RTA schedules public hearings on proposed bus service reductions

By Rich Exner, cleveland.comAdvance Local Express DeskCLEVELAND, Ohio - The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will hold public hearings next week on proposed service reductions that would eliminate one bus route and reduce frequency on eight others, starting in December.Sessions will be held at RTA’s main office at 1240 W. Sixth St. in Cleveland on Monday, Aug. 10, from 8:30 to 10 a.m.; Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.; and Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.The livestreamed hearings will be available for replay throughout the comment period, which closes at 7 p.m. Aug. 24.Members of the public do not have to attend meetings to submit comments.Comments can be made by submitting a form posted at this website, by calling 216-621-9500 or by mail to GCRTA Public Hearing Comment, 1240 W. Sixth St., Cleveland, OH 44113.RTA plans to eliminate its No. 35 bus route along Lee Boulevard and East 123rd Street. The agency said it averages five boardings per one-way trip between St. Clair Avenue near East 129th Street and Severance Town Center.The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is proposing elimination of the No. 35 bus route in December.RTAEight other routes would see reduced frequency under the plan set to take effect Dec. 6.On weekdays, the No. 1 St. Clair, No. 15 Union-Harvard and No. 41 Warrensville routes would go from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes. The No. 50 East 116th Street and No. 77 Brecksville rush hour routes would be reduced from every 30 minutes to once an hour.Weekend service would be cut from every 30 minutes to every 60 minutes on the No. 25 Madison-Clark west of West 117th, branches of the No. 28/28A Euclid lines, and the No. 83 Warren-West 130th lines.The changes come as RTA continues to deal with budget shortfalls. The agency plans to seek voter approval in May for a sales tax increase that could restore services and expand routes.Greater Cleveland RTA plans to cut yet another bus route; trim back service on othersEach RTA ride costs Cuyahoga shoppers double what it did a decade ago. The agency now wants more moneyCuyahoga County voters will face tax hikes on the November and May ballots. Just vote ‘no.’RTA to seek sales tax increase from Cuyahoga County voters in MayAn RTA sales tax increase will benefit all of us, even nonriders, by preserving an important Cleveland assetrexner@cleveland.com - Reporter primarily covering the regional development and transportation beats for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Past jobs at cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer include data analysis...