Too bad the stimulus funds for transit operating assistance were left out of the final package. Meanwhile funding for capital projects were left in -- but federal law requires that operating and capital funding cannot be exchanged or mixed. So as transit agencies can hire bricklayers and carpenters while taking possession of brand-new buses, they are forced to lay off drivers and mechanics while parking or retiring buses in their mid-life.

 

What a stupid country we are sometimes.

Glad to see that some sense, and services, are being restored....

________________

 

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/06/26/county-transit-in-line-for-400000-in-stimulus/

 

County transit in line for $400,000 in stimulus

Cindy Leise

 

ELYRIA — Lorain County Transit riders were thrilled with the news Thursday that $400,000 in federal money is available to stave off some of the $880,000 in planned cutbacks.

 

President Barack Obama signed an appropriations bill that will allow the county to use $400,000 — 10 percent of the $4 million in stimulus money the county got for transit — for operations.

 

..........

We tend to think of mass transit as mostly an urban need, but Ohio has 25 transit systems classified as rural.  See the list at:

 

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/divisions/transsysdev/transit/pages/ohiotransitagencies.aspx

 

So, I thought it might not be a bad thing to devote a thread to this.

 

SCAT begins journey into 21st century

 

Fostoria Review-Times

By Allison Wingate

Staff Writer

 

SCAT Executive Director Linda Good has been dreaming about bringing the transportation agency into the 21st century.

 

To do that, the agency needs technological upgrades and a new facility. And now that dream is about to become reality due to the agency receiving $2 million in federal stimulus monies.

 

The organization has been allocated $1 million toward the construction on land next to the Job and Family Service building on Township Road 151 in Tiffin. An additional $100,000 has been designated for the new building’s project design and development, including the employ of an architect and engineering firm.

 

More at:

http://www.reviewtimes.com/Issues/2009/Oct/29/ar_news_102909_story1.asp?d=102909_story1,2009,Oct,29&c=n

Wow. And I thought SORTA was the worst transit acronym in Ohio.

 

((Sorry, I know that's not constructive. But somebody had to say it.))

 

Wow. And I thought SORTA was the worst transit acronym in Ohio.

 

((Sorry, I know that's not constructive. But somebody had to say it.))

 

It's ok, I think we all were thinking along the same lines.

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!

Delaware bus system to test expanded hours in December

Friday nights, Saturdays to be added

Saturday,  November 28, 2009 9:48 PM

By Dana Wilson

 

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

DELAWARE, Ohio -- The Delaware Area Transit Agency will test expanded bus hours on Friday nights and Saturdays starting next weekend.

 

The public-transit system for Delaware County typically offers rides by appointment between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. During the first three weeks of December, buses will run until 10 p.m. on Fridays and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays.

 

Full story at:

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/11/28/delaware-bus-system-adding-hours.html?sid=101

Interesting op-ed from a Duluth, Minnesota paper.... it certainyl applies to rural Ohio...

 

Midwestern view: Bring transit to rural areas

By: Howard A. Learner, Duluth News Tribune

 

Rural transportation has traditionally meant cars, pickups, highways and Greyhounds.

 

While intercity buses are fewer and further between, that doesn’t change people’s needs to get from place to place. Most people have cars and trucks, but some elderly or disabled people can no longer drive; and with gas prices going up, some unemployed and lower-income people can no longer afford to drive much. In rural America, where the percentage of people older than 65 is expected to triple, mobility can be challenging, and more transportation alternatives are needed.

 

The upcoming federal transportation reauthorization legislation should provide room for new ideas and mobility solutions. Congress can help provide rural Americans with better access to government, medical services, education, jobs, and visits with friends and families.

 

Full op-ed at:

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/153501

Wednesday December 02, 2009  Lorain/Elyria, OH

 

County kills transit routes

Filed by Brad Dicken December 2nd, 2009 in Top Stories.

 

 

ELYRIA — The fixed-route runs of Lorain County Transit will end Dec. 31, according to county officials.

 

Lorain County commissioners announced Tuesday that all fixed routes by Lorain County Transit buses will stop effective Dec. 31. The county also will end its relationship with Greyhound, which will mean Dec. 31 will be the last time the bus line stops outside LCT’s Third Street offices in Elyria, said county Administrator Jim Cordes.

 

In the wake of voters rejecting a 0.5 percentage point sales tax hike last month, the county can no longer afford to funnel $500,000 per year to transit, Cordes said...

