Apparently Clermont County runs express buses from its own park & rides to downtown Cincinnati:

 

http://ctc.clermontcountyohio.gov

Yep.  They are listed at stop E i beleive in gov't square

Interactive map and links with article...

 

Is new funding structure needed as Metro braces for cutbacks?

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/07/is-new-funding-structure-needed-as.html

 

The Cincinnati region’s primary transit operator, Metro, is citing that due to the ongoing recession and a drop in city tax revenue that less service is in the cards. Metro says that they are “bracing for extremely difficult decisions in the coming months,” and that they are working with several different entities analyzing options to remedy the situation.

 

This funding problem is one not unique to Cincinnati’s Metro as many major transit agencies across the nation are currently considering service reductions, fare increases or both to help address their budget deficits.

 

Loss of funding:

Nearly half of Metro’s $94.6 million operating budget comes from the allocated 3/10 of 1 percent of the city of Cincinnati’s earnings tax. This earnings tax is projected to be some $2 million to $3 million less than originally anticipated. “The exact decrease is not yet known, but Metro is working with the City on alternatives,” says Metro who anticipates a $2 million to $3 million funding reduction by 2010.

 

Another problem is that fare revenues are projected to be some $3 million to $5 million less than anticipated. These losses are attributed to the nearly 10 percent unemployment rate (fewer workers = fewer commutes) and recent actions by Cincinnati City Council that limited revenue growth by $600,000.

 

On top of all this, Metro has been notified that it will see a $137,000 funding reduction from the State of Ohio for elderly and disabled fare subsidies, and a $233,000 funding reduction from Hamilton County that would help provide service for people with disabilities.

 

What to do:

So far Metro has already done a number of things to help reduce costs including the restriction of non-essential travel; shortened call center hours; reduced printing transfers, system maps, bus schedules, brochures and newsletters; increased fares and pass prices; and even reduced service 3 percent in March and May.

 

But what else can be done that would preserve the service of essentially the sole transit system in a metropolitan region of 2 million plus people?

One of Metro's diesel-electric hybrid buses - image from Metro

 

It is already being seen that the vast majority of stimulus money going towards transportation projects is going towards roadway projects and not transit. It has also been seen that many view mass transit as a luxury item rather than a necessary component of a metropolitan area’s transportation network.

 

Metro is additionally challenged as the vast majority of its funding comes from one entity even though they serve a much larger area. A new regional transit authority was pitched by former councilman John Cranley as he was leaving office, and approved last October, but not much has happened since.

 

A regional funding structure would not only diversify Metro’s funding sources, but it would also create a shared funding responsibility amongst the communities served by Metro. At the same time a regional transit board should be created that would operate one single transit authority (including Nky). This would reduce overhead costs and make for a more streamlined authority that could experience economies of scale within the workplace. This structure would also result in a comprehensive system that could be managed at a regional level instead of pieced together at a more micro level.

As Living in Gin pointed out in a comment on UrbanCincy.com, we could greatly benefit from a unified regional transit & port authority.  Not only unifying the METRO and TANK systems and cutting overhead, but also giving them the authority over our three airports, highways and bridges, etc.  This authority would have the power to push for better transit options including light rail.

It would also eliminate the need to the stupid transfers and the stupid transfer bus to hop on TANK from Metro and vice-versa.

Cincinnati's Metro dispute could unveil deep potholes

Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Dan Monk

 

What started as a routine contract negotiation could erupt into a management controversy next week when the Metro bus system’s parent board meets to discuss the employment status of its CEO, Marilyn Shazor. At issue is whether the board of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) should spend upward of $100,000 to buy Shazor out of her employment agreement with the Chicago-based company that operates Metro under a 5-year-old contract.

 

Shazor, who became CEO last year, wants to work directly for SORTA. That can’t happen under the terms of Shazor’s employment agreement with Veolia Transportation Inc. Unable to resolve the dispute last month, SORTA’s board extended Veolia’s contract for two months. It’s now set to expire at the end of August.

