Feb. 6: Committee Meetings, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Covered by Documenters Lori Ingram (notes) and Jabril Shabazz (notes)
#OhioLovesTransit
This week is Ohio Loves Transit Week, highlighted by Ohio Loves Transit Day on Tuesday, Feb. 13. RTA is conducting a photo contest on social media where riders can post photos to showcase their experiences riding public transit.
Entries must include the hashtags #GCRTA and #OLT – which stands for “Ohio Loves Transit” – to be eligible. The winning photo can expect an RTA “prize pack,” according to the website.
Babies on board
RTA and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health have worked together to make public transit more accessible for families who are pregnant or caring for babies under the age of 1. The Baby on Board program started in 2021. RTA received $500,000 to address social determinants of health by providing free transit passes to eligible families.
During last week’s presentation, speakers noted their concern over higher infant mortality rates in Black and brown communities than in white communities.
Officials are looking at changing eligibility requirements for the program to include families caring for children older than one.
So far, more than 2,230 one-week bus/train passes have been distributed, according to Michele Benko, a board of health representative.
Speaking of access
Demand for paratransit – a public transit service for people with disabilities – has increased, according to an update from RTA’s Nick Davidson.
RTA introduced 20 new paratransit vehicles in 2023 to help meet demand. RTA also plans to hire more drivers and is considering a user-friendly scheduling app for riders.
The demand for paratransit services will continue to grow over the next 10 years because of the county’s growing senior population, Davidson said. People age 65 and older made up 67% of RTA’s paratransit ridership last year.
Read the notes from Documenter Jabril Shabazz:
Read the notes from Documenter Lori Ingram:
