Cleveland named in "10 cities with great transit" (Grand Rapids: mover, neighborhoods)

[BelieveInCleve]

"Cleveland -- pop. 438,042
Despite financial hardships earlier in this decade, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transportation Authority saw several years of rail and bus ridership growth, added "free with a smile" downtown trolleys, and was hailed as one of the nation's best transit systems by the American Public Transportation Association in 2007. In 2008, it added a route traveled by hybrid buses. Bike racks on buses and an airport connector make it theoretically possible to get around car-free. All of which rocks! But during the last year, route cuts and fare hikes have left some customers feeling stranded..."

- Buses and Beyond: 10 Cities with Great Transit - 1 - MSN City Guides

Other cities mentioned: Phoenix, Richmond VA, Denver, Salt Lake City, Charlotte NC, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Orlando FL, Grand Rapids MI.

[TheProf]

Makes sense... for a mid-sized big city, Cleveland's transit: 34 miles of heavy and light rail; 6.7 mile bus rapid transit, downtown trolley routes, freeway (park 'n ride) flyer buses and suburban commuter buses (including the cushy LakeTran buses out of Lake County), is comprehensive... The 3-C Amtrak (with the planned W. 150th stop at the Red Line Rapid) will only enhance things...

... Detroit: eat your heart out!!!!

[BelieveInCleve]

I agree.

I was also just in Detroit for a month and their transit system is a joke. No real rail system (People Mover) and it seems the only people who ride the buses are in poverty and they are forced to as they have no other means to get where they have to go. Not that the inner city neighborhoods in Detroit would even be able to support a rail system, most are too empty and abandoned.

[The Cactus Leaguer]

I disagree with this article, but only because they mentioned 10 "surprising places" with great transit.

Cleveland has a great transit system, period. It is no secret, and thus no surprise. Perhaps the author was surprised because somehow Cleveland is affiliated with midwestern car culture, but I've always felt like Cleveland is more of a hybrid between the midwest and the northeast - ergo, great transit.

[austinite83]

I know the light/heavy rail is somewhat okay.Now the buses work there own schedule, which is not cool in a 0 degree wind chill.

[SquareBetterThanAll]

Originally Posted by BelieveInCleve

I agree.

I was also just in Detroit for a month and their transit system is a joke. No real rail system (People Mover) and it seems the only people who ride the buses are in poverty and they are forced to as they have no other means to get where they have to go. Not that the inner city neighborhoods in Detroit would even be able to support a rail system, most are too empty and abandoned.

Detroit has the Big Three to thank for that - directly or indirectly, I can assure you that's why a city with nearly 2 million people (at one point) has one of the most pitiful public transportation systems of any major city.

Slightly related - as the Big Three choke, has anyone else mused that they are a big reason for the destruction of American cities? Car culture completely ripped apart mass transportation and densely populated cities, with the gov't onboard with public policies supporting cars and highways.

Ok carry on.