 

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/12/02/county-kills-transit-routes/

There will be more "transit deaths" in Ohio unless our elected officials in Columbus and Washington reverse a decade's worth of budget cuts they've made to transit ASAP!! To save transit in Ohio over the long-term, see All Aboard Ohio's "Operation: Sustain Transit" report at:

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

 

Also, please distribute this "SAVE TRANSIT" flier responsibly:

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

 

EDIT:  The 300,000 residents of Lorain County could also lose its Greyhound bus service, leaving only middle-of-the-night Amtrak service as the county's only link to the outside world. How many Lorain County residents might be affected??

 

In 2000, 4.23 percent of Sheffield Lake city households (isolating 400 residents) had no car, 8.37% in Elyria (isolating 4,600 residents), 11% in Lorain city (isolating 8,250 residents), and 12% in Oberlin (isolating 1,000 residents and several thousand college students many of whom are from out of state). Those are just some of the cities hurt. While perhaps 20,000 county residents will be isolated, tens of thousands more will affected in lesser ways, but still hurt.

 

Unless things change soon at the state and federal levels, there will be more Ohio counties that will lose all transit service. Guaranteed.

A friend of mine just sent this e-mail to me:

_____________

 

Of course, other Ohio public transit agencies are in serious trouble, too. GCRTA is going to drastically cut its service, and the same thing is happening elsewhere. I gave testimony at the public hearing on the GCRTA 2010 budget yesterday morning. Most of that testimony was based upon this report:

 

http://www.nacs.net/~georgez/qew1Q09.pdf

 

The report finds that things are even worse in Dayton and Toledo than they are in Cleveland. Even Franklin County lost more retail trade jobs than Cuyahoga County lost during the recession. The $19.79 billion in lost paychecks in Ohio have caused horrible plunges in the state and local government tax revenues on a statewide basis, including both the sales tax and income tax. Further, property tax delinquencies are soaring. So, the main funding base for ALL Ohio public transit agencies is plunging, putting ALL of them under severe stress. This catastrophic problem is by no means limited to Lorain.

I realize many of you don't read the Lorain County Transit thread. I encourage you to do so today as some news there is likely a harbinger of things to come for all Ohio counties:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=16502.msg444095#msg444095

I realize many of you don't read the Lorain County Transit thread. I encourage you to do so today as some news there is likely a harbinger of things to come for all Ohio counties:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=16502.msg444095#msg444095

OK, one more post from me, then you all can hash this around....

 

Lorain County residents isolated without transit:

http://members.cox.net/corridorscampaign/Lorain%20County%20-%20isolated%20without%20transit.pdf

OK, one more post from me, then you all can hash this around....

 

Lorain County residents isolated without transit:

http://members.cox.net/corridorscampaign/Lorain%20County%20-%20isolated%20without%20transit.pdf

Sure would suck to be one of those 19000 people. The state of our state's public transit funding is embarrassing. I consider it sad that I had to learn my state rep's name because I've had to write so often. I'd really like to go back to only thinking about her name at election time.

It's more than the 19,000. There are many more who have cars but they aren't reliably maintained or operable at all. And other households have just one car shared among multiple wage earners. This article (and the public comments that follow it) gets into some of those issues.....

 

Brakes put on LCT: County Commissioners ending bus service Jan. 1

Published: Thursday, December 3, 2009

By KELLY METZ

[email protected]

 

LORAIN — Mary Tench can no longer drive because of a muscle disorder, so she relies on the Lorain County Transit to get her to the grocery store, Social Security building and doctor's appointments. She takes the bus not because she can't find a ride, but because it helps her stay in control of her life and continue to be independent.

 

But as of Jan. 1, the transit system will no longer be funded by Lorain County Commissioners, and all fixed routes will be eliminated until the economy is in a better financial situation or until more revenue comes in, Lorain County Administrator Jim Cordes said. He said the cuts come as a result of the failure of the half-percent sales tax hike on the November ballot.

 

"I have no idea what I am going to do," Tench said with tears in her eyes as she stood in the near 40 degree weather at a bus stop outside Meridian Shopping Center at Fourth Street and Reid Avenue, Lorain. "My family is gone; my best friend just moved to take care of her mother. I am still in shock."

