Funding Shortfalls Result in Service Cuts for Cleveland's Regional Transit Authority

A $20 million hole in the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's (RTA) budget means 15 bus lines around the city will run less frequently. More cuts are soon to come.

1 minute read

January 17, 2018, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

Tupungato / Shutterstock

"After losing $20.2 million per year from a source of sales taxes, RTA leaders announced cuts Tuesday in 15 routes' frequency of service effective March 11," reports Grant Segall.

According to Segall, the service reduction will take place on some of the system's least-used routes, but no routes will be cut entirely. The 15 routes in question "will be traveled up to half as often at certain times."

Trouble over transit funding in Ohio has been brewing for several months now, after Medicaid stopped paying its state-mandated sales taxes for managed care. "Ohio officials negotiated franchise fees for managed care that cover their share of those taxes but not the transit or county shares," according to Segall.

Mathew Richmond seemed to predict the announcement of the service reduction when he wrote the day before, and in much detail, on the funding shortfalls facing the RTA.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 in The Plain Dealer

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Brick buildings on small town street with red awnings on first floor businesses.

Research: Walkability Linked to Improved Public Health

A study reveals that the density of city blocks is a significant factor in communities’ walkability and, subsequently, improved public health outcomes for residents.

6 hours ago - Great Lakes Echo

Aerial view of neighborhood under construction with houses and vacant lots.

Report Outlines Strategies for Resilient Wildfire Recovery in LA

Project Recovery offers a roadmap for rebuilding more sustainable and climate-resilient communities after wildfires and other disasters.

7 hours ago - Urban Land Institute

Red rock landscape in Bears Ears National Monument, Utah.

New Executive Order Renews Attack on Public Lands

An order issued late last week pushes for increased mineral extraction on federally owned public lands.

March 26 - Rocky Mountain Community Radio