Aug 5, 2020
For Immediate Release
RTA WELCOMES RIDERS BACK TO PARK-N-RIDE
Facemasks to be distributed to riders boarding popular bus service
WHAT: RTA staff will welcome riders back to the Park-N-Rides with customer appreciation giveaways, including washable and reusable facemasks, care instructions and information on using the RTA CLE mobile ticketing app.
WHEN: Monday, August 10, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Westlake Park-N-Ride
24800 Sperry Dr.
Westlake, Ohio 44145
North Olmsted Park-N-Ride
5575 Great Northern Blvd. at I-480
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Strongsville Park-N-Ride
on Pearl Road, at the entrance of the Ohio Turnpike
HOW / WHY: RTA is restoring Park-N-Ride service, as well as increasing service on a number of routes, to meet the anticipated increased demand in the fall.
Park-N-Ride service on all three routes will be restored Monday through Friday at a 30-minute frequency beginning Monday, August 10. Park-N-Ride service was suspended March 24 due to COVID-19, when the majority of Downtown office workers began working remotely. The original Park-N-Ride service frequency was approximately every 15 to 30 minutes.
“We know that our Park-N-Ride customers will welcome the news that this service will be back up and running. We believe the 30-minute frequency will be sufficient to accommodate commuters who will be returning to their Downtown work locations this fall,” said RTA’s Chief Operating Officer, Floun’say Caver, Ph.D.
In addition, RTA customers will also be able to enjoy the newest Park-N-Ride vehicles that were put into service in February of 2020. Some riders will have a chance to enjoy the new vehicles for the first time, Caver said.
OTHER SERVICE CHANGES:
A modified B-Line Trolley route will operate every 15 minutes on an alignment that serves Public Square in both directions. The new alignment also serves E-Line stops in the Warehouse District.
Light rail service will return to normal on the Blue and Green Line on August 9, following a rail construction project that began on June 28. Light rail service will operate at its usual 10-15 minute frequency, depending on time of day.
“Our goal in August is to ensure that enough capacity is available for fall 2020 ridership,” said Caver.
RTA will monitor ridership throughout the fall and will make necessary modifications as circumstances change.
“System wide, bus and rail combined weekly vehicle hours of service will be increased to 93% of pre-COVID levels,” Caver said. “We will remain agile regarding service levels during this uncertain time,” he said.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Staff welcoming and providing masks to customers boarding Park-N-Ride vehicles.
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