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/12/03/news/mj1973318.txt

This is just so wrong on many levels.  Next time the General Assembly debates transit funding in Ohio, Mary Tench ought to be brought in to testify and shame them into properly funding rail & transit.

Transit cuts pose huge challenge to its users

Filed by Cindy Leise December 3rd, 2009 in Top Stories.

 

ELYRIA — Don’t tell Susan Lilly or Charlissa Martin that the county can eliminate Lorain County Transit bus routes on Dec. 31 without hurting blue-collar workers.

 

Lilly, 46, of Lorain, typically takes six buses a day to get to her job making football helmets at Riddell Sports Group Inc. in Elyria...

...Transit driver Teresa Schmidt told frantic riders to call county commissioners Ted Kalo, Lori Kokoski and Betty Blair at 329-5000 to voice concerns.

 

Many people picked up the phone to complain, according to Kalo.

 

“The phones at my store and commissioner’s office have been ringing off the hook,” Kalo said. “There were 27 calls at my office...”

...Transit riders are expected to attend today’s meeting of the county commissioners, which begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Lorain County Administration building at Middle Avenue and Third Street.

 

Without help, the 13 new buses the county purchased earlier this year with $712,000 in federal stimulus money will be mothballed, according to Cordes.

 

The county’s share to operate Transit is about $500,000 — or about a tenth of the costs offset by federal and state assistance and fares — but the county just doesn’t have the relatively small portion of its share, Cordes said.

 

Transit is one of the few areas of discretionary spending that commissioners can cut in the wake of voters rejecting a

0.5 percent sales tax hike last month, Cordes said..."

 

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or [email protected].

 

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/12/03/transit-cuts-pose-huge-challenge-to-its-users/

Lorain County Transit shut down could cost 350 jobs

Published: Friday, December 4, 2009

By KELLY METZ

[email protected]

 

ELYRIA — Eliminating Lorain County Transit bus routes could result in roughly 300 residents losing their jobs because of lack of transportation and 50 LCT employees being laid off, Lorain County Commissioner Ted Kalo said yesterday during county budget hearings. The numbers were worked out by the Department of Job and Family Services.

 

The hearings come in the wake of the November defeat at the ballot boxes of the half-percent sales tax levy. Commissioners are telling department heads about $4 million in expenses needs to be pared in order to have a balanced 2010 budget.

 

While the ax fell first on LCT, which will lose its $500,000 funding from the county, Kalo and county Administrator Jim Cordes said they are hoping to maintain one or two fixed routes as well as the Dial-a-Ride Service program.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/12/04/news/mj1979957.txt

It'd be good if they could save a fixed line or two.  I would think at least one going down Broadway through Lorain, to rte 57, past Midway, and over to downtown Elyria.  That would connect most of the major employment areas and densest neighborhoods in the county.

I'm glad to see Oberlin College picked up the Oberlin-to-Cleveland Airport fixed-route bus service from LCT. This also provides a link from Cleveland (via the Red Line rapid transit) to Oberlin. See:

 

http://new.oberlin.edu/transportation/shuttles.dot

 

I wonder if the state is subsidizing this through the Board of Regents? Then again, at $10 per trip, perhaps this service isn't subsidized!!

I wonder if Oberlin might copy what OSU worked out with COTA... the Buck ID pass.  The cost is included in the student fees each student pays and those dollars go to COTA to help cover operating costs.

Good idea! LCT might include Lorain Community College, too. They have a large campus east of Lorain and north of Elyria.

I'm not sure if this is still the case, Oberlin College was assessing a student fee and students could ride LCT for free.

I know that LCCC was approached about doing the same arrangement but the cost to LCCC was too high.

'OUR VIEW' EDITORIAL: Blame for shutdown of LCT should be shared with state

Published: Friday, December 4, 2009

 

Ohio's pathetic lack of funding for public transit is to blame, along with the Lorain County Commissioners, for county residents losing bus service beginning Jan. 1.

 

Ohio ranks 40th in the nation in mass transit spending as a percentage of total state transportation expenditures. Per capita, Indiana spends 3.6 times more, Michigan nearly 10 times more and Pennsylvania more than 33 times more than Ohio does on public transit...

...Instead of a high-profile focus on building a passenger rail line between Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio leaders should come up with ways to properly fund the state's 59 public transit systems. That's especially true in Lorain County, where LCT is vitally needed by its most vulnerable citizens.

