Aug 5, 2015
CLEVELAND – The Cleveland State Line posted record-breaking ridership, up nearly 20 percent during the first six months of operation.
Officials of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) says June ridership was up 28 percent compared to a year ago, and up 23 percent for the second quarter of 2015.
Quotes from Joe Calabrese
“We are thrilled about the success of this service,” says RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese. “Not only is RTA connecting the dots, but we are doing it in a way that is ever more convenient, safe and comfortable for our customers.”
“The Cleveland State Line is providing students and all customers a faster and more reliable ride,” Calabrese says. “With dedicated bus lanes, more frequent service and larger capacity vehicles, our customers are enjoying increased travel speeds. We have doubled the line’s ridership capacity.”
“The result is that more and more people are choosing the convenience of RTA. Our double-digit ridership growth is a welcomed trend.”
The dedicated bus lanes move traffic easily along Clifton Boulevard during rush hour, and the beautiful, brick bus stations make for a more comfortable commute, no matter the weather, Calabrese says.
“RTA offers a safe, quiet, first-class commute to Downtown that is faster and more convenient than ever,” he says.
The Cleveland State Line replaced RTA’s popular 55 family of routes in December. Service is between West Shore communities and Downtown via Clifton Boulevard and the Shoreway. The line terminates at Cleveland State University.
New service good for Lakewood, CSU
“The Cleveland State Line is enhancing the convenience of living in Lakewood for an increasing number of our residents,” says Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers. “Increasingly, Lakewood is attracting residents who desire a less automobile-dependent lifestyle. Safe, reliable, convenient mass transit is a critical part of making that happen. Lakewood residents know they have found in RTA the best service any city can offer.”
“The Cleveland State community greatly values the convenience and connectivity the new bus line provides between our downtown campus and the west side, as well as the increased exposure,” says CSU President Ronald M. Berkman.
Background
The improved service of Cleveland State Line is part of a $20 million Clifton Boulevard Transportation Enhancement Project that incorporates many of the convenience features of RTA’s first bus rapid transit service, the HealthLine. These features included consolidated bus stops, new stations, a dedicated transit lane for both buses and bikes, traffic signal optimization, enhanced streetscapes and median landscaping.
Cleveland State University secured the naming rights for the updated line last fall. CSU sponsors a total vehicle graphic package on 16 custom-designed buses used on all trips. The CSU logo is woven in the fabric for the approximate 950 seatbacks on all vehicles. CSU identification is prominently displayed at the 32 new bus stations or stops on Clifton Boulevard. CSU branding is featured at 243 stops and shelters along the entire route.
Since 2008, RTA has initiated several other public-private partnerships with area businesses and other organizations to sponsor new or enhanced services, including the HealthLine and the free Downtown Trolleys.
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