Posted November 29, 200519 yr 11/29/2005 Laketran fares to increase By: Michael Bellart [email protected] Rides will cost 25 to 33 percent more as of Jan. 1 Laketran trustees signed off on the transit authority's first fare increase in 20 years Monday, when the board approved Laketran's 2006 capital and operating budgets. With the budgets approved, Laketran will have filled in a $781,899 budget gap projected for next year. More at: http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15656569&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6
December 1, 200519 yr Author News-Herald Editorial 12/01/2005 Laketran's board has limited options And while the fares will change, Laketran's budget discipline won't. Laketran has enjoyed a long ride of financial discipline, paying for programs from consistent revenue sources without hikes in fares for riders. This is such a remarkable track record that when some Laketran officials have attended national conferences, colleagues in other cities were incredulous to learn Lake County's public transportation agency had not increased fares since 1986. More at: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15669948&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21846&rfi=6
January 26, 200619 yr Author SARTA ridership rises 39 percent as gas prices fall Thursday, January 26, 2006 BY Robert Wang REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER Gas prices have dropped significantly from $3 a gallon, but seats remain scarce on some public buses during rush hour. That was the case for anyone who boarded the Canton-bound Route 102 bus around 5:15 p.m. Wednesday. The bus left Massillon at 5 p.m. with three passengers. By the time it reached Whipple Avenue, it had nine passengers. Read more at: http://www.cantonrepository.com/index.php?Category=9&ID=265767&r=2
February 10, 200619 yr I replied to the paper and encouraged others to do so. That comment is completely ignorant. Not only is it a bitch slap to PT, but it's offensive to everyone that uses that system....the handicapped, the elderly, work commuters...etc. It implies 'welfare', 'poor', 'handout', 'loser', 'jobless'. SARTA seems like a well run agency, and is getting positive ridership to prove it. It is a system that Stark County residents should be proud of. That kind of biased reporting needs to be stopped, it is clearly that reporters personal opinion glaringly coming through. Where are the editors? Then again, the Canton Supository is a pretty crappy paper.
February 10, 200619 yr The reporter responds implying that his comments were meant to be sympathetic to the disadvantaged riders. Response from the reporter: Thanks for your comments. But in Stark County, according to the ridership survey, most people don't use the bus because of traffic, to read a book or to avoid polluting the air. Fifty-two percent of riders don't have vehicles, and most riders use SARTA to get to work. When I go on the bus system, most of the riders I interview don't have vehicles or their vehicle broke down. I do believe a lot of people do use SARTA to avoid paying higher gas prices. Also, 80 percent of riders earn less than $10 an hour. The bulk of SARTA riders are not high-income earners. But my article was not meant to convey that SARTA riders are people that society should look down upon, but that the tax does pay for thousands of people to get to work, who probably wouldn't have another mode of transportation. Chicago is different from Stark County. I lived in New York for six years, where nearly everyone used public transit. I probably could afford getting a car (or at least a used car), but it would been almost impossible to find cheap parking for it or to get through Manhattan traffic more quickly than the subway. But here, most SARTA riders take SARTA because they have to - not merely because it makes life easier.
February 10, 200619 yr Author I don't think the reporter gets (or answers) the point of the criticism. His intention may not have been to denigrate transit riders, but it had that net effect.
