RTA's proposed cuts include B Line trolley, Waterfront Line

State of play: Steep increases in employee health care costs threatened major cuts late last year, but RTA has scaled back what was initially proposed as a 12% service reduction.

• The changes currently on the table are much more modest — about 3% — which RTA says would save roughly $2.5 million per year.

Zoom in: Only three routes would be discontinued in the current proposal, including two downtown routes that are now largely empty — the free downtown "B Line" trolley and the Waterfront Line Rapid.

• On average, fewer than one passenger per trip boards the Waterfront Line on days without a special event, per Cleveland.com, and about three people ride each circulation of the B Line.
• The Waterfront Line would only run on special event days in RTA's proposal.

Also: The #77 in Brecksville would be realigned, with discontinued service west of I-77 and extended service to Columbia Road.

• Four other routes would have reduced frequency on either weekdays or weekends.

Stop by: Hearings are scheduled for April 13, 15 and 16, with a public comment period that wraps up April 27.

What's next: Per NEOtrans, RTA hopes to make route decisions by May 7 in order for the changes to take effect by a target date of Aug. 16.