Find the Correct RTA Bus Schedule, Route Map, Stop and Arrival Time
“RTA” most commonly leads U.S. riders to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, but the same initials are also used by transit systems in Dayton, New Orleans and Riverside County.
This guide begins with Cleveland RTA schedules and routes, then shows how to identify another RTA agency, read a timetable, find the correct stop, check live service, pay the fare and avoid outdated schedule information.
How to Find an RTA Bus Schedule Without Opening the Wrong City
Confirm the city before searching by route number. “RTA Route 1” can describe a completely different journey in Cleveland, Dayton, New Orleans or Riverside County.
Identify the city
Cleveland searches usually lead to RideRTA.com. Dayton uses IrideRTA.org, New Orleans uses NORTA.com and Riverside uses RiversideTransit.com.
Choose the route
Match the route number and corridor name, such as 22 Lorain, 25 Madison–Clark or 51 MetroHealth Line.
Choose the direction
Use the final destination on the bus headsign rather than relying only on inbound, outbound, eastbound or westbound.
Choose the service day
Weekday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday departure tables can be different.
Wrong-agency warning: do not use a Cleveland timetable for Greater Dayton RTA, New Orleans RTA or Riverside Transit Agency. The agencies have different routes, fares, apps and customer-service numbers.
RTA agency selector
Which RTA Transit System Are You Looking For?
The cards below separate the major U.S. agencies commonly called RTA. Cleveland is the primary focus of this page, while the other cards direct riders to the correct official schedule system.
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
GCRTA operates local buses, bus rapid transit, Rapid rail, trolley service and Park-N-Ride routes across Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.
Official name: GCRTAWebsite: RideRTA.comPrimary hub: Tower City / Public SquareAirport connection: Red Line
Use the official route directory to open a route description, timetable, direction, map and current service information.
Greater Cleveland RTA Bus Routes and Major Corridors
GCRTA route numbers should be matched with the corridor name and final destination. Routes with suffixes such as A, B, C or F can follow different branches or terminal patterns.
1 St. Clair
Downtown Cleveland to the East 153rd Street Loop through the St. Clair corridor.
Downtown east-side route
2 East 79
Maud Loop at East 79th and St. Clair to Steelyard Commons.
Crosstown connection
3 Superior
Superior Avenue service between Downtown Cleveland and Stokes–Windermere Rapid Station.
Downtown to Windermere
7–7A Monticello
Service between Windermere Rapid Station and Richmond Park Drive.
Branch route
8 Cedar–Buckeye
Downtown Cleveland to Shaker Square through Cedar and Buckeye corridors.
Downtown to Shaker Square
9 Mayfield–Hough
Downtown Cleveland to Mayfield Road and SOM Center Road.
Long east-side corridor
10 East 105–Lakeshore
Turney–Ella Loop to Shoregate Town Center.
Cross-county route
14–14A Kinsman
Downtown service to Lander Circle and Country Lane.
Check 14 vs 14A
19–19A–19B Broadway
Downtown to Tri-C Eastern Campus and Southgate Transit Center.
Multiple branches
22 Lorain
Downtown Cleveland to Westgate Transit Center through Lorain Avenue.
Major west-side corridor
25 Madison–Clark
Downtown to Westgate Transit Center through Tremont, Clark Avenue and Madison Avenue.
West-side local service
26–26A Detroit
Downtown Cleveland to Crocker Park through Detroit Avenue and Center Ridge Road.
Check branch destination
31 St. Clair–Babbitt
Windermere Station to East 222nd Street and Shore Center Drive, with selected Amazon trips.
Limited destination trips
45 Ridge–Fulton
Downtown to Tri-C Western Campus through Parma Transit Center.
Downtown–Parma corridor
51–51A MetroHealth Line
Downtown, West 25th Street, MetroHealth, Tri-C Western Campus and Parma Transit Center.
51 and 51A differ
53–53A MetroHealth–Broadview
Downtown to MetroHealth Brecksville or North Royalton through Broadview Road.
Expressway and branch service
55–55B–55C Clifton
Downtown service toward North Olmsted, Bay Village and Crocker Park.
Three outer terminals
251 Strongsville Park-N-Ride
Cleveland State University transit center to Strongsville Park-N-Ride through I-71.
Commuter express
Complete directory: open the official GCRTA route page for every current bus, BRT, rail, trolley and Park-N-Ride schedule.
How Cleveland RTA Services Fit Together
Local bus
Numbered routes serve city streets, neighborhoods, shopping centers, schools, hospitals and transit centers.
Bus Rapid Transit
HealthLine operates on Euclid Avenue between Public Square and Windermere. Cleveland State Line serves the Clifton corridor.
Rapid rail
Red, Blue and Green lines connect Tower City with the airport, east-side stations and Shaker-area destinations.
