At a recent gathering of Cleveland Documenters, Signal Cleveland and Documenters’ staff asked participants for questions they had about the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. How to ride, where to find information and what the future holds for RTA topped the list of things Documenters wanted to know about our public transit system.
Then we went in search of answers.
Does RTA have a consumer committee?
RTA has two consumer committees. The Community Advisory Committee has two primary goals: educating the community and advocating for RTA’s services, and advising RTA on services for people with disabilities and ADA compliance.
The Civilian Oversight Committee reviews complaints made against RTA police officers by members of the public and can make disciplinary, policy, and training recommendations. At a press event last week, RTA Chief of Police Deirdre Jones referred to the Civilian Oversight Committee as “progressive policing.”
In addition to its goal of building public trust and transparency, Jones said the committee “gives those people who may have a complaint, or may just even have questions, an opportunity to be heard.”
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Has RTA hired any more transit ambassadors? Where are they deployed?
RTA’s Transit Ambassador program launched on the Healthline in 2022. Transit Ambassadors’ coverage has now expanded to include the Red, Green and Blue rail lines. The program started with six Transit Ambassadors, is now up to 10 and is budgeted for 16.
In addition to acting as “eyes and ears for transit police,” Jones said, “they’re there not just to deter crime, but if they see something going on, they have our radios, our police radios, so they can radio in right away if police are needed.”
Are there upcoming holiday promotions?
Every year, RTA decks the halls of one of its railcars in full holiday attire and sends it out to escort riders around town in a bright, wintery wonderland. The Holiday Trains are scheduled each day, so check RTA’s social media accounts to see when they’re running.
RTA’s Community Bus will make appearances all over the city this year, including the holidays, as RTA kicks off celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Which trains and buses, if any, run 24 hours?
RTA’s most-utilized routes run a full 24-hour schedule, though less frequently overnight. Buses that run every 15 minutes during the day, such as the #14 or the Healthline, run once every half hour overnight. Buses that normally run once every half hour, such as the #25, run once an hour overnight. All rail lines have limited overnight service between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.
Does RTA put out an annual report? Is it available in booklet form?
RTA releases several types of reports, including an annual report that covers all aspects of the agency. A separate Annual Comprehensive Financial Report shows current financial statements of revenue, expenses, net position and cash flow, plus statistical data that looks back over the last 10 years.
Every three months, RTA produces a Quarterly Management Report that goes to the Board of Trustees to assist them with oversight. RTA’s annual budget is also released publicly, first as a proposal. The final document is uploaded once it’s been voted on and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Though the reports are not available in a hard copy or booklet, most of the online documents are in a PDF format and can be printed out.
Are flyers available detailing how to ride and explaining what RTA is?
Some paper flyers are still made available by RTA. You can find them at the customer service centers at Tower City and RTA’s main offices on West 6th Street. All RTA bus and rail routes with timetables are available in pamphlet form, including system maps in both English and Spanish. Route pamphlets can also be found on buses and in train stations.
All information about RTA can be found on its website. Representatives at the customer service centers and on RTA’s Community Connection Line, 216-621-9500, can also answer your questions about how to ride or about RTA in general.