 

http://morningjournal.com/articles/2009/12/04/opinion/mj1979356.txt

 

 

What a horrible editorial. Ohio is not a Third World country, but I fear we are trying to emulate one. Why should we be forced into such decisions over what basic transportation should be available?

 

Why should intracity public transportation and intercity public transportation be forced to fight over less than 1 percent from ODOT's $3.8 billion budget?

 

Why should we suddenly be horrified over Ohio's treatment of intracity public transportation when intercity public transportation in Ohio has been neglected and decimated for decades? Don't believe it? Try to travel from Lorain or Elyria to Columbus or Dayton or Cincinnati without a car. See the report (and especially the maps) at:

http://members.cox.net/corridorscampaign/Ohio%20Transport%20Report%20Card%202009.pdf

 

This editorial, and especially the last paragraph, is why All Aboard Ohio wants to see local, state and federal leaders remedy the transit funding crisis AT THE SAME TIME as restoring lost intercity public transportation options, including in the Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati (3C) travel corridor. Ironically, many of the $115 million in state budget offsets which All Aboard Ohio has proposed to save urban public transit result from savings provided by 3C Corridor passenger rail service. See the report and the sources of the cost savings:

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

 

Whether Ohio develops intracity or intercity public transportation is not an either-or choice. We need both for a truly accessible Ohio, and more vibrant economy.

^Yeah, that last paragraph wasn't needed. The transit funding problems in this state have nothing to do with the 3C project and have been around a lot longer. While I don't think that intercity transportation is nearly as important as intracity transit, they both need to be funded. I don't like the implication that there would be money to spend on transit if not for the 3C project, that is just going to confuse the ignorant.

The Morning Journal (morningjournal.com), Serving Northern Ohio

 

News

 

Some LCT routes to be restored

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

 

By KELLY METZ

[email protected]

 

LORAIN — Some of the Lorain County Transit fixed routes will be fully restored thanks to $296,153 additional operating dollars received from the change shaken out of unused stimulus funding from transit authorities across the state, Congresswoman Betty Sutton and Lorain County Commissioner Ted Kalo confirmed yesterday.

 

Kalo heaved a sigh of relief when he sent the release stating Sutton and Gov. Ted Strickland gave an "urgent directive" last week to Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jolene Molitoris. Molitoris directed ODOT staff to survey all Ohio urban transit authorities to determine which ones would not be using their full operating budgets given through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)...

 

http://morningjournal.com/articles/2009/12/16/news/mj2037808.prt

 

 

My question is: which transit agencies weren't using these funds and why? I find this a bit confusing.

County’s transit plan reduces LCT to two routes

Filed by Cindy Leise December 31st, 2009 in Top Stories.

 

ELYRIA — Lorain County Transit could be down to two routes and two extra buses to serve the handicapped under a proposal being examined by the county.

 

Four of the current 12 routes would be retained and combined into two fixed routes...

 

LINK: http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/12/31/countys-transit-plan-reduces-lct-to-two-routes/

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/01/laketran_to_replace_antiquated.html

 

Laketran to replace antiquated bus fare boxes with automated system

By Karen Farkas, The Plain Dealer

January 04, 2010, 8:00AM

 

A casino chip, holy medal or store receipt may get you a free ride on a Laketran bus -- but not for long. Drivers even accepted personal checks as payment, a courtesy that ended Friday.

 

The Lake County transit agency will replace its antiquated fare boxes this summer with an automated system. Not only will operators know whether the correct fare was deposited, but they also won't have to punch 10-ride tickets because riders will swipe them in a machine.

 

 

Interesting, Laketran is currently losing about 50 grand a year from people not paying fare, so they are going to spend half a million dollars on new machines and hire a mechanic to maintain the new machines. I highly doubt that salary, payroll taxes, and benefits for a mechanic will be less than 50 grand a year, so essentially they're spending as much money as they'll save operating cost wise, while blowing over half a million in capital costs. Doesn't make any sense to me.

I think this article from last month explains things a little better. Looks like the savings might actually be in the $140,000 to $280,000 per year range. The $50,000 savings is Laketrans' conservative estimate. So at worst they probably break even in operating costs......

 

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2009/12/12/news/nh1816939.txt

 

Laketran to consider changing fareboxes

Published: Saturday, December 12, 2009

By Brandon C. Baker

[email protected]

 

...GFI, which sent representatives to Lake County in October to sell Jurkowski and the board members on the technology, estimates that its client transit systems experience a 10 percent to 20 percent increase in farebox revenues after using the Odyssey.

