3 years ago this month, fare enforcement by RTA transit police was ruled unconstitutional.

The ruling states: “If RTA utilized non-law enforcement officers, a constitutional analysis would be unnecessary. The utilization of police officers inappropriately removes the 'middleman' or buffer between police and passengers. Passengers should only encounter police once reasonable articulable suspicion is established.”

Join Clevelanders for Public Transit and Black Spring CLE as we discuss the history of transit police in Cleveland: Why fare checks by RTA police has been ruled unconstitutional, and how to make transit better by creating transit ambassadors, decriminalizing fare evasion, and rededicating funds to more RTA service and cheaper fares.

Over the past 15 years, fares have doubled while RTA service has been cut over 25%. During this time the transit police budget has doubled.

After a court ruled in 2017 that fare checks by transit police was unconstitutional, CPT released our Fair Fares Platform calling for transit ambassadors and decriminalizing fare evasion.

Read more about Fair Fares here.

Black Spring CLE is a Black-led community response organization. BSC's mission is to create a clear set of inclusive next steps that catalyze the defunding and dismantling of the Greater Cleveland Area police force. Their #AbolishTheOverlap campaign seeks to defund RTA transit police, using funds to improve RTA service and reduce fares.

Clevelanders for Public Transit is a riders union and transit advocacy organization formed in 2015 in response to endless RTA fare increases and service cuts. CPT released the Fair Fares platform in February 2018 and has been working tireless to improve transit in Cleveland.