Cleveland-area shoppers receive free ride on RTA with $15 grocery purchase

Cleveland, OH

With high gas prices, transportation to the grocery store shouldn't cost you more than what is in your cart! TOPS Markets is helping customers throughout Northeast Ohio ease costs by reintroducing its "Free Ride Home" program. TOPS has partnered with Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to offer free public transportation to those who shop at select TOPS Markets in Greater Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.

"We first introduced the "Free Ride Home" program about five years ago, but it has recently built considerable momentum with the increased costs at the pump," said Dennis Hanley, regional vice president, TOPS Markets. "Our customers can save both gas and money by partnering their grocery shopping with the efficiency of regional transit."

When customers spend at least $15 at a select TOPS location within Greater Cleveland or Cuyahoga County, they are eligible to receive free transportation home with RTA. At the checkout, customers simply need to request a "TOPS Circulator Pass" for a single ride cash fare. If the customer has spent the required $15 and uses their BONUSCARD, the $.75 for the ticket fare will be deducted automatically from their bill and they will receive a bus voucher.

"RTA is pleased to work with TOPS on this innovative program. TOPS is a leader locally in transit validation," Joe Calabrese, CEO and General Manager of RTA said. "This program increases store traffic, helps the customer, and increases awareness of the benefit of public transportation. It is a win-win-win situation. TOPS is a role model for other merchants to follow."

Since the program has been in existence, additional TOPS locations have been added to transit routes for increased customer convenience. Currently, ten TOPS Markets in Greater Cleveland and Cuyahoga County participate in the "Free Ride Home" program, including:

§ 22777 Rockside Road, Bedford

§ 16820 Harvard Avenue, Cleveland

§ 17400 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland

§ 18501 Neff Road, Cleveland

§ 22501 Shore Center Drive, Euclid

§ 21593 Lorain Road, Fairview Park

§ 4948 Turney Road, Garfield

§ 14100 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood

§ 26662 Brookpark Extension, North Olmstead

§ 1499 Columbia Road, Westlake

TOPS Markets, LLC, headquartered in Williamsville, NY is one of four retail-operating companies under Ahold USA and is a division of Giant Food Stores in Carlisle, PA. TOPS currently operates 119 TOPS Markets and 4 Martin's Super Food Stores. With nearly 16,000 associates, TOPS serves a three state market area. For more information about TOPS Markets or Martin's Super Food Stores, visit the companies' websites at www.topsmarkets.com or www.martinssuperfood.com.

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