February 11, 200619 yr Also, 80 percent of riders earn less than $10 an hour. ...Which also includes most of us newspaper reporters! All the more reason for him to be more sensitive to more people. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 23, 200619 yr From the 4/17/06 Massillon Independent: SARTA seeks renewal of levy Monday, April 17, 2006 By DOUG STALEY [email protected] “Come ride with us,” the slogan shouts from the sides of buses, billboards and radio advertisements. Apparently, many people are listening. A surge in ridership is one of the selling points Stark Area Regional Transit Authority officials are emphasizing as they campaign for the renewal of a 0.25 percent sales tax on the May primary. Read More at http://www.indeonline.com/archive/left_archive.php?ID=6610&r=0
October 5, 200618 yr From the 10/1/06 Canton Repository: Bus fares might rise Sunday, October 1, 2006 BY Robert Wang REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER CANTON - Stark Area Regional Transit Authority riders may soon pay more to ride the bus if sales tax revenue continues to be less than the bus service expected. Because Stark County consumers spent less on taxable goods during a four-month stretch last year than the same period the year before, SARTA Executive Director Charles Odimgbe said his agency is considering a fare increase. “I know some people are not going to like it,” he said... Reach Repository writer Robert Wang at (330) 580-8327 or e-mail: [email protected] SARTA’S SALES TAX REVENUE Month/collected by state Year 2005/Year 2006 January $1,201,489 $1,251,347 February $761,065 $940,120 March $812,981 $887,207 April $1,023,755 $942,032 May $969,682 $919,890 June $975,734 $917,871 July $1,052,617 $1,050,039 August $905,704 N/A September $959,758 N/A October $864,201 November $854,622 December $905,726 Total $11,287,332 Source: Stark Area Regional Transit Authority http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=310886&r=0&Category=9
April 13, 200718 yr From the 1/25/07 Canton Repository: SARTA board meets, says little about fares BY ROBERT WANG REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER CANTON Stark Area Regional Transit Authority board members had little to say Wednesday about the agency’s proposed fare increases when the agency’s executive director Charles Odimgbe brought up the subject. Board President Charles DeGraff asked Odimgbe if SARTA officials would tell riders in public hearings in late January and late February about how much the costs of items like fuel and insurance had increased. Odimgbe said SARTA would explain what fares were going up and why... Reach Repository writer Robert Wang at (330) 580-8327 or e-mail: [email protected] http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=9&ID=332244&r=2&subCategoryID=
April 13, 200718 yr From the 1/31/07 Massillon Independent: SARTA considers first hike since ’95 By MATTHEW RINK [email protected] The Stark Area Regional Transit Authority wants to increase bus fares for the first time since 1995. SARTA officials say the fare increases are needed to offset increased expenses in bus repair and maintenance, fuel contracts and liability insurance... http://www.indeonline.com/index.php?ID=13558&r=2&Category=1
June 29, 200717 yr Both from the 3/11/07 Lima News: Is there a future for the RTA? Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 03.11.2007 LIMA — On a recent Thursday morning, Tiffany Raska escaped a driving wind and rain in the transfer station’s lobby. She had walked from her apartment near Town Square and was headed on the South Main bus to Lutheran Social Services. She pulled a portable CD player and headphones out of a plastic grocery bag for the trip. ... http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=36150 Bus service facing same pressures around the state Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 03.11.2007 MIDDLETOWN — In this steel town north of Cincinnati, the Middletown Transit System is enjoying record ridership with about 250,000 boardings a year. More people riding the bus is a good thing, when you’re in the bus business. Any gains made there, however, are eaten away by fuel and maintenance costs and slashed state funding. ... http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=36148
June 29, 200717 yr From the 3/12/07 Lima News: Despite cuts, RTA struggles with budget Bart Mills | [email protected] - 03.12.2007 LIMA — There are plenty of people who believe there is a need for public transportation in Allen County. And there is little question that eliminating rides would be a hardship on many riders. But the question that seems to come up more than any other is, can we afford it? Last week Allen County Regional Transit Authority Director Scott Stephenson presented his board members a plan for possible cuts to the authority’s bus routes and services. The proposed cuts are an effort to balance the agency’s budget, currently about $180,000 in deficit for the year. ... http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=36167
June 29, 200717 yr From the 3/21/07 Lima News: RTA board to make decision on cuts today Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 03.21.2007 LIMA — About 35 people turned out Tuesday to hear about proposed cuts to the local bus system, expected to be approved today by the Allen County Regional Transit Authority board. The board will meet today to consider eliminating Saturday service; folding the South Metcalf and South Pine and Edgewood Mall routes into other routes with fewer stops; extending the East Kibby Route to include the Eastgate shopping plaza, Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart and the OSU-Lima/Rhodes State campus; and reducing its para-transit service, Uplift. ... http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=36502
