The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) hopes to expand its reach — and gain new riders by helping people get connected to Cleveland — with a new Facebook page and contests every week..

With more than 500 million active Facebook users worldwide, adding an RTA page is a step to reach more people who typically may not use RTA services to take another look at public transportation.

“Cleveland offers so many attractions and fun things for everyone,” says Joe Calabrese, RTA CEO and General Manager. “And RTA is at the center of all. We connect people to the places they need to go, and want to go. Facebook is fun, so it is the ideal way to help everyone — riders and non-riders alike — to get connected to our city.”

Currently, riders can visit http://www.facebook.com/riderta and enter a sweepstakes to win an iPad.

“Even if you are not a rider, you’ll find fun things to do on our Facebook page,” Calabrese says. “There’s info on sports, restaurants, Cleveland groups and other attractions, as well as details on how to use RTA to reach those spots.”