 

Jurkowski's strategy is to work with the Federal Transit Administration to amend the balances of Laketran's outstanding capital grants to help fund the $2.96 million purchase of the Odyssey boxes and service for their expected 12-year lives.

 

Laketran has nearly $2.3 million remaining from federal capital grants for the years between 2006 and 2009.

 

The system would be paid for by 80 percent federal funding, with Laketran picking up the remaining 20 percent locally.

 

That local match would amount to about $592,000 over 12 years. The process would be made easier by "piggybacking" the RTA's contract with GFI.

 

.....

Yeah, I emailed Laketran and Jessie Baginski their Director of Communications basically explained that the Plain Dealer got the numbers wrong. I just hadn't gotten around to posting that yet.

 

Hi Grumpy,

 

Thanks for your inquiry.  The numbers on this project are admittedly confusing at first glance – and we cannot control how the media chooses to interpret information.  We can only hope they can relay things clearly – and I know that both Karen Farkus with the PD and Brandon Baker with the News Herald do try, but sometimes edits change substance.

 

The money being used for the fareboxes is federal dollars that we cannot use for anything other than capital purchases and capitalized maintenance (which includes cost of mechanic, parts, card stock, etc.).

 

Of the $2.96 million for the project:

 

One time capital cost: $2 million:  Federal-$1.6 million; Local $400,00

 

Annual operating costs for 12 years: $960,000:  Federal $768,000; Local $192,000

 

So Laketran’s out of pocket over 12 years is $592,000.

 

Most systems that have made the switch realize increases in fare box recovery at 10-12%.  We chose to estimate conservatively and to look at what increase would we need to break even. 

 

Our  2009 farebox revenue will be just over $1.5 million, so the increase we would need to realize to offset that cost is about 3.8% (that would provide us with 2010 farebox revenue of $2.070,000, thereby covering our out-of-pocket cost to improve farebox receovery for the next 12 years).

 

I hope this information helps to clarify the news stories.  If not, feel free to ask more questions.  We do want you to feel confident in our decisions to improve our system both as a rider and a taxpayer.

 

Also, as all of our records are public, you may always request budget reports, briefing papers (which we prepare for our board meetings for every major project), or any other information you need.  You may also attend our board meeting to voice your opinion/concerns.  The next one is Monday, January 25 at 5 pm.

 

Jessie Baginski

 

Director of Communications

Laketran, Painesville, OH  44077

 

[email protected]

 

440-350-1008

It's interesting for me to note that there even is a "Laketran." Back in the 60's, Painesville was using small vans with backbreaking seating and rickety old buses from the 50's (!) (could have even been from the WWII era) as its "public transportation" system. Whatever problems Laketran is having, things have improved dramatically in the intervening years.

Laketran also is filling a large void left by the near-disappearance of Greyhound and other intercity bus operators in Ohio.

 

Ohio Public Transport Map Fall 1979:

http://members.cox.net/corridorscampaign/Ohio%20Public%20Transport%20Map%20Fall%201979.pdf

 

Ohio Public Transport Map Fall 2009:

http://members.cox.net/corridorscampaign/Ohio%20Public%20Transport%20Map%20Fall%202009.pdf

:?Thank you for the map. I am going to show some people, at a social agency, who have to find people jobs. Their biggest problem is getting them reliable public transportation. These is none except limited cab service.

Laketran joins group for aid

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

 

By Brandon C. Baker

[email protected]

 

Laketran has never been alone in its push for more state and federal support, but the formation of a new coalition proves that consonance more than ever.

 

Lake County's transit authority has signed on to be part of a Greater Cleveland ad hoc group called Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward! The coalition hopes to influence legislators to provide more funding to systems here while reinforcing the importance of public transportation to the state's work force, environment and economy.

 

Laketran joins the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Citizen Advisory Board, the Ohio Environmental Council, Policy Matters Ohio and six other regional organizations as a member.

 

"We were delighted to see Laketran sign on," said George Zeller, a Cleveland economic researcher and member of the RTA's Citizen Advisory Board. "The reason why we're having this coalition is that all of the transit agencies all over the state are having serious trouble. We're in this enormous recession because of the enormous number of jobs lost, and the main source of funding (for most Ohio transportation agencies) is sales tax."

