Tips for using the rapid? (Cleveland, Warren: apartment, new home, university)

[nrheasley]

Hello Cleveland!


I recently purchased a home in University Heights and would love to take advantage of the rapid Friday for an Indians game; however, my coworker recently told me about a bad experience he had on the rapid a few weeks ago. He's a male, so as a young female, if I hear that he is cautious about it, it makes me even more nervous. Are there any particular times or lines I should avoid? I am fairly inexperience with metro travel, if that is the correct term. The only time I've used similar train systems was two weeks in Europe.


Thanks!

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by nrheasley

Hello Cleveland!


I recently purchased a home in University Heights and would love to take advantage of the rapid Friday for an Indians game; however, my coworker recently told me about a bad experience he had on the rapid a few weeks ago. He's a male, so as a young female, if I hear that he is cautious about it, it makes me even more nervous. Are there any particular times or lines I should avoid? I am fairly inexperience with metro travel, if that is the correct term. The only time I've used similar train systems was two weeks in Europe.


Thanks!

There is really nothing to worry about.

I used to work at every Indians game. Went down at about 3:30 and back at about 10:30 or 11 (sometimes later, depending on length of the game) to the Courtland Blvd Green Line stop in 2012. I did this for about 65 games. I not once had any "bad experience" on the rapid. Used it about 5 times last weekend too. Zero problems. No problems for me, no problems for anyone else on the train.

Are there sometimes weird people/drug addicts on public transit? Yep. I see that all the time here in Boston. It happens in NYC, Philly, DC, and sure, Cleveland too.

The rapid is actually much much more comfortable than typical urban transit. Definitely more comfortable than the MBTA in Boston, no question about it.

[nrheasley]

That's very reassuring! I was really surprised by my coworker's story. I've heard the rapid mentioned MANY times here on city-data and assumed it was a fairly popular mode of transportation. I've never heard anything negative about it on here.

[Minervah]

So what was your friend's bad experience? I hope it wasn't too bad. I have taken the Red Line quite a few times since I've been living in Cleveland (2 years) and have not had anything out of the ordinary happen. Now if you want to talk about my experiences on the Chicago subway system........

You know the old saying, "Stuff happens." And it can happen anywhere.

[Clevelander17]

If there is an Indians game that you're going to, odds are good that there will be quite a few others taking the Rapid down for the Tribe as well. I've always been reassured by that.

[216facts]

Never had a bad experience on the Cleveland rapid. Worst mass-transit experience for me was on the blue line in Chicago, where I've seen glazed-eye junkies roaming coach to coach (going across the couplings) while yelling....at something.

If you're going to an Indians game, and they have fireworks, and you like to drink after the game, like me, then remember the rapid shuts down at midnight. Then its uber.

[usernameunavailable]

Originally Posted by 216facts

Never had a bad experience on the Cleveland rapid. Worst mass-transit experience for me was on the blue line in Chicago, where I've seen glazed-eye junkies roaming coach to coach (going across the couplings) while yelling....at something.

If you're going to an Indians game, and they have fireworks, and you like to drink after the game, like me, then remember the rapid shuts down at midnight. Then its uber.

Red Line shuts down at 12:30 I thought? And don't they run extra service after Indians games?

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by usernameunavailable

Red Line shuts down at 12:30 I thought? And don't they run extra service after Indians games?

Last rapid is an hour after games end if the game goes long. At least that's how it was when I worked there.

[WRnative]

RTA says service is guaranteed for 90 minutes after the game.

Definitely check out the walkway from Tower City to the Q/Progressive Field.

Sports Teams | Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by nrheasley

Hello Cleveland!


I recently purchased a home in University Heights and would love to take advantage of the rapid Friday for an Indians game; however, my coworker recently told me about a bad experience he had on the rapid a few weeks ago. He's a male, so as a young female, if I hear that he is cautious about it, it makes me even more nervous. Are there any particular times or lines I should avoid? I am fairly inexperience with metro travel, if that is the correct term. The only time I've used similar train systems was two weeks in Europe.


Thanks!

Welcome to Cleveland ... Would you be walking or driving from your new home in University Heights? If you're walking, depending what part of UH you're coming from, you could walk to Courtland. Just be aware if you're driving, there is no free parking at Courtland, but there is 1-stop further out a Warrensville (but note, it is only accessible from the westbound lanes from Warrensville Center road. I guess you can park along the street on Courtland if available. It used to be, though, that Shaker would ticket, and in some instances tow, cars parked after certain hours like midnight or 1p-- I'm not sure whether that's still the place, but you may want to buzz Shaker's Streets Dept to make sure if you want to try this option.

I agree with the above posters: the rapid is fine. The Green Line tends to be faster than the Blue Line along Van Aken because there is less density (more mansions) along Shaker Blvd where the Green Line runs, as opposed to Van Aken, which has generally smaller homes and a number of apartment buildings. A number of John Carroll students use the Green Line rapid as well. It's very safe.