Diagram limitation: this is a simplified transfer guide, not a geographic map or complete stop diagram. Use the official system map for route planning.
Official PDF viewer
View the Greater Cleveland RTA System Map
The official full-system PDF shows bus routes, Rapid rail lines, hospitals, shopping destinations, schools, major roads and transfer points across Cuyahoga County.
Map freshness rule: the full system map gives network context, but an individual route page should control the current stop pattern and timetable.
How to Find Today’s RTA Bus Times
Open the official route directory.
Go to RideRTA routes and select the route number and name.
Confirm the route variation.
Routes such as 7–7A, 14–14A, 19–19A–19B, 26–26A, 51–51A and 55–55B–55C have branches or terminal differences.
Select the correct service day.
Read the weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday table that matches the date of travel.
Select the destination direction.
Compare the direction heading with the destination displayed on the front of the bus.
Find the nearest published timepoint.
A printed schedule normally lists major intersections and stations rather than every stop.
Check live information.
Use the Transit app or an official real-time tool to see predicted arrivals and current delays.
Check active service alerts.
Construction, weather, events and emergencies can temporarily move or close stops.
Arrive at least five minutes early.
GCRTA advises riders to be at the stop before the scheduled departure.
How to Read an RTA Timetable Correctly
Route
#
Match number and name.
Direction
→
Match the destination.
Day
D
Choose the service table.
Timepoint
T
Find a nearby major stop.
Alert
!
Verify live conditions.
Timepoints are selected stops
The timetable may show only a transit center, station or major intersection. Stops between timepoints require an estimate or live prediction.
A dash can mean no service
A dash usually indicates that a particular trip does not serve that timepoint or branch.
Suffixes change the trip
An A, B, C or F suffix can identify a different terminal, routing pattern or service type.
First and last times are terminal-based
The first trip leaving the terminal reaches later stops after the displayed departure.
Added trips can be partial
Operational trips may begin or end before the normal terminal. Read the vehicle destination sign.
Holiday service can override weekday service
A Monday holiday may operate a Sunday or special schedule rather than the normal Monday timetable.
How to Find the Correct RTA Bus Stop
Two stops at the same intersection may serve opposite directions. Confirm the exact route, destination and curb location before waiting.
RTA agency
Confirm Cleveland or another city.
Route number
Match the full route label.
Destination
Read the final headsign.
Street side
Confirm travel direction.
Stop marker
Look for the RTA target sign.
Alert status
Check temporary relocation.
Cleveland stop marker: GCRTA instructs bus riders to look for the round RTA target symbol. Some stop signs also show the route numbers serving that location.
Do not cross the street because an app pin looks close: confirm which side of the road serves your destination before moving to the opposite stop.
Real-time arrival guidance
RTA Live Bus Times, Predictions and Service Status
A scheduled departure is the planned time. A prediction estimates when a tracked vehicle will reach the stop. A live map shows vehicle location, while an alert explains a disruption.
Transit app
GCRTA recommends the Transit app for trip planning, scheduled departures, real-time information and service updates.
Official route page
Use the route page to confirm the route name, service description, timetable and current map.
Google Transit
Enter the starting location, destination, date and desired departure or arrival time.
Community Connection Line
Call 216-621-9500 for trip-planning help. Have the starting address, destination and desired travel time ready.
Another RTA city
Use the agency selector near the top of this page before opening an app or entering a route number.
Prediction disappeared? The bus may have lost GPS reporting, been taken out of service, entered a detour, completed the tracked trip or not yet started its operating assignment.
Cleveland fares reviewed August 3, 2026
Greater Cleveland RTA Bus Fares and Passes
Fare products can have different transfer rights. Cash is simple, but it can be more expensive when a journey requires another bus or train.
Adult cash fare$2.50
Bus, Rapid and BRT cash fare. Use exact change because operators do not provide change.
Adult daily pass$5.00
Unlimited eligible rides until 3 a.m. the following day under the published pass rules.
Senior, disabled or child cash$1.25
Eligibility requirements and appropriate identification apply.
K–12 student cash fare$1.75
Student fare rules and identification requirements may apply.
Cash transfer warning: cash riders pay the full fare each time they board another bus or train. Exact change is required.
Mobile-ticket change: since May 7, 2026, mobile-ticket customers must scan the fare validator when boarding. Showing the phone screen without a successful scan is not accepted as completed fare validation.
Review all current products, Cleveland visitor passes, reduced fares and multi-trip options on the official GCRTA fares page.