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/01/05/news/nh1904211.txt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—January 14, 2010

Contact:

Amanda Woodrum

Researcher, Policy Matters Ohio

(614)221-4505

[email protected]

 

Kirt Conrad

Executive Director/CEO, Stark Area Regional Transit Authority

(330) 454-6132

[email protected]

…

 

Stark County – Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) joins coalition to “Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward!” SARTA board members voted to co-sign on to the coalition statement yesterday evening, during a regularly scheduled board session.

 

The reason for the SARTA board’s action is clear. Kirt Conrad, Executive Director of Stark Area Regional Transit Authority, stated “We were forced to make severe cuts in September that resulted in over 500 people losing their ride to work. If we don’t get more funding from the state soon, we’ll have to make more cuts. We don’t want to do that. People depend on us.”

 

This coalition of transportation, public policy, social service, and environmental organizations joined forces in a campaign to reverse the decline of public transportation around Ohio. These 16 organizations (see the list at end of press release -- more are being added) represent tens of thousands of members and clients statewide.

 

Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward! suggests initial steps to safeguard public transit users from further service cuts/fare increases and to save Ohio’s economy and environment from further decline. These include:

 

• Overturning the state constitutional prohibition on using Ohio gas tax revenues and motor vehicle fees for non-highway purposes, thereby freeing up that revenue to be used for mass transit.

• Using flexible transportation funding sources currently available in Ohio – such as gas taxes collected from off-road vehicles, farming and landscaping equipment, and revenue raised from vanity license plates – to fund mass transit.

• Wherever possible, and whenever not already doing so, the Ohio Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations should take advantage of flexible federal highway funds and use them for public transportation.

 

Public transit is heavily used in Ohio. More Ohioans travel on buses and trains within our metro areas each day than fly in and out of Ohio’s airports. More than 350,000 Ohioans each day use buses and trains to reach jobs, medical appointments, grocery stores, day care, pharmacies, schools, job training and other services. “For many people – including people with disabilities, seniors and low income individuals – public transit is the only way to get around,” said Donna P. McNamee, a Laketran Trustee (who is also transit dependent due to disability), and a member of ODOT’s 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force.

 

“Passenger vehicles are expensive to own, operate, and maintain,” stated Phil Cole of the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies, “often prohibitively expensive for the working poor. For the elderly and persons with a disability, driving may not be an option at all.”

 

“Successful and livable cities around the world offer a healthy mix of transportation choices,” said David Beach, director of the GreenCityBlueLake Institute. “It’s time to invest in transit and make Ohio cities more competitive and sustainable.”

 

The Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward! campaign was inaugurated in Greater Cleveland because it has as many public transit riders as all other Ohio transit agencies combined. However, the coalition pledges to fight for transit funding for all Ohio.

 

Despite the need for public transportation, Ohio transit agencies have been forced to slash transit services and raise fares. A decade ago, elimination of federal operating funding for public transit systems serving communities of more than 250,000 people forced states and local governments to make up for the federal cut. While most states dramatically increased support for public transit, the state of Ohio has cut funding by 75 percent since 2001.

 

Less than one percent of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s budget is spent on public transit. “In fact,” says Ken Prendergast, Executive Director of All Aboard Ohio, “the State of Ohio will spend more to cut the grass along its Interstates than for public transit operations.” That is unacceptable.

 

“Other states do better,” stated Amanda Woodrum, researcher at Policy Matters Ohio, “Ohio ranks 40th in the nation for relative commitment to public transit, despite the fact we are the seventh most populous state. Even Indiana spends three times more than Ohio, and Pennsylvania spends 33 times as much.”

 

Cuts to federal and state transit funding have forced Ohio transit agencies to rely on local sales, income and property taxes, which are difficult to procure and tumbling due to the economy. Because of this overdependence on local funding, all Ohio public transit agencies are in serious trouble.

 

State funding for SARTA in 2010 declined more than 80 percent from its already inadequate levels in 2001. Continued state funding cuts, at a time when local sales tax revenues from the flagging economy brought in 15 percent less revenues, more than $2 million less revenues than projected for SARTA in 2009, puts the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority in a downward spiral. In September, due to declines in expected revenues from the sales tax, SARTA was forced to cut services by 12 percent, lay off 17 employees, and end service on Sundays. However, fewer services forces transit riders to find other ways to get around, and that means fewer fares for SARTA. This transit death spiral is happening all across Ohio.

