Source: The News-Herald

By Max Reinhart
September 02, 2012

The idea of parking in downtown Cleveland can be enough to scare off some people from checking out the city’s new Horseshoe Casino.

 

With that in mind, Laketran is offering ‘Rock-n-Ride,’ a bus service to and from the casino.

 

Julia Schick, Laketran’s director of marketing and public relations, said a few months before Horseshoe even opened, Laketran began receiving phone calls requesting service to the casino.

 

Though the bus service was already offering downtown trips, Schick said the hype for the new attraction gave Laketran the chance to re-brand the service with an emphasis on the casino.

 

“We’ve always wanted to promote our Cleveland Commuter service as a means to get downtown to enjoy museums, the Rock Hall, or even the Westside Market,” Schick said.

 

“The Horseshoe Casino created the buzz to launch the service aimed at both seniors and families alike.”

 

The Rock-n-Ride program officially kicked off on May 14, the same day the casino opened to the general public.

 

Riders can park for free at any of Laketran’s five Park-n-Ride locations to catch a ride downtown to Public Square for $3.75 each way. Schick said the bus conveniently drops off riders less than a block from the Horseshoe’s doors.

 

Most Rock-n-Riders, she said, take Laketran’s Route 12 on the latest morning departure out of Lake County to arrive downtown around 10 a.m. They then usually take an afternoon route back.

 

The program has evidently been catching on since the casino opened its doors. “We’ve seen about a 10 percent increase in ridership on our Route 12 over 2011, so there’s definitely more people on-board,” Schick said.

 

Once they arrive downtown, she said riders are permitted free transfer to RTA buses or they can take advantage of RTA’s free trollies to navigate the city.

 

“With high parking costs coupled with summer gas prices, Laketran’s Rock-n-Ride provides a great ‘staycation’ opportunity for families or seniors that want to enjoy a day in Cleveland,” she said.

 

Schick said the program is available for anyone, although riders who plan to travel with a group or use a wheelchair are asked to call Laketran in advance to ensure space.