- GM Message: RTA's Mission Statement is all about YOU
- Spring service change: Get new RTA timetables by Sunday, March 1
- Public Square construction work to begin in early March
- Feb. 20-March 1: Ride free trolleys, eat at a discount
- Ride RTA to find the roots of music for Black History Month
- RTA ridership up in 2014
- February events at Quicken Loans Arena
- Emergency procedures on RTA light-rail trains
- Feb. 21: Ride RTA to Brite Winter Festival in Ohio City
GM Message: RTA's Mission Statement is all about YOU
We’ve got good news for you.
RTA staff spent several months in 2014 looking at what we do, and searching for ways we can do it better.
It all starts with having a strong basic Mission Statement. We developed such a statement, and guess what? It’s all about YOU – our valued customer.
At first glance, the Mission Statement appears simple – To provide safe, reliable, clean and courteous public transportation.
To achieve that Mission means that every employee – from the General Manager to the janitor – has an important job to do.
Safe: We will do everything in our power to make sure YOU arrive to your destination safely, and every employee finishes their shift without incident. Even one accident is one accident too many.
Reliable: We will follow through on every promise, whether it be service delivery, or completing a construction project. Our word is our bond.
Clean: Our vehicles and facilities will be clean and attractive – a source of community pride. Here’s where we need your help. If YOU pick up your own litter, we won’t have to pay someone with tax dollars, and we’ll have more money to spend providing service.
Courteous: YOU have the right to be treated with respect by every RTA employee. In turn, we ask you to treat every employee with that same respect. We are here to help you, and we appreciate your on-going support.
In future issues, we will talk about RTA’s Values and Vision. Thanks for riding with us. Together, we can help RTA grow stronger – one ride at a time.
Spring service change: Get new RTA timetables by Sunday, March 1
Riders need to pick up new timetables for these routes:
- HealthLine, Cleveland State Line, E-Line trolley, 1, 2, 3, 9, 16, 22, 25, 30, 39, 39F, 38, 41-41F, 45-45A, 54, 68, 76, 77F, 79A-B, 83, 135, 239, 246, 251/451, 263.
Two routes deserve special mention.
- 9-Mayfield: All trips will start and end at the Cedar-University Station. Westbound trips travel via Adelbert Road and Murray Hill Road to the Cedar-University Station.
- 251/451-Strongsville Park-n-Ride: Trips to and from Brunswick will be labeled “251”. This is a change in name only, and will improve the availability of information for customers.
Where to obtain new timetables
- As soon as they are available, new timetables will be posted.
- RTA’s trip planner is Google Transit. Data will be updated before the changes take effect.
- Come to RTA's Main Office, 1240 W. Sixth St.
- Visit RTA's Customer Service Center at the Tower City Station, 50 Public Square.
- To order a timetable by mail, call the RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500.
Real-time information will be available, as soon as it is effective.
Public Square construction work to begin in early March
Construction work on a new and improved Public Square is set to start in early March, and last until May 2016. Superior Avenue and Ontario Street through the Square will be closed during the work.
All traffic -- including RTA buses -- will use the perimeter streets. The project affects 33 of RTA’s 61 bus routes.
RTA's plan to relocate shelters and bus stops is intended to make things as easy as possible for transit customers.
RTA's service plan is posted on-line, and customer information sessions will be announced.
For project background, go to:
- RTA's major projects Web page
- The Group Plan Commission site
Feb. 20-March 1: Ride free trolleys, eat at a discount
RTA’s free trolleys are the best way to reach your favorite eatery during the 8th annual Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week, Feb. 20-March 1.
The event, sponsored by the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, features nearly 40 restaurants ready to serve you world-class food at working-class prices. Participating restaurants offer a 3-course dinner menu for $30, and $15 luncheon specials.
RTA’s heated trolleys serve the Warehouse District, Public Square, East Fourth Street, Playhouse Square and Cleveland State University and Euclid Avenue, with a 10-minute frequency, until 11 p.m., seven days a week.