 

It is not an accident our public transit agencies are in crisis – it is the direct result of choices we Ohioans have made on how to spend our state transportation dollars. We can make better choices.

 

According to the American Public Transit Association, for every $1 invested in public transportation, $6 is generated in economic returns. Consider that:

 

1. Investments in public transit produce nearly 20% more jobs than equivalent expenditures in new roads or highways.

2. Public transportation can provide more affordable and accessible transportation. Owning, operating, and maintaining a passenger vehicle is expensive. For seniors, and people with disabilities, it may not be an option at all.

3. A reliable system of public transportation can reduce dependence on polluting fossil fuels largely imported from elsewhere. Nationally, public transportation allows us to save 900,000 automobile fill-ups each day, and saves 37 million metric tons of CO2 from being emitted, annually.

4. Transit-oriented development is more environmentally friendly, and can serve to reduce urban sprawl and revitalize our cities, by concentrating economic development. Currently, Ohio has an incoherent transportation system, putting schools, workplaces, shopping, health, and child-care centers all over the map, and leaving Ohioans dependent on passenger vehicles.

5. Public transportation reduces traffic congestion. Each year, public transportation saves hundreds of millions of hours in travel time nationally.

6. Public transit creates healthier communities, ultimately reducing air pollution, which disproportionately affects low income neighborhoods and communities of color; encouraging people to walk more; and, increasing access to jobs.

 

“Ohioans want and need a transportation alternative that includes safe, reliable and convenient public transportation services and we urge the Administration and legislators to move on the long term solution for transit now,” said Coby Williams, Legislative and Public Affairs Associate at the Ohio Environmental Council.

 

END

___________________

 

Co-signers:

• Stark Area Regional Transit Authority

• Laketran

• Ohio Public Transit Association

• Greater Cleveland RTA Citizen Advisory Board

• Alliance to Save Transit, Cincinnati

• GreenCityBlueLake Institute

• Ohio Empowerment Coalition and Contact Center

• Linking Employment, Abilities, and Potential (LEAP)

• Earth Day Coalition

• Ohio Apollo Alliance

• Policy Matters Ohio

• All Aboard Ohio

• Environment Ohio

• Ohio Environmental Council

• Bike, Walk Ohio!

• ClevelandBikes

 

To join us, sign our online petition at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/transOH/petition.html

 

Additional Resources:

Policy Matters Ohio’s transit funding report “Committing to Ohio’s Commuters: The Transit Ticket to the New Energy Economy” is found at http://www.policymattersohio.org/OhiosCommuters.htm

 

Complete information about the RTA’s budget situation is provided at: http://www.riderta.com/budgetchallenges/

 

Several revenue sources could be considered to address the current transit funding crisis as documented by All Aboard Ohio at: http://members.cox.net/corridorscampaign/Operation-Sustain%20Transit.pdf

 

The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force recommended in January 2009 that transit be provided a dedicated funding stream of $75 million annually in the initial year (increasing over a 6 year period to an amount representing 25% of the transit agencies’ operating costs plus 50% of the non-federal match for capital expenses). See: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/groups/tft/Pages/default.aspx

Laketran's financial situation looking up

Published: Sunday, January 24, 2010

 

By Brandon C. Baker

[email protected]

 

"Fragile" is a key word around Laketran these days.

 

General Manager Raymond Jurkowski has been using it so much because it accurately describes Laketran's financial situation this year and moving forward.

 

The uncertainty centers around Laketran's future sales tax receipts, the lack of a multiyear, federal transportation bill and that Laketran operates in a state that a study found to spend more annually on interstate grass cutting than public transit.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/01/24/news/nh1980712.txt

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/01/26/news/nh1999299.txt

 

Laketran puts cut services on meeting agenda

By Brandon C. Baker

 

Will weeknight and/or Saturday services return to Laketran?

 

Nobody can say for sure, but the possibility will be discussed in the near future.

 

LEAP is reaching out to a number of diverse stakeholders including local faith-based and community leaders, health care groups, the latino community, transit riders, and lorain community college students and reps, among others, to talk transit and build a local transit coalition in Lorain County. 

 

Please attend this meeting if you can!

