The bus rapid transit route known as the HealthLine has been in operation in Cleveland for ten years, with a measurably positive impact on the city, measured in development investment.
"Ten years ago, while the economy plummeted, a national first called the HealthLine began in October to take riders up and down Euclid Avenue," writes Grant Segall.
"Today, the Regional Transit Authority estimates that the $200 million invested in its HealthLine has spurred about $9.5 billion in development along the resurging Euclid Corridor, a remarkable return of $190 per dollar," explains Segall.
Local officials celebrated the 10th anniversary of the HealthLine's launch yesterday, on November 7, 2018.
"Fast, frequent and 24/7, the HealthLine runs from a revamped Public Square past converted condominiums, a swanky Nine complex, a chandelier-topped Playhouse Square, a Cleveland State Campus transformed from fortress to welcome mat, a renovated mansion newly hosting the Children’s Museum, a new University Hospitals Rainbow clinic, an ever-expanding Cleveland Clinic, a mushrooming University Circle and other spiffed-up sites before reaching Stokes/Windermere," writes Segall.
Planetizen has also noted the positive impact on the city, as well as the national significance of the HealthLine's model, on several occasions over the years. Here's what we found from our archives on those subjects:
FULL STORY: RTA says HealthLine had 10-year payback of $9.5 billion, ‘woke up’ Euclid Corridor
10 Years of Bus Rapid Transit in the United States
The first examples of bus rapid transit built int he United States, all within the last ten years, are improving speeds and outperforming ridership projections, according to analysis by Streetsblog USA.
HealthLine Pumps Life into Cleveland
Cleveland's bus rapid transit system, called the HealthLine, only opened in 2008, but it has already shown signs of "stimulating economic growth significantly" along Euclid Avenue.
BRT Boom in U.S.
A new study says that Los Angeles, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Eugene and Pittsburgh are leading the surge with the best bus rapid transit (BRT) systems in the nation.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research