RTA Transfers Between Bus, BRT and Rapid Rail
Connection
Where It Commonly Happens
What to Check
Bus to Rapid rail
Tower City, Windermere, West Park, Brookpark and other Rapid stations
Platform direction, fare validation and elevator status
Bus to HealthLine
Public Square, Euclid Avenue and Windermere
Proof-of-payment rules before boarding
West-side bus transfer
Westgate Transit Center, West Park or Brookpark
Correct bay and branch destination
Southwest bus transfer
Parma Transit Center or Tri-C Western Campus
51 versus 51A and connecting route departure
East-side bus transfer
Windermere, Southgate or Tri-C Eastern Campus
Branch suffix and outer-terminal destination
Build a transfer buffer: do not plan an important medical, airport or work trip around a one-minute connection.
RTA Service to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
The Red Line provides rail service between Louis Stokes Station at Windermere, Downtown Cleveland and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
From downtown
Use the Red Line from Tower City in the airport direction. Confirm track and service status before entering the platform.
From a bus route
Connect to the Red Line at Tower City, West Park, Brookpark or another appropriate station based on your starting route.
Allow extra time
Leave a buffer for the bus-to-rail transfer, walking inside the airport and security screening.
Airport warning: a bus schedule and a flight deadline are not interchangeable. Plan around the required airport arrival time, not the aircraft departure time.
RTA Wheelchair Access and Accessible Trip Planning
GCRTA states that all buses, trains, trolleys and BRT vehicles are ADA-compliant. Major stations and passenger facilities are accessible or included in continuing upgrade programs.
Boarding assistance
Ask the operator for a ramp, lift or assistance when needed.
Service animals
Trained service animals are permitted on GCRTA vehicles and in transit facilities when under the rider’s control.
Station conditions
Check elevator and escalator status before a rail trip when step-free access is required.
Reasonable modification
Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at 216-356-3085 for a reasonable-modification request or accessible-format information.
Paratransit
Riders unable to use fixed-route service because of a qualifying disability may need the separate ADA paratransit eligibility process.
Temporary stop access
Construction can move a stop to a curb, slope or surface that is harder to use. Contact RTA when the replacement location is inaccessible.
Vehicle access does not prove stop access: verify the sidewalk, curb, boarding area and connecting station when mobility conditions matter.
Bicycles, E-Bikes, Strollers and Personal Items
Standard bus bike racks
Most GCRTA buses have exterior racks holding approximately two or three bicycles.
HealthLine bicycles
HealthLine vehicles use an interior designated bicycle area near the rear rather than the normal front rack.
Full rack
When no rack or bicycle space is available, wait for the next vehicle.
Loading procedure
Signal the operator, lower the rack from the curb side, place the wheels in the slots and secure the support arm over the front tire.
E-bikes and scooters
GCRTA permits qualifying fully electric devices under published size, folding, fuel and aisle-clearance rules.
Strollers and bags
Keep aisles, doors, wheelchair areas and emergency exits clear. Follow operator instructions during crowded trips.
Editorial verification
Schedule, route, fare and contact details were reviewed against official agency information on .
Official-source review completed August 3, 2026
Independent-site disclosure: busschedule.us does not operate RTA service, control schedules, sell official fares, locate vehicles or guarantee arrival times.
Frequently Asked Questions About RTA Bus Schedules
Which city does “RTA bus schedule” usually refer to?
In many U.S. searches, it refers to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. However, Dayton, New Orleans and Riverside County also use RTA in their transit-agency names.
Where can I find all Cleveland RTA routes?
Use the official RideRTA routes page, which lists local bus, BRT, rail, trolley and Park-N-Ride services.
How do I find the next RTA bus time?
Confirm the route and direction, find the exact stop, then check the official timetable and a live prediction through the Transit app or agency tool.
How much is the Cleveland RTA bus fare?
The published individual Bus, Rapid and BRT cash fare is $2.50. Exact change is required, and cash riders pay again when boarding another vehicle.
Does Cleveland RTA have a daily pass?
Yes. The published adult Bus, Rapid and BRT daily pass is $5 and provides unlimited eligible rides until 3 a.m. the following day.
Why are there several versions of the same RTA route?
Letters such as A, B, C or F can indicate a different branch, terminal or service pattern. Match the complete route label and bus destination sign.
How early should I arrive at an RTA bus stop?
GCRTA recommends arriving at least five minutes before the scheduled departure.
Does Cleveland RTA go to the airport?
Yes. The Red Line connects Windermere, Downtown Cleveland and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Are Cleveland RTA buses wheelchair accessible?
GCRTA states that all buses, trains, trolleys and BRT vehicles are ADA-compliant. Stop and station conditions should still be checked when step-free access is essential.
Can I take a bicycle on an RTA bus?
Most GCRTA buses have exterior bicycle racks. HealthLine vehicles use a designated interior bicycle area. Space is limited and available on a first-come basis.
Why is my RTA bus missing from the tracker?
The bus may not have started its trip, may have lost GPS reporting, may be on a detour or may have been removed from service. Check the next scheduled trip and current alerts.
What should I do if the RTA schedule is outdated?
Return to the official route page, confirm the current effective date and compare the timetable with current service alerts before traveling.
