• support the revitalization of Downtown Cleveland with an attractive, uniquely designed transit vehicle.
• provide fast, easy to use rides around downtown for visitors, tourists and workers;
• retain existing riders and attract new transit customers;
• reduce auto-generated air pollution by eliminating short auto trips within the Central Business District (CBD)

NOACA projects in 2006 there will 16,000 one-way vehicle trips (about 8,000 automobile round-trips) on average each weekday, within the CBD. (The CBD is an area roughly bounded by the Innerbelt to the south and east, Lake Erie to the north and the Cuyahoga River to the west.) During 2005, 3,042 average weekday loop bus rides were taken, representing a decrease of over 1,200 automobile round-trips.

GCRTA is confident that this new Trolley Service will successfully increase public transit ridership and reduce congestion. The service has been designed to be highly recognizable, simple to understand and use and convenient. GCRTA expects the service will:

• Serve as distribution system for passengers from RTA, Akron Metro, LAKETRAN and PARTA. These shuttle routes will connect Public Square and GCRTA’s Tower City station, where connections can be made to and from the Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line and waterfront Line rail service, as well as the hub for all regional bus service, with downtown employment centers, entertainment centers, the warehouse district and CSU.
• Promote additional public transit ridership because transit customers will not be without wheels to get around downtown during the mid-day.
• Persons who don’t use public transit for their downtown commute can use the Trolley Service throughout the day to run errands and for lunch. This will help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
• Once non public transit commuters realize how easy and convenient it is to use the trolleys they could leave their cars at a Park-N-Ride lot, a rail station, or even in their driveways.

• At its March 17, 2006 meeting, the RTIS authorized staff to inform applicants requesting federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds (CMAQ) for 2006-2009 that recommendations from the draft State Implementation Plan (SIP) will be considered prior to programming CMAQ funds. The strategic use of CMAQ funds may be needed to achieve SIP goals.
• An evaluation of air quality impacts potential for reduced delays could be of value in determining which Federal-aid highway funding source such as CMAQ funds or STP funds. Eligibility for CMAQ funding will require an analysis from the sponsor demonstrating pollutant emission reduction as a result of the project. This project will reduce fuel consumption and increase air quality and safety.
• Advance to committee and public review with the understanding that the sponsor will make a good-faith effort to address comments.
• In accordance with NOACA's Regional Transportation Investment Policy (September 2003), "...as of July 1, 1996 no projects using NOACA attributable funds are programmed at a federal share greater than 80% of a project cost for components eligible for federal-aid." It is staff understanding that the amount of CMAQ funds requested for the proposed project represents a total cost. If so, only 80% of the respective amounts can be funded with CMAQ. The remaining portions are the responsibility of the sponsor. As such, 80% ($47,952) of the SFY 2007 cost can be funded with NOACA CMAQ. The 20% non-federal match ($11,988) must be provided by the sponsor. Similarly, 80% ($63,936) of the SFY 2008 cost can be funded with NOACA CMAQ. The 20% non-federal match ($15,984) must be provided by the sponsor.