 

The special board meeting comes at a time of growing discontent over the direction of SORTA, which has endured ridership declines amid budget woes and faces the potential loss of a $7 million a year contract with Cincinnati Public Schools. That would exacerbate the red ink in Metro’s $95 million operating budget, already projected to reach $14 million in losses by the end of 2010.

 

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/07/13/story3.html

Why the hell did they interview Cranley if he's not on council or on SORTA's board?

Sounds like they interviewed people both on the board and not!

Cincinnati Metro’s Shazor suspends CFO Bergh after dispute

Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Dan Monk

 

The chief financial officer for Cincinnati’s Metro bus system was suspended last week for reasons not disclosed by the transit agency – not even to the CFO himself.  “They’ve not been able to provide an answer,” said Theodore Bergh, who was notified of his suspension by e-mail late Friday, July 10.

 

Two days before that, Bergh said he was ordered by Metro CEO Marilyn Shazor to leave a capital budget meeting and go home after a dispute he declined to describe.  “I don’t know that the suspension was the result of that,” Bergh said. “They haven’t given me a reason.”  Metro spokeswoman Sallie Hilvers said Bergh is suspended with pay pending a review to be led by Shazor. Hilvers would not elaborate further.

 

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/07/20/story5.html

Metro fires CFO

 

Metro CEO Marilyn Shazor has fired the Cincinnati bus system’s chief financial officer, citing philosophical differences.  Shazor sent a termination letter to CFO Ted Bergh late Thursday, eight days after she ordered him out of a capital budget meeting. A member of Metro’s parent board said the dispute involved Bergh’s insistence that Metro spend more money to keep buses on the streets.

 

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/07/13/daily63.html

That doesn't sound legal. Watch for kick backs to her once a lawsuit is filed.

Stimulus money helping out cash-strapped Metro

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0804metrostimulus.aspx

 

As Cincinnati’s primary transit organization braces for what could be a $12 to $14 million budget shortfall for 2010, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is providing much needed money for capital projects that will keep Metro running.

 

One of the primary reasons behind the budget deficit for Metro is the declining earnings tax revenue for the City of Cincinnati which funds nearly half of Metro’s operating budget.  Officials at Metro attribute the budget shortfall to the ongoing recession and high unemployment numbers.

 

As a result, Metro has been forced to propose service reductions, defer $700,000 in capital replacement costs and reduce an additional $400,000 in internal costs just to balance the remaining 2009 budget.  In addition to these actions, officials at Metro say that stimulus money has “saved” service and provided $4.2 million for preventive maintenance.

 

Last week, Congressman Steve Driehaus (D, OH-1) announced another $823,000 for the cash-strapped transit agency that will be used to purchase three, forty-foot replacement biodiesel buses.

 

Congressman Driehaus stated that this is a smart investment in public transportation and that “this funding will help SORTA expand access to transportation for riders in greater Cincinnati while replacing aging equipment with new, environmentally friendly buses.”

 

Officials at Metro emphasize that while budget issues loom, capital projects are still needed and. fortunately, still maintained to a certain extent thanks to stimulus funding and other grants.  These capital expenditures also include money for a new CAD/AVL system and capitalized maintenance costs.

 

Metro is concerned about the 2010 budget warning that the one-time cost savings used in 2009 will not be available next year.  “Without new revenue, we will be forced to significantly reduce service in 2010 to balance the budget,” warns Metro CEO Marilyn Shazor.

 

Other transit systems across the nation are facing similar challenges with dozens of agencies facing service reductions, fare increases or even both.

 

Metro currently employees 925 people, most of whom are directly responsible for transit operations. Metro provides 22 million rides per year in the Cincinnati region which translates to over 13 million miles of annual travel.

Cincinnati Metro to cut Riverfest Express

 

The cash-strapped Metro bus system will not provide its annual express service to Cincinnati’s Riverfest celebration this Labor Day weekend, the transit operator said Wednesday.  Metro, in a news release, cited its budget gap this year, and an expected $14 million shortfall in 2010 as the reason for canceling its Riverfest Express. It said fares from the express service didn’t come close to covering the costs of operating it.

