Commuter Options

Downtown Cleveland boasts more transportation options for commuters than anywhere else in Ohio. Rapid transit, highway, bus and bicycle routes converge in Downtown Cleveland to provide easy multi-modal access for commuters and visitors. Regardless of how commuters travel downtown, pedestrian-friendly streets, the Free with a Smile Trolley, and the UH Bikes bicycle sharing system make getting around downtown simple.

Employers and real estate professionals can contact Michael Deemer in our Business Development Center at 216-325-0998 or start@downtowncleveland.com to request a presentation, technical assistance or additional information about Downtown Commuter Options.

FOR ALL COMMUTERS:

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) recently unveiled Gohio Commute, the region’s premier online commuter platform for both employers and employees.

• Employers can create (at no cost!) a personalized, private subsite for employees to incentivize alternative commutes, reduce parking demand, and save money on parking costs. Employers can also collect valuable data to document their commitment to sustainability.
• Employees can explore all of their commute options in one convenient place, with step-by-step directions for transit, biking, walking, and driving. Employees can also use the platform to connect with coworkers for carpooling. Documented carpoolers can take advantage of NOACA’s Guaranteed Ride Home program for emergencies - NOACA pays your Uber, Lyft or cab fare up to four times per year. Find your smarter way! (Contact: GCommute@mpo.noaca.org.)

FOR TRANSIT COMMUTERS:

 The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) makes it easy and affordable to work downtown without a car and reduces parking demand for employers.

• RTA CLE app for iOS and Android helps customers plan trips and set up secure accounts to purchase, save, and use tickets for bus and rail trips right from their smartphone.
• Transit App provides real-time information for GCRTA bus, train and trolley routes.
• Ready to Ride provides employees with individualized maps, directions, two weeks of free passes, and a personal trip advisor for stress-free commutes. (Contact: N. James (Jim) Frick, Sales Director, GCRTA, 216-356-3058 work, 216-702-7402 cell)
• Commuter Advantage helps employers and employees save money through monthly GCRTA passes purchased with pre-tax dollars. Employers reduce their taxable payroll, and employees reduce FICA, federal, and state taxes – a true win-win. All Commuter Advantage customers are eligible for reimbursement through GCRTA’s Guaranteed Ride Home program for emergencies.

• Vanpools help seven or more employees commute downtown from locations not well served by transit. GCRTA subsidizes vanpools – with vehicle and maintenance provided by Enterprise for a low monthly price, and only one parking space is needed!

FOR ACTIVE COMMUTERS:

• Gohio Commute provides trip planning for bicycle commutes and helps bicyclists create bikepools. NOACA also publishes free bike maps of routes connecting bikers to downtown.

• Bike Cleveland provides a Biking in Cleveland Guide, a helpful website, and fun activities.
• The Bike Rack, offered by the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, provides a secure, full-service downtown bicycle parking and commuter center -- with individual shower/changing facilities, lockers, bicycle rentals and minor bicycle repairs.
• Rack-N-Roll with GCRTA: Most RTA buses (except Park-N-Ride) have racks that hold either 2 or 3 bikes. Bikes are also permitted on RTA trains and HealthLine rapid transit vehicles at the operator’s discretion.

FOR GETTING AROUND DOWNTOWN:

• GCRTA’s “Smile and Ride Free” Trolleys offer a quick, easy, and free way to get around Downtown Cleveland. Go to lunch and downtown meetings without a car! Transit App provides real-time information about trolley arrival times.
• UH Bikes offers affordable bike rentals throughout downtown. Just download the app, unlock with a code, and you’re ready to bike!
• Uber and Lyft provide rideshare services in and around Downtown Cleveland.

FOR AUTOMOBILE COMMUTERS:

• Best Parking allows commuters, employers, visitors and commercial real estate professionals to identify parking locations and daily and monthly parking rates.
• The NineTwelve Trolley connects commuters with parking at the Municipal Parking Lot with the NineTwelve District, a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood home to one of Downtown Cleveland’s highest concentrations of knowledge-based jobs.
• The E-Line and B-Line Trolley routes connect large office buildings with lower cost parking in the Warehouse District, Campus District and Flats. Transit App provides real-time information about the arrival times of trolleys, easing the commute.
• Flexible spending accounts allow commuters to use pre-tax dollars to pay for their transit and parking costs. Ask your Human Resources department for details. If they have questions, they can contact Michael Deemer at Downtown Cleveland Alliance at 216-325-0998.