All RTA services remain available during the Republican National Convention

May 4, 2016

CLEVELAND – During the Republican National Convention July 18-21, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's (RTA) goal is to do what they do every day: Provide safe, reliable, clean and courteous public transportation for anyone who needs to get home, work, medical appointments or to many other destinations.

Current level of service

RTA will operate its current level of service on buses, Paratransit vehicles and trains. Staff will be prepared to increase that level on traditional rail and commuter routes to serve individuals who may not be regular RTA customers, but who may want to be during the Convention week.

RTA realizes that there will be some road closures and possible elimination of some parking complexes for the week. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of RTA's 6,000 free parking spaces at rail stations and use the Rapid to get to the Tower City Station in Downtown Cleveland, or to get across town.

Once Downtown, RTA's free trolleys will help link customers from Public Square to all Downtown venues. The HealthLine operates 24-7 from Public Square to all Euclid Avenue locations.

For added convenience, RTA will sell a $20 special Convention weekly pass for unlimited rides from July 17-23.

Allow extra travel time

Although RTA buses will not be used by Convention delegates to get Downtown, increased traffic on the roads and highways could cause delays on regular bus routes and on Paratransit services. RTA recommends that commuters allow extra travel time.

No RTA buses or Paratransit vehicles will be able to go into the established security zone surrounding Convention venues in Downtown Cleveland. The exact perimeter of the security zones is unknown at this time.

If bus service needs to be rerouted, RTA will notify the media and communicate the information on our website, on social media and throughout RTA's regular channels.

RTA recommends that customers sign up for Commuter Alterts to receive up-to-the-minute information about any changes in the Rapid Transit schedule.