 

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/08/10/daily40.html

^Actually, I believe they cut the Riverfest Express due to tighter federal restrictions.  That's even what the cincinnatimetro twitter news feed stated.

Oh Dear god. That was the quickest and most convenient way into or out of Riverfest. I can't believe they'd cut something that greatly reduces congestion related to the event. It absolutely blows my mind. Could you imagine if WMATA did a similar thing for the presidential inauguration? This decision simply blows my mind. A potential logistical nightmare, so to speak.

Haha, I think it's kind of smart to cut the suburban line first.  Maybe it will get them to fork out a few more dollars to SORTA.  All you have to do is move from Fairfield to OTR and this won't be a problem. ;)

Ironically this is the one event where the Riverfront Transit Center is used to its full capacity.  I remember back in 2001 (or thereabouts), the year after FWW had opened but not the transit center, they parked an ungodly number of buses on the new 2nd St. for Riverfest.  It was literally a half mile of buses and quite a sight, but I stupidly didn't take my camera. 

When my family would go down to Riverfest we would always take the bus from Raymond Walters because parking was impossible, and traffic was terrible. All the busses seemed packed to capacity, so I always assumed these events made a lot of money for Metro? Oh well...

If these special shuttle buses are so popular, why not simply increase the fare in order to recoup Metro's costs for providing the service? Seems pretty short-sighted to eliminate the service altogether.

^Actually, I believe they cut the Riverfest Express due to tighter federal restrictions.  That's even what the cincinnatimetro twitter news feed stated.

 

I recall seeing something online about IndyGo canceling shuttles to the racetrack (for Brickyard 400) due to the same issue

>because parking was impossible

 

Predictably, I've found on-street parking spaces for Riverfest as close to the event as 7th St., and there are certainly spots over by City Hall. 

 

Back before the FWW rebuild, an I-75 ramp used to dump traffic onto 3rd St., when it went the other direction.  There were *ALWAYS* on-street spots on 3rd St., right across from the stadium, but the little garages on 3rd would wave in the minivans.  They charged $5+, the on-street spots -- actually closer to the stadium -- were free. 

 

The moral of the story is that an on-street spot doesn't really count as a full parking spot when counting an area's parking, since a lot of people can't parallel park or don't trust their car to sit out for 3 hours. 

 

^Actually, I believe they cut the Riverfest Express due to tighter federal restrictions. That's even what the cincinnatimetro twitter news feed stated.

 

I recall seeing something online about IndyGo canceling shuttles to the racetrack (for Brickyard 400) due to the same issue

 

I believe this is the same regulation that's keeping the Cincy schools from using more direct bus routing.  Public systems are allowed to compete with private charter businesses.

^Aren't, you mean.  Right?

 

Yes, the extra school routes are a far cry from what Metro offered when I was in high school--X routes for nearly every major route in the city.

UC*Metro deal renewed for 2009-10 school year

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/09/ucmetro-deal-renewed-for-2009-10-school.html

 

University of Cincinnati students, faculty, and staff have enjoyed free or discounted rides on Cincinnati’s Metro bus service since 2007. The original deal allowed anyone with a valid UC ID card (“Bearcat card”) to ride for free by simply showing his or her ID.

 

In 2008, some changes were made to the program, requiring students, faculty, and staff to obtain a free quarterly UC*Metro card. This change was made in order to prevent abuse to the program from people with invalid UC ID cards. Eventually, the terms of the program changed, requiring a small fee for these cards.

 

The UC*Metro deal has been renewed for the 2009-10 school year, with some additional changes:

 

• The passes will now cost $40 per quarter for students, and $120 per quarter for faculty and staff.
  
• Riders must now present both their UC*Metro card and a valid UC ID.
  
• The passes are now only valid for rides within Metro Zone 1. If travelling to an outer zone, the rider must pay the difference between the Zone 1 fare and the normally applicable fare.
  
• UC will contribute an additional $100,000 to Metro for this year’s program.
  

 

Although this year’s program is more expensive for both riders and the University, UC*Metro passes are still a good deal for UC students, faculty, and staff. Students can visit Metro’s website and use their trip planner, order your UC*Metro card, and start taking advantage of our city’s mass transit.

