Cleveland Heights Losing Some Bus Stops

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is removing some bus stops on Monticello Boulevard, near the Cleveland Heights Community Center. But RTA authorities said the changes will actually benefit the community.

Some low-use bus stops on the Monticello route, between Taylor Road and the Community Center, will be removed June 13. On that day, however, changes will also be made to surrounding bus routes to better accommodate travelers, said Joel Freilich, service management director for RTA.

While some Cleveland Heights residents have expressed concern about the loss of bus stops, Freilich said the changes will ultimately benefit Cleveland Heights.

So how will Cleveland Heights benefit from the proposed changes?

"There are Monticello residents east of Taylor," Freilich noted. "They’re going to get improved rush hour frequency on the 7th bus line. They’re going to get improved mid-day frequency. The 7th will extend east of Richmond to Hillcrest during the weekday."

• Travelers who use the No. 41 bus line, which services Noble and Warrensville, will get double their current service during daytime on Sundays.
• Route 40 will increase bus frequency along Lee Road.
• The No. 9 route on Mayfield will get improved midday frequency on weekdays and double daytime frequency on the weekends. That route will also make stops near the Stokes VA and Cleveland State University and Public Square.
• Route. No. 32, which is becoming route No. 11, along Cedar Road, will get improved midday frequency on weekdays, double daytime frequency on weekends and will add additional destinations, including Tri-C's Metro Campus, Cleveland State University, and Public Square.

Many of the changes were added in consultation with the Cleveland Heights Transportation Advisory Committee, Freilich said.

During a two-year evaluation process, RTA officials gathered community feedback on how to improve service across the region. Riders wanted more service to high-traffic areas, service to areas outside of downtown Cleveland, and were willing to sacrifice routes with low traffic, Freilich said.

"This is where the community has asked us to get us more service on our principal routes. Community also said, if you can, take us more places before you ask us to transfer to another vehicle," Freilich said.