India Birdsong

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is still searching for ways to combat declining ridership.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) will refocus on serving lower-income riders first, while better integrating with other forms of transportation such as electric scooters and car-sharing services, according to India Birdsong, the agency's new CEO. Birdsong outlined a rough agenda for the agency during a speech Oct. 17 at the city's annual sustainability summit. It was her first public address to Northeast Ohioans since taking office in September.

As riders slid their fare cards and bustled through the turnstiles at Tower City Tuesday morning, a new face in town gave out "Hellos" and "Good mornings." The new Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority CEO India Birdsong was there to introduce herself to RTA commuters. RTA announced earlier this summer that Birdsong would take over as its CEO. Monday was her first day on the job.

India Birdsong will take over as leader of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority on Sep. 16 under a five-year contract unanimously approved by the board Tuesday. Birdsong, currently the chief operating officer for Nashville’s public transit agency, will receive an annual salary of $260,000 as RTA’s CEO and general manager. She steps into a job vacated by former general manager Joe Calabrese last September.

The Greater Cleveland RTA is entering into contract negotiations with India Birdsong to be its new CEO and general manager. The decision came on a unanimous vote from the transit board. Birdsong is currently the chief operating officer for Nashville's public transit system and previously worked for systems in Chicago and Philadelphia.