TANK looking for input as it moves to roll with leaner vehicles

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0929tanksurvey.aspx

By Randy Simes | Soapbox Cincinnati, September 29, 2009

 

The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) is looking to make some changes over the next several months  including replacing their current buses with smaller vehicles that will once again be able to traverse the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge.  TANK intends to introduce these smaller vehicles by spring of 2010.

 

In 2007, an 11-ton weight limit was enacted following a structural analysis from the University of Kentucky which banned TANK buses from using the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge due to the damage they caused to the 143-year-old river span.  The move was seen as a way to help extend the life of the bridge and minimize costly maintenance needed to keep the bridge safe for automotive and pedestrian passage.  The move also created a host of problems for TANK's bus system that relies heavily on connectivity across the river and into Cincinnati.

 

At the time, the central location and minimal traffic using the Roebling Suspension Bridge made for an ideal route for TANK buses.  As a result of the 11-ton weight limit some 23 routes, including the popular Southbank Shuttle, had to be moved to other nearby bridges like the Taylor-Southgate Bridge.  The new routes have added mileage that has not only slowed service times to and from Cincinnati, but has also increased fuel costs exponentially for the cash-strapped transit authority.

 

The survey appears to indicate a possible shift in the type of service that might exist between the three primary river cities.  Not only will buses become smaller and lighter, but the frequency of service may also be increasing with a heavier focus on out-of-town guests looking to navigate their way between Newport, Covington, and Cincinnati's many attractions without an automobile.

 

TANK is currently looking for input from the community to learn how to best implement the changes that will allow TANK buses to roll across the bridge once again.  Until Thursday, October 1, interested individuals are encouraged to take an online survey that will be used to help define the new service both in terms of its scope and functionality.

Metro receives $700k grant for Uptown Crossings transit hub

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/09/metro-receives-700k-grant-for-uptown.html

 

Representative Steve Driehaus (D-OH) has announced another large chunk of money for transportation projects in the Cincinnati region. Funding in the amount of $677,160 has been awarded to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) for a new transit hub in Uptown Cincinnati.

 

SORTA operates the largest transit service in the region, Metro, and will be using the nearly $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for their planned Uptown Crossing Project that will construct a new transit hub with restrooms and facilities for bus drivers, shelters, and a pavilion located near the Cincinnati Zoo.

 

Representative Driehaus believes strongly in the transit investment saying that, "as we work to improve our transportation infrastructure, we need to modernize transit facilities and expand access for riders. This funding will help SORTA move forward on this critically important project."

Metro looking for public input as potentially massive cuts loom

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/10/metro-looking-for-public-input-as.html

 

In light of the recent budget shortfalls, Metro is being forced to make tough decisions on operations for the region's primary transit service. The bus agency is now projecting a $16-plus million operating and capital budget shortfall in 2010 due to the ongoing recession which has resulted in lackluster income tax revenues for the city of Cincinnati - where Metro receives most of its funding.

 

With these new projections Metro officials are now considering a 20 percent service reduction or some other combination of service reductions and fare increases. The changes will pose major issues for the thousands of residents who use Metro on a daily basis for their travel needs. Acknowledging the potential severity of these cuts Metro is urging its customers to provide comments on the various options they are considering to balance the budget.

 

• Metro service: Up to 20% of service reduced
  
• Weekend service: Eliminate Saturday and/or Sunday service
  
• Base fare: Up to $0.50 increase (Zone 1, City of Cincinnati)
  
• Zone fare: Up to $0.25 increase in addition to base fare increase (Zone 2, Hamilton County)
  
• Transfer charge: Up to $0.25 increase
  
• Monthly passes: Increase monthly pass and Fare Deal sticker prices to reflect fare increases
  
• Zone 1 pass discount: Eliminate the $5 monthly pass discount

 

Metro is also considering two options that would impact service for those riders with disabilities utilizing Metro's paratransit service.

