People depend on the bus

Four out of 10 WRTA riders depend on the bus to get them to or from work.
That's reason enough for Youngstown voters to support renewal of two Western Reserve Transit Authority levies that will appear on Tuesday's ballot. A community doesn't cut the legs out from under working people who depend on mass transit.
But beyond that, any city must have a mass transit system and thousands of Youngstown-area residents -- young and old -- would be stranded without the WRTA.
Responding to needs
The WRTA has shown itself to be an organization that responds to the needs of its riders and the needs of the community. It has expanded service to give city residents greater access to jobs and shopping, and ridership increased 9 percent last year. It is preparing to play a role in the new transportation needs of downtown Youngstown now that the convocation center is open.
The WRTA levies appearing on the ballot will not increase taxes for property owners in the WRTA district. The 2-mill, 10-year renewal and 2-mill, four-year renewals provide slightly more than $2 million of the WRTA's $7.6 million annual budget.
If the levies are not renewed, the WRTA would have to make drastic cuts in service. Youngstown and its residents can't afford that.
We urge a yes vote on the WRTA renewals.