Jan 28, 2016
CLEVELAND -- This statement was released today by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
Statement
In February 2015, as a result of a routine audit, RTA identified some issues regarding the dispatching and use of Paratransit services. RTA immediately launched an investigation, and we referred the matter to the County Prosecutor in March.
“We also took immediate action to stop the improper use of Paratransit services, and to identify those involved and to put measures in place to best assure that this never happens again,” said RTA Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Joe Calabrese.
“We have been cooperating throughout in the investigation, and we were careful not to take any actions that could have jeopardized the process or the outcome.”
Today, three individuals were indicted.
Other employees found to have engaged in any irregularities will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.
RTA Paratransit Service
Located at 4601 Euclid Ave., Paratransit has an annual budget of approximately $22 million.
Paratransit services are provided to individuals who have been certified by RTA as ADA-eligible due to a physical or cognitive disability that prevents them from using RTA’s regular buses and trains.
Certified customers arrange for pickup and drop-off transportation from one to seven days in advance by phone or by way of our on-line scheduling software.
In 2015, Paratransit served more than 750,000 customers.
Media Contact:
Linda Scardilli Krecic
216-566-5211
216-390-9605, cell