Cleveland RTA Cuts Trolley to Address Budget Gap

Cleveland RTA eliminates B-Line trolley, scales back Waterfront Line to save $2.5M annually

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Cleveland RTA Cuts B-Line Trolley to Save $2.5M

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Cleveland's downtown trolley service will be eliminated under proposed budget cuts that'll save $2.5 million annually, transit officials said. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority plans to cut the B-Line trolley entirely and scale back the Waterfront Line to event-only service, with changes potentially taking effect August 16. The cuts address a budget shortfall driven by soaring healthcare costs.

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The proposed service reductions stem from rapidly increasing employee medical insurance costs, which jumped from $34 million in 2024 to $56 million in 2026, according to the transit agency. That $22 million increase has created significant budget pressure for RTA, forcing officials to identify service cuts that'll minimize rider impact while closing the funding gap. The agency hasn't decided whether it'll seek a sales tax increase to address long-term funding issues. Transit agencies nationwide have faced similar healthcare cost pressures in recent years, often leading to difficult service reduction decisions.

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The B-Line trolley, which launched in 2006 as part of downtown revitalization efforts, currently averages only 3.3 riders per trip. The Waterfront Line, which opened in 1996 during Cleveland's bicentennial celebration, now averages less than one rider per direction per day on non-event days. Additional proposed cuts include reducing frequency on routes #78 and #86 on weekdays, and routes #3 and #10 on weekends. RTA is also proposing to discontinue the #19B Broadway Fargo branch and realign the #77 Brecksville route.

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Public hearings are scheduled for April 13, 15, and 16, 2026, giving riders and community members opportunities to comment on the proposed changes. The comment period closes April 27, 2026, with a final decision expected May 7, 2026. If approved, the service cuts would take effect August 16, 2026, officials said.

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Transit advocates, including Clevelanders for Public Transit, have expressed concerns that these cuts will disproportionately affect low-income riders and communities dependent on public transportation. Riders affected by the proposed changes can attend public hearings to voice concerns or submit written comments before the April 27 deadline. Moovit provides real-time updates and service alerts for Cleveland RTA routes to help riders plan alternative trips if the cuts take effect.