Apr 27, 2016
CLEVELAND -- The 2016 budget, approved by the Board of Trustees of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), necessitates a 2.5 percent ($7 million) adjustment through service modifications, fare increases or a combination of the two.
Since February, RTA has held 15 public meetings, with more than 900 persons attending and 515 persons offering public comment, either in person, by phone or by mail.
RTA staff listened to those comments, and presented a modified proposal to the Board of Trustees on April 26. As a result of that discussion, it was decided to further investigate the utilization of, and costs associated with, the Waterfront Line.
The Waterfront Line currently operates every 15 minutes from approximately 6:45 a.m.-midnight on weekdays, and from 9 a.m.-midnight on weekends. The original proposal discussed at the public meeting was to reduce weekday service to end at approximately 7 p.m.
RTA increased service levels on the Waterfront Line to support the opening of the Flats East Bank development. Although ridership has grown, it is less than what was anticipated and may not support the current investment.
As a result, RTA has scheduled another public hearing to seek comment on one or more proposals to reduce the span of service (service hours) on the Waterfront Line. This reduction may affect weekday and/or weekend service.
Because of this public hearing, no final decision on fares or service levels is expected by the Board until June 7, 2016.
The hearing will be held from noon-2 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2016, in the George F. Dixon III Board Room at the RTA Main Office, 1240 W. Sixth St.
The site is served by the free B-Line and E-Line trolleys, and is accessible. Interpretive services for the hearing-impaired will be available.
If you cannot attend the public hearing, you can send your comments to:
Marketing Department, RTA, 1240 W. Sixth St., Cleveland, OH 44113
Comments must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016.
Media contact:
216-566-5211
216-390-9605, cell