How great is GCRTA? (Cleveland, Lakewood: rentals, home, university)

[Rwarky]

How reliable is greater Cleveland's RTA? Is is a pretty decent transit sytem? Can one solely rely on it without having an automobile? Any concerns or issues with this form of transportation?

[airics]

just noticed 90minutes from eastgate/mayfield to downtown??? seems like alot

[Boffo]

It depends on what you are going to use it for. Are you going to live in the suburbs or the city and what do you want to do with your leisure time. If you are only going to need it to get around the city and inner-ring suburbs, then there are multiple buses, trolleys, and rail to get you around town that run frequently. They are usually very reliable and never come more than 5 minutes later than what the schedule says. But if you are trying to get around in the suburbs as the post above noted it can take a while. Another valid option is a newer business called CityWheels. They basically rent out vehicles to residents in the city who do not want to own a car but need one every once in a while. They have a location in University Circle and are bringing new locations to downtown and shaker square. Hope that helps.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Rwarky

How reliable is greater Cleveland's RTA? Is is a pretty decent transit sytem? Can one solely rely on it without having an automobile? Any concerns or issues with this form of transportation?

No way. Many routes do not run on Sundays, many don't run much later than 7 pm on Saturday nights.

You certainly could say live in Lakewood and commute downtown during normal business or rush hours. However, if you need to make connections, it can be very time consuming.

I lived in Lakewood and the RTA was a convenient way to head to a football game downtown or to get to the airport (and avoid parking). However, the ride to work (25 miles) would take over 4 hours.

[BelieveInCleve]

GCRTA is very good for an area the size of Cleveland, but I doubt you could get by without a car. If you were to even attempt that, you would have to live in the most convenient areas for public transportation and have shopping and your job not far away. Even then you would probably need a car for things now and then.

[waltlantz]

Unless you live in upper Cayahoga County, like the traditional inner ring Cleveland suburbs no. You need a car, Cleveland area is really spread out.

[jlawrence01]

You could probably pull it off if you lived in the city or in an inner-ring of the suburb. Off-rental airport rentals like Enterprise and Hertz will rent you a vehicle for $10-15/ weekend day and that could probably assist you on getting around the city on weekends. Personally, it would NOT be MY choice but it may be doable.

[Clevelander17]

I love the Rapid, I just wish it were more extensive. It's great for those of us that live in the Heights area, though!

[KKoots16]

My husband takes the RTA everyday and it is very reliable and the busses are clean. He takes one buss from our home in Rocky River to Midtown (30th & Chester). I am originally from NYC and wish I could take the bus from home to where I work in Beachwood on the east side. Although reliable I need to take two busses and one train. A little frustrating but good if we are in a jam.