June 29, 200717 yr Link contains photos. From the 3/22/07 Lima News: RTA close to approving cuts Bart Mills | [email protected] - 03.22.2007 LIMA — Most people expected the Allen County Regional Transit Authority board to approve cuts to the county’s bus service during its Wednesday meeting. It didn’t, but came as close as possible. Board members voted unanimously to accept the cuts recommended last month by RTA Director Scott Stephenson. But the board stopped short of making the cuts final. Instead, it will wait until two public hearings have been held. Then, it will very likely approve the cuts at its April meeting. ... http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=36537
June 29, 200717 yr From the 4/4/07 Lima News: Riders upset about bus cuts Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 04.04.2007 LIMA — People who depend on the bus criticized on Tuesday changes the Allen County Regional Transit Authority plans to balance its budget. The two biggest changes — eliminating Saturday service and eliminating a portion of its curb-to-curb service for people with disabilities — received the most criticism during a public hearing on the changes. ... http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=36974
June 29, 200717 yr From the 4/13/07 Lima News: RTA’s hears final word on cuts Bart Mills | [email protected] - 04.13.2007 LIMA — The public had a last chance at commenting before proposed bus service cuts become real. Just four people showed up to take advantage of the opportunity. The Allen County Regional Transit Authority board hosted its second and final public hearing Thursday, outlining the proposed service cuts for city and county riders. The single public comment came from Marie Niece, whose muscular dystrophy forces her to use a wheelchair. She told the board members present that the cuts would rob her and people like her of their independence. ... http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=37291
June 29, 200717 yr From the 4/19/07 Lima News: RTA board approves cuts, saves Zone 2 routes Bart Mills | [email protected] - 04.19.2007 LIMA — After more than two months of discussion, the RTA has finalized cuts to the county’s bus service. The Allen County Regional Transit Authority board approved cuts to the county’s bus service during its Wednesday meeting. Board members voted unanimously to accept most of the cuts recommended in February by RTA Director Scott Stephenson, but managed to preserve service to disabled riders living outside the agency’s main service area. ... http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=37530
June 29, 200717 yr From the 6/20/07 Lima News: RTA dealing with result of cuts Bart Mills | [email protected] - 06.20.2007 LIMA — The RTA is already feeling the results of cuts they made earlier this year. Less than two months after cutting almost 30 percent of service to the county, the bus agency has seen a 19 percent decline in ridership. And while some of that can be attributed to typical summer lull, there’s little doubt the cuts have taken a toll, said Regional Transit Authority Director Scott Stephenson. ... http://www.limaohio.com/story.php?IDnum=39769
November 27, 200717 yr Cost of oil fuels Laketran hike Brandon C. Baker [email protected] 11/27/2007 Transit agency plans to raise fares 25 cents With ever-growing fuel costs and dwindling state and federal support, Laketran will look to its customers for financial relief. Anticipating a $784,000 deficit between operating expenses and revenue projections for 2008, Laketran officials expect to increase three major cash fares by 25 cents each starting April 1. More at: http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19060030&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6
January 16, 200817 yr SARTA union says no BY ROBERT WANG CANTON A bus strike still can happen. Bus drivers, mechanics and maintenance workers of the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority voted 102 to 37 Tuesday to reject the agency’s “final” offer on a new labor contract, union officials said... Reach Repository writer Robert Wang at (330) 580-8327 or e-mail: [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.cantonrep.com
February 28, 200817 yr Fuel costs force SARTA to cut back service UPDATE: 12:51 AM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 BY Robert Wang REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER CANTON-- An unexpected rise in the cost of fuel prompted the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority on Wednesday to cut service and pare back raises for nonunion staff. But the measures to shore up its beleaguered budget may become more drastic. The transit agency is considering a fare increase of 30 percent for a standard bus ride — less than a year after raising the fare 15 percent in May. Another idea on the table: Outsourcing the ride-by-appointment ProLine service for elderly and disabled riders to a private contractor. .. Reach Repository writer Robert Wang at (330) 580-8327 or e-mail: [email protected]
May 16, 200817 yr Stadium transit hub gets grant Friday, May 16, 2008 The Eastlake Stadium Transit Intermodal Facility received $923,780 to improve and expand the transportation hub, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown announced Thursday. The money will be used to construct a concourse area with commuter access to concession and restroom facilities and create a 213-space park-and-rid lot for Laketran commuters. More at: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/lake/1210926720191250.xml&coll=2 Laketran website: http://www.laketran.com/
