Driving Connections

In episode 2 of Driving Connections, Safety on the System, host Ron Allen sits down with GCRTA Transit Police Chief Jones and Cleveland Division of Police Chief Todd to discuss the seen and unseen work that goes into supporting safety across GCRTA’s transit system.

As one of only two transit police departments in Ohio, GCRTA Transit Police plays a unique role in keeping riders, employees and the transit system safe. The conversation explores how GCRTA Transit Police and the Cleveland Division of Police work together, including training, coordination and support when their responsibilities overlap.

They also discuss the role technology plays behind the scenes, the importance of police visibility and presence throughout the system, and the people and partnerships working every day to support a safe transit experience.

We Hear You. It's more than the theme of our premiere episode. It's the conversation that begins Driving Connections. 

Jerome's Rider Story opens the episode with a simple but meaningful question born from his experience using GCRTA after moving to Greater Cleveland: How often is agency leadership out riding the system? 

That question leads host Ron Allen into a conversation with Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority General Manager and CEO India L. Birdsong Terry about why rider experiences matter and how listening to those experiences helps shape public transportation across Northeast Ohio. 

Together, they introduce the vision behind Driving Connections, discuss the importance of creating a platform for authentic rider voices, and explore major initiatives including Account-Based Ticketing (ABT), Smartcards, fare capping, how GCRTA is funded, and the Railcar Replacement Program. More importantly, they explain how those decisions connect back to the people who use transit every day. 

Whether you're a daily rider or simply curious about how public transit works, this episode offers an inside look at the conversations shaping the future of mobility across Greater Cleveland.