YOUNGSTOWN WRTA has fewer riders, more coins in fare box

Free-ride coupons expired earlier this year.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Ridership dropped but fare-box revenue at Western Reserve Transit Authority was up last month.
Capital improvements moved forward but the county is no closer to appointing a mobility manager, according to a report from James J. Ferraro, WRTA executive director.
Marianne Vaughn, WRTA secretary-treasurer, read Ferraro's report during a board meeting Thursday afternoon. Ferraro was at a seminar for transportation professionals in Columbus.
Ridership in June 2002 dropped to 103,186 from 111,203 in June 2001. Nevertheless, fare-box revenue was up 12 percent, Vaughn said.Revenues increased primarily because free-ride coupons from the Ameritech telephone directory, which were very popular with riders, expired in February, Vaughn said.
Progress continued on WRTA's capital improvement projects at Federal Station, she continued.
Restrooms were renovated, the interior of the building was painted, fence was installed, and work continued on a maintenance building addition. Plans to improve lighting at the maintenance and administration buildings also were advertised for bid, Vaughn said.
Pending appointment of a mobility manager, the county extended its contract with WRTA for transportation services through December, Vaughn said.
Mahoning County commissioners were expected months ago to appoint a mobility manager who would coordinate all transportation services in the county.
During the meeting, the board adopted resolutions authorizing the executive director to request proposals for cleaning services at Federal Station and authorizing him to solicit bids for security services at the station.
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