A budget crunch at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority could mean service cuts starting next year, just as the transit agency is about to take possession of its first new trains since the Reagan Administration (contributed photo). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Spiking healthcare costs hit transit agency
Due to higher operating costs, especially in healthcare for its employees, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) plans to make significant cuts to bus and rail services in 2026, cutting a lifeline to jobs, education and medical services.
The bad news was announced and discussed at yesterday’s GCRTA board meeting. While some immediate cost-cutting solutions were recommended by the board and agency staff, it was too early for any potential service cuts to be specified.
In a meeting of the Operational Planning & Infrastructure Committee, Kay Sutula, director of GCRTA’s office management and budget, informed the board that healthcare and prescription costs had increased by 34 percent from October 2024 to October 2025. The average annual increase over the prior six years was 3.8 percent…