Consistency defines Cleveland Indians Manager Eric Wedge. This is why his game plan in April is the same as in October, allowing his players to perform to a rhythm as steady as John Adams' drum beat. In 2007, Wedge relied on his even-keel personality to overcome pitching changes and mid-season batting slumps, leading his team to 96 regular season victories and an American League Central Division title. The solid numbers posted by the team earned Eric Wedge his own title as American League Manager of the Year.

With an on-time rating that is among the best in the industry, RTA knows a thing or two about consistency as well. This focus caused more commuters to be fans of the transit system, with steady ridership gains. And it's one of the reasons why RTA was named Best Public Transportation System in North America from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

In 2007, Cleveland's transit system lived up to its championship title. It continued to make changes for improving the rider experience - updating its fleet, improving on-time performance, reducing operating costs to minimize fare increases, and offering downtowners a free service on the Trolley. RTA also rolled out a multi-media advertising campaign - complete with a made-up holiday - to spread the good word.

The campaign's messaging appeared when and where people were thinking about (and hating) driving - like a turn on I-90 so treacherous it's called Dead Man's Curve. Or behind one of RTA's own busses. Or driving to work listening to radio that your car doesn't want you to hear. Then on June 22, RTA kicked off Join the Ride Day with a rally featuring Mayor Frank Jackson. As a result, the entire campaign caused a spike in ridership to 100,000 over the prior year.

In fact, RTA's ridership has been growing for five consecutive years. The numbers climbed from 52 million to more than 57 million riders by the end of 2007. A significant contributor to those numbers was rail service, which grew nearly 9 percent - thanks in part to Cleveland's die-hard sports fans. Masses of blue and red clad enthusiasts traveling to and from home games (especially Indians Playoff games) results in a mess of traffic, so RTA offered extra rail service before and after all home games. In addition, service was guaranteed up to 90 minutes after the game's conclusion - even for Game 2 that went into 11 innings.

The numbers are important, but not as important as what's behind those numbers. Every new number is another person who has realized the savings, the value of traveling with RTA. Every new number is another person helped. That's why RTA celebrates its numbers and its number one spot in all of North America.

The Cleveland Metroparks are the best busy-city getaway with 16 reservations offering hiking and biking trails, beaches, sledding hills and more. It's no surprise the Metroparks received the 2007 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management from The American Academy for Park Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association. This is the third time for the park system in 15 years (winners can't be considered again for five years).

RTA also provides its own form of escape. With its network of conveniently located Park-N-Rides in Euclid, North Olmsted, Strongsville and Westlake, as well as 12 Community Circulators, 52 rail stations, and 8,500 parking spaces around the Cleveland area, the transit system is a sanctuary from high gas prices and the hassles of driving.

Green thinking is another thing RTA has in common with the Metroparks. Over the past five years, its entire bus fleet has been transformed to be environmentally-friendly through the purchase of natural gas and clean diesel vehicles. In addition, RTA was the first transit authority in the Midwest to switch to ultra low sulfur diesel, and to install after-treatment filters for removing more than 90 percent of all particulate matter from the exhaust. The bus fleet is also bike-rack equipped. And in 2007, 50,000 cyclists took their bikes on RTA buses and trains.

RTA's efforts to clean the air in Northeast Ohio resulted in measurable success. The EPA found that the region's Ground-Level Ozone Emissions had dropped significantly. In 2003, emissions measured 103 parts per billion (PPB). But by 2007, they dropped to 89 PPB. The reduced count directly correlates with RTA's clean-air fleet transition. The infusion of 45 new clean-air buses in 2007, along with the expected benefits of hybrid vehicles on the Euclid Corridor line, should continue to reduce emissions toward the EPA standard of 80 PPB.

Facility improvements by RTA last year helped to green-up the Cleveland area landscape. Most noteworthy is the re-opening of the newest Red Line Rapid station-Highland Park at West 117th Street. This $4.7 million project extended the network of new rider facilities, and features a heated waiting area, energy-efficient LED lighting, and canopies to shield riders from the elements between the station and parking lot. The long-awaited expansion of the North Olmsted Park-N-Ride was also completed, and because of the Inner Belt Project, much of the cost of this expansion was covered by the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Like the Metroparks, RTA is cultivating its infrastructure. And as more and more Clevelanders Join the Ride, bus stops and train stations are becoming the meeting places for eco-minded commuters concerned about the health of our planet.

Since 1995, the search for the nation's best heart care has led people to the Cleveland Clinic's Heart and Vascular Institute. How do they hold the title as Number #1 for cardiac care for 13 consecutive years? Through a commitment to innovation, better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients. Attending to more than 234,000 patients each year, the Heart and Vascular Institute will soon have a new home in the impressive one million square foot Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Pavilion now under construction on Euclid Avenue.