 

• ADA service only: Provide service only at the level required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (Access currently provides limited service to some "grandfathered" customers that goes beyond what the ADA requires)
  
• ADA maximum fare: Up to the ADA-allowable fare (twice Metro's fare for a comparable trip)

 

If you would like to have your thoughts heard on the matter you can do so in a variety of ways. On Friday, October 2 Metro will be hosting a public comment day at the Duke Energy Convention Center (rooms 237-238) from 7am to 7pm. Metro officials will be giving a brief presentation every hour on the hour, and the public is encouraged to come by at any point during the day to electronically record their comments for the public record.

 

If you're unable to stop by between 7am and 7pm on Friday, you can still share your comments with Metro by filling out an online comment form; sending an email to Metro; faxing your comments to (513) 632-9202; filling out a comment forms available on Metro buses, Government Square information booth, and the sales office in the Mercantile Building arcade; or by mailing your comments to Metro at 602 Main Street, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

 

All comments must be received by Oct. 2, 2009 to become part of the official public meeting record and will be considered by the Southwest Ohio Region Transit Authority (SORTA) when deciding on which option to choose.

Over half a million for a transit hub, $12 million in budget shortfalls.  Awesome.

Over half a million for a transit hub, $12 million in budget shortfalls. Awesome.

 

Would you prefer that we not receive federal aide for a transit hub?

 

I certainly did not say that.  But transit authorities aren't getting the *necessary* money to maintain adequate service.

METRO is unique in that its ridership fell, despite higher gasoline prices sans the sudden spike. Even when prices were above $2.50 and other cities were seeing stable or increasing transit ridership, METRO was declining.

 

I'll elaborate this on a future blog post, but I suspect the reason METRO is suffering is because,

1. It is too expensive. I don't take the bus because it costs more for me to take the bus from downtown to Xavier via the #4 then it does to drive and park for free at work. And the waiting times makes it impossible for me to take the bus on my lunch break when I want to go out.

2. It is too infrequent due to lower ridership.

3. There is one central hub -- downtown, that makes it really inconvenient for many people. It's faster to drive than to take the bus to downtown and around, or work with the confusing transfers in areas that are not hubs.

4. No rapid-transit -- including rail-based transit and bus-rapid transit.

I'd agree with all those points.  If they choose to raise the full fare to $2 per ride, it could be a death knell.  Bus transit in Chicago is $2, but it's reasonable because it's supplemented by rail in many ways.  In such a large city, it makes sense to pay the price to get closer to your destination.

Over half a million for a transit hub, $12 million in budget shortfalls. Awesome.

 

Would you prefer that we not receive federal aide for a transit hub?

 

 

Yes, actually, I for one would DEFINITELY prefer we NOT receive good money thrown after bad. What we NEED is a comprehensive change in the way that transit is prioritized, planned and funded at every level of government.

 

Think bigger.

Here is a fact of the day: COAST supports the Metro Moves plan, implemented in phases when there are accountable results. New bus hubs and BRT's for phase one, to see if ridership can be sustained.

METRO is unique in that its ridership fell, despite higher gasoline prices sans the sudden spike. Even when prices were above $2.50 and other cities were seeing stable or increasing transit ridership, METRO was declining.

 

I'll elaborate this on a future blog post, but I suspect the reason METRO is suffering is because,

1. It is too expensive. I don't take the bus because it costs more for me to take the bus from downtown to Xavier via the #4 then it does to drive and park for free at work. And the waiting times makes it impossible for me to take the bus on my lunch break when I want to go out.

2. It is too infrequent due to lower ridership.

3. There is one central hub -- downtown, that makes it really inconvenient for many people. It's faster to drive than to take the bus to downtown and around, or work with the confusing transfers in areas that are not hubs.

4. No rapid-transit -- including rail-based transit and bus-rapid transit.

 

I would add another one in there that is a bit more...ephemeral. Topography and urban fabric. Cincinnatians tend to live psychologically within a couple-mile radius of their neighborhood, where straying too far on even a main thoroughfare will take you deep into exotic territory that might be full of danger. Crossing the mill creek viaduct. Ending up in Madisonville. Wandering out of Wyoming. You get the point.