Ride RTA to find the roots of music for Black History Month
February is Black History Month, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is celebrating. The Rock Hall is open from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily, and until 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
To ride there on RTA:
- On weekends, ride any Rapid line to the Tower City Station, walk up to Public Square, and board an L-Line trolley in front of the Horseshoe Casino. The trolley stops in front of the Rock Hall from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
- Seven days a week, ride any Rapid line to the Tower City Station, and transfer to the Waterfront Line. Exit at the North Coast Harbor Station, and walk to the Rock Hall. Trains operate during all Rock Hall hours.
- Seven days a week, ride the HealthLine to the Tower City Station, and then transfer to the Waterfront Line. Exit at the North Coast Harbor Station, and walk to the Rock Hall. Trains operate during all Rock Hall hours.
RTA ridership up in 2014
RTA overcame horrible winter conditions in the first quarter to finish 2014 with its fourth straight year of increasing ridership.
Ridership rose 8 percent in December, the largest monthly increase in four years, and trolley ridership was up 20 percent. This allowed 2014 to show a total ridership gain over 2013. Ridership rose from 49.23 million in 2013 to 49.27 million in 2014.
Construction interruptions kept the rail ridership low much of the summer, as worked continued on the Little Italy-University Circle Station, and the Cedar-University Station.
Bus and HealthLine ridership stayed strong. Bus ridership increased about one percent, and HealthLine ridership rose 5 percent.
February events at Quicken Loans Arena
RTA is your best seat for every event at Quicken Loans Arena. This month, those events include
- 9 Lake Erie Monsters ice hockey games
- 5 Cavaliers basketball games
- A truck show called Monster Jam, and a Fleetwood Mac concert.
To get to Quicken Loans Arena:
- Park for free at any Rapid Station, buy a $5 All-Day Pass, and ride the Red, Blue or Green Rapid train to the Tower City Station.
- From there, you can stroll down the Walkway, right into your seat. The Walkway opens two hours before every event, and you never have to go outside.
- OR, you can board the HealthLine at any westbound station along Euclid Avenue, exit at on Public Square at Tower City, and head for the Walkway.
- The Walkway remains open for 90 minutes after an event ends.
Emergency procedures on RTA light-rail trains
Riders on the Blue, Green and Waterfront lines should take time to read these emergency evacuation procedures. They are posted inside every rail car.
- Listen for instructions from the operator, and follow them.
- Exit the train in an orderly manner.
- Help those in need, such as children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
- Leave large packages behind.
- Exit instructions, written in red, are located on a panel above each door.
To open the side doors:
- To release the closed doors, push the red knob over the door.
- To open the doors, place one hand on each of the red circles on the doors, and push.
After the doors are open:
- On bridges and other elevated structures, open only the doors that face the tracks.
- If there are downed wires, remain in the train.
If you step out and are not at a station platform:
- Be aware of trains operating on nearby tracks, and stay clear of them.
Feb. 21: Ride RTA to Brite Winter Festival in Ohio City
RTA provides the easiest transportation to the sixth annual Brite Winter Festival, an outdoor winter celebration of art and music, from 4-11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21. Most activities will be near Market Square Park, at West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue.
In 2014, attendees saw more than 90 visual and performing artists, with more than 20,000 visitors braving 10-degree weather. This non-traditional event is being billed as “Cleveland’s Premier Winter Art & Music Festival.”
Last year’s festival featured 10 stages, with bonfires to keep you warm. This year, there are 60+ bands at 10 locations. Admission is free. Art installations will be present at many sites.
Last year, RTA saw a 32 percent higher ridership on festival day than at any other day in February. That’s because RTA is the easiest way to reach the festival site. Ride the Red Line to the West 25th Street Rapid Station and walk a block. Or, hop on one of seven bus routes serving Ohio City -- 20, 21, 22, 35, 51, 79, 81.
Some Ohio City merchants will provide related activities indoors until 1 a.m.