Local and federal officials joined the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for the groundbreaking of the West Shore Express bus rapid transit (BRT) line that will significantly improve bus service along Clifton Boulevard, a key transportation corridor connecting the western suburb of Lakewood to downtown Cleveland.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing roughly $16.3 million toward the $20 million West Shore Express BRT line, including $8.5 million for the purchase of 15 new buses manufactured by New Flyer Industries.

The West Shore Express BRT line along Clifton Boulevard will provide fast, efficient transit service along a four-mile corridor between Westgate Transit Center in Fairview Park and the federally-funded Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center downtown, with buses traveling in bus-only curb lanes during peak commuting hours; traffic signal priority to improve on-time bus service; and 19 new, lighted bus shelters with improved passenger amenities, including real-time GPS-based bus arrival monitors.

While in Cleveland, FTA Administrator Rogoff also announced the release of a $796,800 grant to the RTA through FTA’s State of Good Repair Program to purchase 11 new paratransit vehicles. These will replace older vehicles in RTA’s fleet that have reached or exceed their useful life and ensure reliable transit service for people with disabilities.