Jul 7, 2026 - Transit

RTA sales tax increase may head to the ballot box

Sam Allard

A color photo through a black chain link fence of an Airport-bound RTA Red Line train. — An airport-bound Red Line train. Photo: Sam Allard/Axios

The RTA board is expected to decide Tuesday whether to ask Cuyahoga County voters for the agency's first sales tax increase in more than 50 years.

Why it matters: Without new revenue, transit officials say RTA will have to begin incrementally cutting service.

With it, the agency says it can expand bus and rail service while avoiding a looming fiscal cliff.

Driving the news: The board will consider placing a 0.5% sales tax increase on this November ballot or delaying the vote until 2027.

The current 1% transit sales tax, approved by voters in 1975, generates about three-quarters of RTA's operating budget.

What they're saying: "The risk of the status quo is very clear. It's less service, and it's more stress and struggle for the people in our county, especially the riders," board member Jeffrey Sleasman said at a meeting last week.

"I think there is a very high risk of not doing anything as soon as possible."

The other side: Board president Paul Koomar has argued a November vote may be premature, suggesting RTA needs more time to build support within the business community.

What's next: If approved, the levy campaign would coincide with an already crowded November ballot.

If delayed, RTA will begin planning service cuts for 2027 while continuing to search for long-term funding.

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RTA sales tax increase may head to the ballot box

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