Red Line (Cleveland) - Fare Collection

Fare Collection

Effective September 1, 2009, the one-way cash fare on the RTA Rapid Transit is $2.25. A five-trip fare card can be purchased for $11.25. An All-Day pass, allowing unlimited riding on the rapid transit as well as on RTA buses is $5.00 ($2.50 for children). Weekly and monthly passes are also available, and there are discounted fares for seniors and disabled.

Many of the stations formerly had a secure turnstile system as well as staffed agent booths, but RTA removed them in 2009 at all but two stations in favor of a proof-of-payment system.

Before boarding, passengers must either purchase (and thereby activate) an All Day Pass or 1-ride or 2-ride farecard or swipe and activate their pre-purchased farecard/pass at a ticket vending machine (TVM). Higher volume stations have customer service kiosks where passengers may purchase a full range of RTA fare media. Once their pass/farecard has been activated, passengers are permitted to enter the station's "fare paid zone" which is clearly marked by signage at each station. While in the fare paid zone, as well as while on the train, passengers are subject to random checks by RTA Transit Police to ensure that each person has paid a fare. Violators are subject to criminal prosecution.

At downtown's Tower City Station, the sole remaining station on the line where passengers consistently pass through secure turnstiles, departing riders must swipe their pass/farecard at the gate to gain access to the platform and arriving passengers must swipe their proof of payment card to exit the station.