RTA Celebrates 50 Years of Direct Red Line Service to the Airport

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is reaching an important milestone this November as it celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Red Line service to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

In November 1968, Cleveland became the first city in the Western Hemisphere to offer direct rail service between its central business district and an international airport.

“It wasn’t Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles or even Washington D.C.,” said Floun’say Caver, interim CEO and general manager of RTA. “It was Cleveland, and RTA’s service became one of many of Cleveland “firsts” and a major asset to the region. Today, it remains a critical component, not only to Downtown economic development but to the burgeoning travel, tourism and convention business in the city.”

“The Red Line offers the most convenient connection to your next flight,” Caver said. “Once you’ve boarded the Red Line heading to or from the airport, you never have to step outside to make your connections between Cleveland and major cities across the world,” Caver said.

RTA is celebrating this anniversary by partnering with Icelandair on a special promotion offering round-trip airfare for two on Icelandair to Reykjavik, Iceland. The package also includes four-night hotel accommodations, a tour of the region with Reykjavik Excursions and airport and hotel transfers.

The promotion begans September 17 and runs through November 11.