May 16, 200817 yr Some background on Laketran from their website: An Overview of Laketran Laketran is Lake County’s Regional Transit Authority Laketran: Is primarily funded by a one-quarter percent sales tax. Other revenues include fare box revenues and state and federal funding. Currently provides transportation for almost one million passengers each year. Laketran's first fare increase in 20 years was in 2006. Prior to that fares had remained constant since 1986. In 2006, the fare increased 25 cents. Operates a fleet of 65 Dial-a-Ride buses and 37 motorcoach and low-floor buses. Uses compressed natural gas (CNG) and PuriNOx, a water-based diesel fuel technology developed by The Lubrizol Corporation in Lake County, to power its buses. Has 190 employees, ninety-five percent (95%) of those employees are directly involved in providing service as drivers, dispatchers, customer service representatives, mechanics and hostlers. Laketran’s Dial-a-Ride operations account for one-third (1/3) of the total ridership and approximately seventy percent (70%) of operating expenses; Fixed Route services account for two-thirds (2/3) of ridership and thirty percent (30%) of operating expenses. (2003)
May 16, 200817 yr Merged with Laketran fare increase thread. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 29, 200817 yr Cross-posted from RTA thread. From ODOT District 12... _______________ ODOT partners with local transit to implement local Bus-on-Shoulder program The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has partnered with local transit agencies, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and Laketran, to implement the Bus-on-Shoulder program along the highly traveled I-90 corridor in eastern Cuyahoga and portions of Lake County. Member of the media are invited to kick-off the implementation of the program with a special ride-along on Friday, May 30 at 2:15 p.m. An RTA coach will pick-up riders at promptly 2:15 p.m. at the RTA Main Office at 1240 W. 6th Street, Cleveland, Ohio. The Bus-on-Shoulder program has been implemented successfully in both Columbus and Cincinnati with the goal of fully utilizing the current capacity of the urban highway system and encouraging the use of public transit on high congestion corridors. RTA and Laketran buses will utilize the right shoulder of I-90 eastbound between E. 152nd Street and Babbit Road and I-90 westbound between Lloyd Road and Lakeshore Boulevard and E. 55th Street and South Marginal. Buses are encouraged to utilize the wide shoulder in these areas during congested periods and may not exceed the speed of traffic by more than 15 miles-per-hour and may not exceed speeds of over 35 miles-per-hour. Only RTA and Laketran buses and emergency vehicles will be permitted to use the shoulder; buses will yield to emergency vehicles. Bus operators who drive this corridor are being trained to safely use the shoulders. "We cannot build our way out of congestion," said Bonita Teeuwen, ODOT District 12 Deputy Director. "This program truly utilizes the capacity of our existing system while reducing congestion and increasing safety on our highways." "We really pleased to have a part in this initiative as we believe that it will allow us to continue to provide first class service to our nearly 58 million customers," said Joe Calabrese, RTA CEO & General Manager. ### "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 19, 200816 yr http://www.chroniclet.com/2008/06/19/transit-cuts-hurt-those-with-no-voice/ Final Lorain County Transit hearing 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Lorain Public Library (main branch) Transit cuts ‘hurt those with no voice’ Brad Dicken | The Chronicle-Telegram ELYRIA — Lorain County Transit riders aren’t happy about $500,000 worth of cuts the agency is planning to make in the coming months. ........ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 20, 200816 yr 06/20/2008 Try to better promote bus ridership before making more cuts to LCT service Despite carrying an additional 3,000 passengers since January, a cash-strapped Lorain County Transit bus system plans to trim service, eliminate two routes and end Sunday service in order to balance its budget. What a terrible shame... Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use Copyright 2008, Morning Journal http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19789310&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46368&rfi=6
June 21, 200816 yr 06/21/2008 LCT cuts have deep impact on its riders ANTHONY RIOS , Morning Journal Writer http://video.ap.org/v/Legacy.aspx?mk=en-ap&g=8fd8e4aa-9383-4c89-a2a8-84b0f309f9dc&f=OHALL&t=m1193151409664fg=tool&partner=en-ap LORAIN -- Riders of the Lorain County Transit were in an uproar discussing changes that are going to be made to the routes in the future. Robin Bulan, director of LCT, had a public meeting yesterday at the Lorain Public Library. Close to 50 people turned out with the main consensus being nobody wants service reductions... Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use ©The Morning Journal 2008 http://www.morningjournal.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=1699&dept_id=46371&newsid=19792208
June 21, 200816 yr ''Everything always revolves the money. I wish they would have gave us the option to pay, because I would have. The LCT is my car, and now they want to take it away.'' powerful stuff!
June 22, 200816 yr poor people are hit the hardest as usual, but at least lct knew enough to cut a route in avon too to even it up or they would have really gotten an earful.