That may sound like humor, but it has a very real impact on your willingness to take risk.

Here is a fact of the day: COAST supports the Metro Moves plan, implemented in phases when there are accountable results. New bus hubs and BRT's for phase one, to see if ridership can be sustained.

 

Talk is cheap.  COAST opposed the Metro Moves plan back in 2002 when we actually were voting on the issue.  They led a deceiving campaign and were relentless in their opposition.  At this point we're decades away from ever achieving the Metro Moves plan thanks to them...and that's exactly what they wanted.  Don't be fooled, COAST is opposed to all transit and wants nothing more than roads, roads and more roads.

METRO is unique in that its ridership fell, despite higher gasoline prices sans the sudden spike. Even when prices were above $2.50 and other cities were seeing stable or increasing transit ridership, METRO was declining.

 

When gas prices were spiking the other year Metro was actually experiencing gains in ridership from what I remember.  It wasn't until the economy tanked that their ridership started to decline in the ways it has.

Also Metro's yearly numbers got inflated by their test of free or nearly so rides for UC students and faculty. I don't know if that might be a skewing effect as well.

 

  Anyone know the status or location of the proposed bus hub near the zoo?

^My understanding is that it is that parking lot area (not the huge one for the Zoo) on the east side of Vine across the street from the Zoo.

Metro proposes rate hike, service cut

Business Courier of Cincinnati, October 14, 2009

 

Cincinnati’s Metro transit system, facing a $16 million budget deficit in 2010, is proposing to cut service by 12 percent, while raising fares.  The bus system said earlier it would have to cut service by 20 percent, absent a fare hike, in order to balance the budget. It asked for public input before making the current proposal, which it said would save 55 operators' and mechanics' jobs, versus a 20 percent service cut.

 

Under the proposal, Zone 1 fare (inside Cincinnati city limits), would rise by 25 cents; Zone 2 fare (Hamilton County) would go up by 40 cents; and transfer charges would increase by 25 cents. The fare hikes would be reflected in monthly pass and Fare Deal sticker prices, and the Zone 1 $5 monthly pass discount would be eliminated. Metro’s Access paratransit service for people with disabilities would provide service only at the levels required by the Americans With Disabilities Act.

 

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/10/12/daily22.html

I saw an articulated metro bus that looked brand new last weekend when i was going south on reading to get on 75 south downtown. The sign said training or something like that on it. It looked very sharp..I didn't know metro had any articulated buses

Yeah, they store a few at the Queensgate garage, but they are not currently in circulation.  I believe they are still trying to train drivers on them, figure out the best routes for them (road engineering, turning radius also plays a role), etc.

Yeah, they store a few at the Queensgate garage, but they are not currently in circulation. I believe they are still trying to train drivers on them, figure out the best routes for them (road engineering, turning radius also plays a role), etc.

 

Yeah, a lot of the urban routes won't work for them.  I remember they were testing a few around downtown and they physically couldn't make many of the turns.  The highway routes will probably work nicely though.

^Would more likely pay more of the operating costs of the articulated buses, if they used them for job connection, express service.  Greater capacity to job centers would hopefully attract new riders.

Yeah, they store a few at the Queensgate garage, but they are not currently in circulation. I believe they are still trying to train drivers on them, figure out the best routes for them (road engineering, turning radius also plays a role), etc.

 

Yeah, a lot of the urban routes won't work for them. I remember they were testing a few around downtown and they physically couldn't make many of the turns. The highway routes will probably work nicely though.

 

Heh. I was by the Arnoff last week, and a bus driver in training was attempting to make a turn. He couldn't navigate the turn correctly and ran up on the curb. He couldn't back up because of traffic, so some pedestrians moved a mailbox back (I guess it isn't mounted to the sidewalk!) and motioned the guy to move forward and all that. When he completed the turn, a lot of pedestrians and people waiting for the bus started clapping :)

Cincinnati's regional transit authority proposes reduced service cuts, additional fare hikes

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/10/cincinnatis-regional-transit-authority.html

By Randy A. Simes | UrbanCincy, October 29, 2009

 

Earlier this month Metro officials looked for public input on how to balance their budget and deal with potentially massive service cuts and/or fare hikes. After weighing the public's input Metro officials have now come up with a proposal that will represent a 12 percent service reduction combined with fare increases to balance the budget that is facing a $16+ million shortfall.

