State funding of $620,000 has been directed to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority for two transit upgrades, according to an announcement attributed to Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The award comes through the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program, which ODOT's Office of Transit administers. That program channels money to transit agencies for capital infrastructure, technology and vehicle work intended to link Ohio workers with regional employers.
GCRTA plans to use the funds in two areas. Along two primary bus corridors, the agency intends to install raised modular boarding platforms, a design meant to let buses remain in the travel lane rather than pulling to the curb past parked vehicles or a bike lane. The agency says this removes the need to wait for a gap to re-enter traffic, cutting travel time and improving safety for passengers, pedestrians and people using mobility devices such as scooters, bikes and wheelchairs.
The second piece is new digital signage offering real-time schedule information, track-level wayfinding and service alerts. GCRTA says the changes are expected to benefit thousands of Northeast Ohio riders by improving accessibility across the system.
Maribeth Feke, the authority's programming and planning director, characterized the investment as recognition of transit's role in connecting communities and supporting the state economy, and said the platforms and signage would serve residents traveling to work, school, medical appointments and other destinations.