Red Line (RTA Rapid Transit)
| Red Line | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 A Red Line train departing East 55th station | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner |
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| Locale | Cleveland and East Cleveland, Ohio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stations | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Rapid transit | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| System | RTA Rapid Transit | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rolling stock | 40 Tokyu HRVs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daily ridership | 9,300 (weekdays, Q2 2026) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ridership | 2,860,500 (2025) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | March 15, 1955 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last extension | 1968 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line length | 19 mi (31 km) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of tracks | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrification | Overhead line, 600 V DC | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 60 mph (97 km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Red Line (formerly and internally known as Route 66, also known as the Airport–Windermere Line) is the sole rapid transit line of the RTA Rapid Transit system in Cleveland, Ohio. It runs from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport northeast to Tower City in downtown Cleveland, then east and northeast to Windermere. The Red Line shares 2.6 miles (4.2 km) of track with the light rail Blue and Green lines, including the Tri-C–Campus District and East 55th stations. These stations have high platforms for Red Line trains and low platforms for Blue and Green Line trains.
The Red Line is built primarily within or alongside former railroad rights-of-way. It uses the pre-1930 right-of-way of the New York Central between Brookpark and West 117th Street, the Nickel Plate right-of-way between West 98th and West 65th streets, and the post-1930 New York Central right-of-way between West 25th Street and Windermere. The line is electrified by overhead lines and cars use a pantographs to collect power, with trains operated using one-person operation. In 2025, the line had a ridership of 2,860,500, or about 9,300 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2026.
As of 2026, the Red Line is being prepared for a transition from rapid transit to light rail vehicles.