It's fitting that the new Heart Institute is located along Euclid Avenue, since Euclid is the main "artery" RTA is using to pump life into Cleveland. The Euclid Corridor project, which will transport riders from Public Square to East Cleveland in just 28 minutes, made great progress in 2007 and is on track to open October 25th, 2008.

Despite unexpected delays due to structural repairs from Public Square to East 9th Street, RTA surged ahead with road construction in 2007. By the end of the year all quadrants of Public Square and both the north and south lanes from East 17th Street to East 86th Street were completed and opened to traffic.

In June, the E. 40th stop, located in the corridor's median, received the honor of being the first station installation. The stainless steel and glass structure served as a symbol of good things to come for the corridor. And come they did. As the year went on, stations were installed all along the route - both median and curbside - complimented by attractive streetscapes with integrated artwork.

With road construction complete and stations in place, the section from East 17th Street to East 55th Street became fully operational on Nov 26th. Passengers of the current #6 bus route can now familiarize themselves with boarding from the new station platforms, and Euclid Avenue drivers are becoming accustomed to the new traffic flow.

2007 also saw significant milestones for the project's state-of-the-art hybrid vehicle. The year kicked off with the 63-foot long Rapid Transit Vehicle (RTV) successfully completing the FTA testing for safety and performance. By year's end, the RTV headed into full production with 20 vehicles scheduled to be completed by early 2008.

In addition to these infrastructure achievements, the Euclid Corridor is providing Cleveland with a massive transfusion of economic growth. Currently more than $4 billion in capital investment are being pumped into the rehabilitation of buildings and new construction along the avenue. It's also bringing in new business, including more than 30 new tech firms, that now call Euclid Avenue home. So while the pursuit for the best heart care may lead you to the Clinic, RTA aims to lead all of Cleveland down a path - make that "corridor" - of growth and prosperity.

RTA completed 2007 in a solid financial position despite continuing challenges caused by rising energy costs and falling revenue sources. This was accomplished through the combination of a stronger beginning balance and a tight control of expenditures, producing an ending balance that was $10.3 million higher than budget.

Sales Tax Revenue was $1.2 million below projection. The weak performance continues a seven-year trend caused by slow economic growth in the region. Unfortunately, this trend is projected to continue in the near term.

Operating Revenues exceeded the budget in some categories while falling short in others. In total, revenue increased 2.7 percent, to $6.8 million. In spite of that, however, revenue fell short of budgeted estimates by more than $3.5 million by year end. Passenger Fares increased by 7.1 percent, but was under budget by about $2.1 million. Similarly, Sales Tax increased by 1.8 percent, but fell short of budget by $1.2 million. These two sources of revenue provide about 85 percent of the Authority's funds.

Operating Expenses, led by surging fuel costs, continued to cloud the financial picture last year. However, early proactive action taken by RTA to control operating costs helped to offset spikes in diesel fuel. Healthcare costs, labor costs, natural gas and utilities all were under budget, and improved the year-end balance to $14.0 million. This careful monitoring of expenditures allowed for a positive ending balance.

Capital Expenditures remained relatively close to budgeted levels, as progress was made on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). However, some significant positive variances are noted as a number of projects have been delayed or completed under budget.

Financial Indicators confirmed RTA's overall fiscal health. All eight indicators moved in the direction of established policy goals, and four of the eight met budget goals. Cost per Hour of Service ended below the inflation rate with a 1.9 percent increase. The improved ending balance allowed Debt Service Coverage to reach 1.8. This not only exceeded the budgeted level, but also met the Board policy. Sales Tax contributed 13 percent towards the Capital Plan, thus meeting the goal of a 10 - 15 percent contribution. At 12.1 percent, Overhead Cost to Total Cost was below the goal of 15 percent. A stronger ending balance also put RTA's Operating Reserve at 0.7 months, significantly better than the budgeted level of 0.2 month, though still not enough to meet the Board goal. Furthermore, with the additional revenue from the fare increase, improvements were noted in the Operating Ratio and Fare Subsidy, though neither policy goals were met.

It is important to note that the financial scenarioat the end of the year demonstrates continued improvement in controllable areas. Departments throughout the Authority worked in concert to produce positive outcomes. An action plan was developed early in the year to identify the economic issues and address any threats to the financial well being of the Authority. The staff of the Office of Management & Budget worked with all in the Authority to closely monitor expenditures and revenues throughout the year. The end result was a $10.3 million improvement over the budgeted amount in the year-end balance.