive transportation. Have a good time, and stay safe!

Sign Up Now for Emergency Alerts

Sign up now to receive emergency alerts and other important safety information through the mass notification system ReadyNotify, which is free to residents of Cuyahoga County.

It provides alerts and updates in real-time and includes information about other time-sensitive events including county government news, building closures, water boil alerts, and safety messages.

Registered users can receive information via landline telephones, cell phones, text messages, and e-mail.

Registering with ReadyNotify will not interfere with your ability to receive alerts or other information from any of the other city-operated systems; it simply provides county-level information and is intended to supplement city-operated mass notification systems.

For information on preparing for disasters, call 216-443-5700.