 

“We listened to our customers, both at the public meeting on Oct. 2 and through surveys. Most were willing to accept a fare increase with a smaller service reduction, which is the option we are recommending,” said Marilyn Shazor, Metro’s CEO. “Our goal has been to preserve as much service as possible for our customers. But we're facing a $16 million shortfall next year and the money only stretches so far. We are required by law to have a balanced budget.”

 

The fare increases, proposed by Metro, are subject to Cincinnati City Council approval, but if passed, will prevent a larger 20 percent service reduction which will save 1 million rides annually and 55 full-time jobs. The new proposed fare increases would result in the following:

 

• Zone 1, base fare: $0.25 increase (Zone 1, City of Cincinnati)
  
• Zone 2 fare: $0.40 increase (Zone 2, Hamilton County)
  
• Transfer charge: $0.25 increase
  
• Monthly passes: Increase monthly pass and Fare Deal sticker prices to reflect fare increases
  
• Zone 1 pass discount: Eliminate the $5 monthly pass discount

 

Paratransit service would also be affected under the new proposal. Metro officials have not yet come to a conclusion, but the following options are on the table whether the fare increases are proposed or not.

 

• ADA service only: Provide service only at the level required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (Access currently provides limited service to some “grandfathered” customers that goes beyond what the ADA requires)
  
• ADA maximum fare: Increase fares to the ADA-allowable fare (twice Metro’s fare for a comparable trip)

I'd like to see the a raised earnings tax put before public referendum.  This is just horrible.

 

-----------

 

METRO REORGANIZES ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF DUE TO BUDGET; 32 SALARIED POSITIONS AFFECTED BEGINNING TODAY

http://www.go-metro.com/news/2009/nr38.html

 

CINCINNATI – Metro is facing a $16+ million operating and capital shortfall for 2010 due to the recession, requiring difficult budget decisions including service reductions and possible fare increases by the end of the year.

 

To address the budget crisis, Metro also is reorganizing its administrative staff to maximize productivity and efficiency. As a result, 32 salaried (non-union) employee positions are affected, beginning today.

 

Specifically, the following employment actions are being taken:

12 full-time salaried employees were notified that their jobs will no longer be funded; their last day of work is today

9 part-time positions will no longer be funded; 7 of those positions are currently filled and the employees are being notified

2 full-time employees are voluntarily retiring by the end of the year

1 employee has voluntarily moved from full-time to part-time

1 full-time position has been downgraded a pay level

7 open full-time positions have been eliminated

 

Due to the decrease in part-time positions, Metro’s bus information call center will no longer be open on Saturdays beginning in January, and the hours of the information booth at Government Square also will be shortened.

 

These salaried employment actions are being taken regardless of the level of service reduction Metro makes to balance the 2010 budget. Metro has recommended a 12% service reduction with a fare increase proposal that must be approved by Cincinnati City Council before Nov. 20. Without the fare increase, Metro service will be cut 20%, effective Dec. 27, 2009.

 

Cincinnati City Council’s approval of the fare increase (needed for the 12% service cut option) will save 55 union jobs for bus drivers and maintenance employees and almost 1 million rides for customers, compared to the 20% service reduction.

 

“We’ve been working for months on a balanced package to address the huge 2010 budget shortfall while having the least impact on our customers. We’ve reduced costs, deferred capital purchases, reorganized our administrative staff. The final actions will be the proposed fare increases, if approved, and a service reduction,” said Marilyn Shazor, Metro’s CEO. “This is a painful time for our customers and our employees. We hope that the new year will bring a turnaround in the economy that allows us to offer more to the community, not less.”

 

Budget background: Metro is facing a $16.8 million operating and capital shortfall in 2010 due to the recession.

