Cleveland State Line ridership increases

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) said Wednesday that the Cleveland State Line is seeing record-breaking ridership, which has increased approximately 20 percent in the first six months of being in business.

Officials with the RTA said that June 2015 ridership has increased 28 percent compared to June 2014. This amounts to a 23 percent increase compared to the second quarter of 2015.

“We are thrilled about the success of this service,” RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese, said. “Not only is RTA connecting the dots, but we are doing it in a way that is ever more convenient, safe and comfortable for our customers.”

“The Cleveland State Line is providing students and all customers a faster and more reliable ride,” Calabrese said. “With dedicated bus lanes, more frequent service and larger capacity vehicles, our customers are enjoying increased travel speeds. We have doubled the line’s ridership capacity.”

“The result is that more and more people are choosing the convenience of RTA. Our double-digit ridership growth is a welcomed trend,” Calabrese said. “RTA offers a safe, quiet, first-class commute to downtown that is faster and more convenient than ever.”

The Cleveland State Line features consolidated bus stops, new stations, a dedicated transit lane for buses and bikes and traffic signal optimization.

“The Cleveland State Line is enhancing the convenience of living in Lakewood for an increasing number of our residents,” Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers said. “Increasingly, Lakewood is attracting residents who desire a less automobile-dependent lifestyle. Safe, reliable, convenient mass transit is a critical part of making that happen. Lakewood residents know they have found in RTA the best service any city can offer.”

Cleveland State Line service runs from West Shore communities and Downtown, terminating at Cleveland State University (CSU).

“The Cleveland State community greatly values the convenience and connectivity the new bus line provides between our downtown campus and the west side, as well as the increased exposure,” CSU President Ronald Berkman said.