 

LEAP forms LCT coalition: Grassroots effort garnering support for public transportation funding

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

 

By KELLY METZ

[email protected]

 

LORAIN — Officials with Linking Employment Abilities and Potential in Lorain County are trying to start a Lorain County Transit coalition of community members, residents and citizens who are affected by the loss of Lorain County Transit, Deborah Nebel, of LEAP, said.

 

“To me, it’s trying to bring the situation to the grassroots level and building local interest to educate the public and educate public policy makers on the need to invest in public transportation,” said Nebel, director of public policy.

 

The first organizational meeting for the new coalition is Thursday at 10 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 603 Washington Ave., Lorain.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/04/13/news/mj2589804.prt

Laketran backs legislation for emergency transit funds

 

By Brandon C. Baker

[email protected]

 

It is far from a surprise, but Laketran is in full support of legislation introduced this week that would provide $2 billion in emergency funding to transit systems across the country.

 

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/05/28/news/nh2561042.txt

 

Lorain County Commissioner Betty Blair quoted in the Wshington Post....

 

Funding rules fuel clash within mass transit world

 

By Alec MacGillis

Washington Post Staff Writer

Friday, June 11, 2010; A16

 

Like hundreds of other communities, Ohio's Lorain County, a blue-collar area west of Cleveland, used federal economic stimulus funds to buy equipment -- 13 buses for $713,000. There was just one problem: The county ran out of money to actually run the buses, and nearly shut down service before a last-minute intervention left it with just two routes.

 

"Two lines -- that's really sad for a county of almost 300,000 people," said County Commissioner Betty Blair. "This is the worst I've ever seen Lorain County Transit reduced to."

 

This is the disjointed landscape confronting public transit today. The $787 billion stimulus package included $8 billion for mass transit, but in keeping with longstanding rules, most of the money has to be used for capital investment. As a result, transit agencies are laying off workers, raising fares and slashing service to close yawning budget gaps.

 

Full story at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/10/AR2010061005535.html

I was in New Castle, PA on Saturday and was amazed to see all the buses operating in a city of 35,000 people and a county of 100,000. New Castle Area Transit Authority has half-hourly service on most routes Monday-Saturday, plus eight daily round trips to downtown Pittsburgh (50 miles away) on weekedays and several daily trips on Saturdays.

 

Lorain County (300,000 residents just 25 miles from downtown Cleveland) was a hiccup away from joining Trumbull County (250,000 residents, 50 miles from downtown Cleveland and 15 miles from Youngstown) in losing all transit service.

 

The difference? Pennsylvania provides $250 million for public transportation. Ohio provides $10 million. And Pennsylvania was hoping to provide double that amount until its latest state funding crisis.

State cuts hurt Laketran's plans

Published: Thursday, May 12, 2011

By Max Reinhart

[email protected]

 

Since significantly cutting its Saturday and weeknight services in April 2009, Laketran has worked to restore those services, even successfully returning an hour of weeknight service last October.

 

But the recent Ohio House of Representatives' approval of a state budget that calls for further cuts to public transportation makes returning more services unlikely in the near future.

 

Laketran General Manager Ray Jurkowski called the $3.57 million cut "whopping," especially because it would contribute to an 85 percent total reduction for public transit since 2000.

 

Read more at: http://news-herald.com/articles/2011/05/12/news/nh3995015.txt

SPARC rolling forward

Andy Ouriel

2:47 PM - January 16, 2012

 

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/sandusky/news/2012/jan/16/sparc-rolling-forward

 

SANDUSKY - Sandusky’s public transportation system statistically provided two rides for every Erie County resident in 2011.

 

Almost 146,000 people rode public transportation vehicles in 2011, according to Sandusky Transit System passenger data.

 

The amount represents a 42 percent gain in ridership compared to the 103,000 riders in 2010. The 2011 numbers reflect a huge gain from 87,000 riders in 2008.

 

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Old thread, I know.  But considering the frequency of this topic, I think it'd be silly to start a new thread.

SPARC is an awesome name.

Just going through old threads, and I'm surprised nothing has been posted here about SARTA's planned and funded BRT-lite bus route.

 

Also I believe this is one of Ohio's busiest transit systems per-capita, yet few post on it. I'm going to start to change that. ;)

A bus route intended to increase job opportunities for residents in New Carlisle, Mad River Twp. and Springfield has been put on hold while the Ohio Department of Transportation decides on a request for the proposal.

 

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-news/odot-delays-new-carlisle-to-springfield-bus-route-1372018.html