Join Clevelanders for Public Transit's call to action here

Cleveland’s West 25th Street is at a crossroads. A proposal to implement a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line has been met with significant opposition from local businesses who fear the removal of on-street parking will hurt their bottom line and bring "unfavorable characters" to the area. However, a close look at the data—and the city’s own history—reveals that this project is not a threat to local vitality, but a strategic investment that promises to deliver a new era of prosperity.

The Unspoken Truth About Transit Riders

The core of the opposition's argument is based on a fundamental misconception about who rides public transit. The data tells a different story. Public transit riders are a core component of the urban economy, with nearly 90% of all transit trips directly contributing to economic activity by connecting people to jobs, retail, and entertainment. A national study found that a $10 million investment in public transportation generates a $30 million gain in sales for local businesses, a clear illustration of a direct return on investment.

Furthermore, the economic profile of public transit riders is far from the negative stereotypes often portrayed:

• Over 71% of riders are employed.

• More than half (51%) hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

• A significant percentage (21%) come from households with an annual income of at least $100,000.

  
  

By providing a fast, reliable, and convenient service, the West 25th Street BRT would give businesses improved access to the over one million passengers who already use existing bus routes in the corridor annually. This shift moves a business model from one dependent on a limited number of on-street parking spaces to one that can attract a larger, more frequent, and economically diverse group of consumers from across the region.

The HealthLine: Cleveland's Own Blueprint for Success

The most powerful argument for the West 25th Street BRT is not theoretical—it’s the undeniable success of Cleveland’s own HealthLine. Since its launch in 2008 as a $200 million project, the BRT line on Euclid Avenue has delivered a staggering return on investment.

The project has spurred over $9.5 billion in new economic development and a 41.5% increase in multi-family property values along its corridor. This represents a return of over $190 in private investment for every dollar of public money spent. The HealthLine also led to the creation of over 13,000 jobs, 8,800 new residential units, and 23 million square feet of new development.

While the Healthline has suffered from recent ridership decline, this was not a failure of the BRT concept itself but largely a result of removing key “rail-like” features like off-board fare collection and failing to maintain high-frequency service. This offers a crucial lesson for the West 25th Street project: to achieve the same success as the HealthLine, the system must be fully implemented and maintained as a "full BRT".

Debunking the Opposition's Claims

Local opposition's main arguments against the BRT can be directly and powerfully refuted with data:

The claim that the loss of on-street parking is a fatal blow to businesses also overlooks the fact that a large, underutilized parking lot with over 100 empty spots already exists directly behind the businesses on West 25th Street, even during peak hours. The debate is not about parking versus no parking; it's a strategic choice between a limited, car-centric past and a vibrant, transit-oriented future.

The West 25th Street BRT is a generational opportunity to secure the long-term economic prosperity and livability of the corridor. Businesses should not just accept this project—they should actively support it, knowing that it’s a proven blueprint for success right here in their own city.

Our full report can be found here: https://www.allaboardohio.org/posts/full-report-the-strategic-case-for-bus-rapid-transit-on-west-25th-street-replicating-a-blueprint-f

[Cover photo courtesy of John Greenfield on Flickr]