September 6, 200816 yr News Emergency funds may help LCT stay afloat By JEFF GREEN [email protected] Published: Saturday, September 6, 2008 2:13 AM EDT CLEVELAND — The Lorain County Transit and other area transit systems may soon gain some emergency-assistance funding from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency. The agency, prompted by Gov. Ted Strickland, is looking to reallocate $11.2 million to six transits in northern Ohio, $645,431 of which is slated for LCT, pending approval from NOACA’s board when they meet Friday... Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2008/09/06/news/doc48c1f4029554d460037595.prt
October 31, 200816 yr Funding for LCT again in jeopardy Friday, October 31, 2008 7:30 AM EDT By JEFF GREEN [email protected] ELYRIA — Lorain County Transit might again face a $500,000 funding deficit due to complications with an infusion of money received by the Northeast Ohio Area Coordinating Agency last month. NOACA granted the county $645,000 to fund LCT's operating costs for the rest of the year. It would also finance the Greater Cleveland RTA connection in Avon Lake... Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2008/10/31/news/mj183927.txt
October 31, 200816 yr Cordes may be right. RTA may "get away with it" because they proposed larger fare increases and service reductions than what might have occurred if the CMAQ funding hadn't been made available. So RTA may be "subsidizing fares" to prevent more air pollution from affecting the region's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).... CMAQ Eligible Projects and Programs http://www.swmpc.org/downloads/cmaq_eligible_projects_and_programs.pdf Note especially: E. Transit Improvements Many transit projects are eligible for CMAQ funds. The general guideline for determining eligibility is whether the project increases capacity and would likely result in an increase in transit ridership and a potential reduction in congestion. As with other types of CMAQ projects, there should be a quantified estimate of the project's emissions benefits accompanying the proposal. The FTA administers most transit projects. Once the FTA determines a project eligible, CMAQ funds will be transferred from the FHWA to the FTA, and the project will be administered according to the requirements of the FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Grant Program. Certain types of transit projects for which the FTA lacks statutory authority, such as diesel retrofit equipment for public school bus fleets, are administered by the FHWA. 1. Facilities - New transit facilities (e.g., lines, stations, terminals, transfer facilities) are eligible if they are associated with new or enhanced mass transit service. Routine maintenance or rehabilitation of existing facilities is not eligible, as it does not reduce emissions. However, rehabilitation of a facility may be eligible if the vast majority of the project involves physical improvements that will increase capacity. In such cases there should be supporting documentation showing an increase in transit ridership that is more than minimal. If the vast majority of the project involves capacity enhancements, other elements involving refurbishment and replacement-in-kind also are eligible. 2. Vehicles and Equipment - New transit vehicles (bus, rail, or van) to expand the fleet or replace existing vehicles are eligible. Transit agencies are encouraged to purchase vehicles that are most cost-effective in reducing emissions. Diesel engine retrofits, such as replacement engines and exhaust after-treatment devices, are eligible if certified or verified by the EPA or California Air Resources Board (CARB). Routine preventive maintenance for vehicles is not eligible as it only returns the vehicles to baseline conditions. Besides diesel engine retrofits, other transit equipment may be eligible if it represents a major system-wide upgrade that will significantly improve speed or reliability of transit service, such as advanced signal and communications systems. 3. Fuel - Fuel, whether conventional or alternative fuel, is an eligible expense only as part of a project providing operating assistance for new or expanded transit service under the CMAQ program. This includes fuels and fuel additives considered diesel retrofit technologies by the EPA or CARB. See Section VII.D.3 for statutory exceptions for certain states regarding the purchase of alternative fuel with CMAQ funds. 4. Operating Assistance - Operating assistance to introduce new transit service or expand existing service is eligible. It may be a new type of service, service to a new geographic area, or an expansion of existing service providing additional hours of service or reduced headways. For a service expansion, only the operating costs of the new increment of service are eligible. Eligible operating costs include labor, fuel, maintenance, and related expenses. Operating assistance may be CMAQ-funded for a maximum of three years. The intent is to support the demonstration of new services that may prove successful enough to sustain with other funding sources, and to free up CMAQ funds to generate new air quality benefits. It is not appropriate to use CMAQ funds for operating assistance for New Start projects because these projects require dedicated, stable sources of funding for their operation. Relying on CMAQ funds for the initial operating costs of these projects is contrary to the need to establish permanent State and local funding sources to cover operating and maintenance costs. 5. Transit Fare Subsidies - CMAQ funds may be used to subsidize regular transit fares in an effort to prevent the NAAQS from being exceeded, but only under the following conditions: The reduced or free fare must be part of a comprehensive area-wide program to prevent the NAAQS from being exceeded. "Ozone Action" programs vary in scope around the country, but they generally include actions that individuals and employers can take and they are aimed at all major sources of air pollution, not just transportation. The subsidized fare must be available to the general public and may not be limited to specific groups. It may only be offered during periods of elevated pollution when the threat of exceeding the NAAQS is greatest; it is not intended for the entire high-ozone season. Finally, the fare subsidy proposal must demonstrate that the responsible local agencies will combine the reduced or free fare with a robust marketing program to inform SOV drivers of other transportation options. The subsidy is not subject to the three-year limit for operating assistance. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 31, 200816 yr SARTA eyes Belden Village Transit Center By Robert Wang, The Repository, October 30, 2008 CANTON After years of complaints that public bus riders were leaving behind trash and urinating on properties off Higbee Avenue NW in Jackson Township, the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority says it plans to seriously look at building a Belden Village Transit Center...