 

About half of Metro’s budget comes from the City of Cincinnati’s earnings tax. The city currently projects a $6.6 million reduction in Metro’s 2010 revenue. Ridership and fare revenue are down significantly due to the recession. Funding from the State of Ohio is also down.

 

Metro has cut overhead expenses significantly for 2010, and layoffs of both union and salaried employees are part of the service reduction and budget implementation.

 

Metro is a non-profit public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 22 million rides per year in Greater Cincinnati.

http://209.51.133.155/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/all_aboard_ohio_releases_report_operation_sustain_transit/

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — November 17, 2009

Contact:

Ken Prendergast

All Aboard Ohio Executive Director

(216) 288-4883

[email protected]

 

All Aboard Ohio, which promotes better public transportation and passenger rail services, today announced a $158 million plan to reverse recent and planned cuts in bus and rail services to support greater access to jobs and opportunities while bolstering Ohio communities and employers. The nonprofit association pleaded with Ohio’s state and federal legislators to embrace its plan and restore Ohio’s public transportation systems before irreparable harm is done to them.

 

Download All Aboard Ohio’s “Operation: Sustain Transit!” plan at:

http://members.cox.net/corridorscampaign/Operation-Sustain%20Transit.pdf

 

This week, the state’s three largest transit systems announced another round in a series of service cuts, fare hikes or both. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (carries half of Ohio’s 250,000 daily transit riders), announced it will need to reduce or eliminate service on nearly 30 popular routes next year. Meanwhile, Cincinnati Metro recommended a 12 percent service reduction with a fare increase proposal. And, the Central Ohio Transit Authority in Columbus will increase fares by up to 26 percent in 2010. Other transit systems statewide are also following having to leave more riders at the curb.

 

“This is death by a thousand cuts,” said All Aboard Ohio President Bill Hutchison. “Each cut in service or increase in fares means that fewer Ohioans are able to reach jobs, health care, education or shopping. This isn’t just about the fate of essential transportation systems, it’s about the livelihood of communities, employers and people. This should be part of a plan to improve transportation overall. This is a long-running, worsening problem. We are pushing ourselves into becoming a third-rate state where hunger and poverty are getting extreme because people can't access jobs.”

 

The State of Ohio is one of the nation’s least generous when it comes to providing operating support to public transportation. According to the American Public Transportation Association, only 10 states support transit less than Ohio yet Ohio is the nation's 7th most populous state. Less than one percent of Ohio’s $3.8 billion annual transportation budget goes to public transit. Per capita, Indiana spends 3.6 times more than Ohio on transit, Michigan nearly 10 times more, and Pennsylvania than 33 times more, reports PolicyMatters Ohio.

 

“We may have disagreements about a few recent management decisions at some transit systems but that is not the reason why all of Ohio’s transit systems are in the same dire straits at the exact same time,” Hutchison said. “To focus on transit system management issues at this time is like arguing with your landlord about his choice of a painting contractor while your house is on fire. We have to put out the fire first.”

 

Unlike transit systems elsewhere in the nation which receive support from state governments to help operate extensive, affordable transit services for their citizens, Ohio transit systems are left to fend themselves. That’s especially true after Congress in the late 1990s axed all operating funding for transit systems in metro areas with populations greater than 250,000. Then, starting in 2001, Ohio elected officials slashed state funding for transit by 75 percent. Today, all transit agencies are dependent on municipal or county funding sources for nearly all of their non-passenger revenue.

 

All Aboard Ohio recommends that a healthier, more balanced approach is for Ohio transit systems to have their operating funding sources divided roughly equally from passenger fares, local taxes, state revenues and federal sources. Its $158 million "Operation: Sustain Transit" plan would begin to accomplish that goal, Hutchison said.

 

END

OK, I'm not yelling here. I'm just using really large, red letters to make this flier easier for you to find in the future......

 

SAVE PUBLIC TRANSIT!

Download the flier from:

http://members.cox.net/corridorscampaign/Save%20public%20transit%20flier.pdf

 

I need your help! Please print out this flier in large quantities and post them legally in visible places. Or just hand them out to people on your bus or train each day. If the driver asks you to stop, please comply. Thanks!