November 6, 200816 yr Avon Lake route back on track after LCT maneuvers funding Thursday, November 6, 2008 6:54 AM EST By JEFF GREEN [email protected] ELYRIA — Lorain County Transit will no longer have to worry how it can use $645,000 in federal air quality money to erase its projected $485,000 funding deficit, according to County Administrator Jim Cordes. The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency gave the $645,000 to fund LCT's operating costs for the rest of the year, but complications arose last week when it was learned the federal money is designated for purchasing new buses and building park and ride lots. Cordes said by working with NOACA and the Ohio Department of Transportation, money was moved around through different accounts so that the funds can be used. URL: http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2008/11/06/news/mj208504.prt
November 6, 200816 yr Cordes said by working with NOACA and the Ohio Department of Transportation, money was moved around through different accounts so that the funds can be used. "We're shifting a lot of funding pools around to get maximum utilization of the money," he said. So they laundered it?? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 7, 200816 yr That was a joke. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 8, 200916 yr Most of this will probably go to the Lorain County Transportation Center in Elyria (former New York Central Depot). It cannot be used for transit operating costs, despite what the yahoos say in the commentary after this article.... http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/03/06/news/mj709020.txt Cities get $4 million in funding for transit Friday, March 6, 2009 7:37 AM EST By RICHARD PAYERCHIN [email protected] LORAIN — More than $4 million will help pay for new transportation projects for Lorain, Elyria and Sandusky, according to an announcement from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown. The money comes as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will be released to the cities by the Federal Transit Administration. Lorain and Elyria will get more than $3.62 million for projects that will originate in those cities but that could affect the entire county, Brown spokeswoman Meghan Dubyak said. As for Lorain County Transit projects, exact details were unclear last night how the money would be used because the Lorain County Commission was awaiting official confirmation, Lorain County Administrator Jim Cordes said. ............ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 17, 200916 yr Hopefully there will be more news and news articles about this topic in the future. But for now I just have one. And....it's good news!
March 17, 200916 yr Sandusky Transit System offers $1 SPARC route Saturday, March 14, 2009 1:14 AM EDT By RICHARD PAYERCHIN http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/03/14/news/erie_huron/mj749450.txt SANDUSKY — People needing a lift will get it with a new program starting Monday by the Sandusky Transit System. The new Sandusky Perkins Area Ride Connection, known as SPARC, will provide a new route designed to get people to work, shopping and entertainment destinations...
March 18, 200916 yr I'd say its time for yet another letter to my state legislators about funding public transit. http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2009/03/18/news/nh632644.txt Changes in transit for Laketran Wednesday, March 18, 2009 1:06 AM EDT By Brandon C. Baker [email protected]
March 19, 200916 yr LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARINGS Due to the proposed continuing reduction in state operating assistance funding and slumping local sales tax LAKETRAN, the public transit authority for Lake County, will hold four public hearings to describe and receive input on a proposal for service reduction/eliminations effective July 1, 2009 and to increase fares on July 1, 2009 and on July 1, 2010. The service reductions/eliminations under consideration are: No service on all federally observed holidays; No Saturday service; No weekday evening service after 7:00 pm; and Elimination of the following Cleveland Express departures: 5:35 am, Route 14 Westbound 8:55 am, Route 12 Westbound 6:00 pm, Route 12 Eastbound The proposed fares : Current fare is followed by the proposed 7/1/09 fare, then the proposed 7/1/2010 fare Commuter Express Regular Fare: $3.00, $4.00, $5.00 11 Ride Ticket: $30.00, n/a, n/a 10 Ride Ticket: n/a, $40.00, $50.00 Monthly Pass: $110.00, $145.00, $180.00 11 Ride Student Ticket: $12.50, n/a, n/a 10 Ride Student Ticket: n/a, $15.00, $20.00 Local Fixed Route Regular Fare: $1.25, $2.00, $2.50 11 Ride Ticket: $12.50, n/a, n/a 10 Ride Ticket: n/a, $20.00, $25.00 Senior/Disabled/Child: $0.60, $1.00, $1.25 11 Ride Ticket S/D/C: $6.00, n/a, n/a 10 Ride Ticket S/D/C: n/a, $10.00, $12.50 Dial-a-Ride In-County* Regular Fare: $6.00, $13.00, $15.00 11 Ride Ticket: $60.00, n/a, n/a 10 Ride Ticket: n/a, $130.00, $150.00 Senior/Disabled/Child: $1.50, $4.00, $5.00 11 Ride Ticket S/D/C: $15.00,n/a, n/a 10 Ride Ticket S/D/C: n/a, $40.00, $50.00 *Out-of-County Dial-a-Ride fares are twice the in-county fare. Four Public Hearings will be held: Monday, March 30, 2009 – 7:00 pm Perry Public Library 3753 Main Street, Perry Tuesday, March 31, 2009 – 7:00 pm Mentor Public Library 8215 Mentor Avenue, Mentor Wednesday, April 1, 2009 – 7:00 pm Wickliffe Civic Center 900 Worden Road, Wickliffe Thursday, April 2, 2009 – 7:00 pm Morley Library 184 Phelps Avenue, Painesville Written comments will be accepted up to April 17, 2009. Comments can be sent to LAKETRAN, Attn: Public Comment 555 Lakeshore Blvd. Painesville Twp., OH 44077, or [email protected]. All comments must include writer’s name, address and phone number. RAYMOND JURKOWSKI General Manager
March 19, 200916 yr Wow, those are HUGE increases! Be sure to thank your state elected officials for ignoring transit, and when they do pay attention to it, they cut funding for it. I'm sure some will blame Laketran. But that's as intelligent as killing some women in Salem for being witches. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 19, 200916 yr Wow, those are HUGE increases! I do believe I'm going to have to switch back to RTA. Laketran and RTA both go within a mile of my house, but it was nice taking Laketran and actually getting a seat most days. A 25% rate hike this summer and then 20% on top of that in 2010 is going to kill ridership on the commuter express busses. At $5 each way I'd be about even buying a really cheap car, driving in, and paying for parking everyday if RTA weren't an alternative for me. Riders were already organizing car pools on the bus this morning. Be sure to thank your state elected officials for ignoring transit, and when they do pay attention to it, they cut funding for it. I'm sure some will blame Laketran. But that's as intelligent as killing some women in Salem for being witches. My state elected officials have long since been notified of my feelings in regard to transit funding. They've been reminded this week as well how I feel about this. The other big problem is a big portion of their funding comes from sales tax, and no one is spending money right now because of the economy. I'm debating whether its worth my time to go to the public meeting in Wickliffe. It would probably be so frustrating to listen to the ignorance. The only reason I'm thinking of going is to see if my elected representative shows up so I can tell her what I think of her representation of my interests in Columbus.
March 23, 200916 yr Who will take a hike? Laketran riders express dismay over proposed fare increase By Nick Carrabine and Cassandra Shofar
May 21, 200916 yr Lorain County Transit will cut both connections to the Cleveland RTA system with these cuts - Oberlin to Hopkins route gone, LCT to Westlake RTA Park-n-Ride also gone. Also, RTA routes in Avon Lake will be gone. Not a smart regional move - too bad transit is a county-by-county endeavor rather than truly regional... ------------------------------------- County slashes LCT budget, routes Thursday, May 21, 2009 Post edited 9-4-09 to comply with terms of use For more on this story, see: URL: http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/05/21/news/doc4a157fb20a7c3680941634.prt © 2009 morningjournal.com, a Journal Register Property
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