Friday, March 30, 2007
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Western Reserve Transit Authority officials made cuts to service this week, but state lawmakers say some financial relief may be coming for the busing system.
State Sens. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-33rd, and Capri Cafaro of Hubbard, D-32nd, have announced that financial help may be headed to the busing system upon approval of Gov. Ted Strickland's budget.
According to Boccieri, Strickland is looking to increase public transit spending by 25 percent. The increased funding will assist the state's 24 urban and 36 rural transit systems.
Cafaro plans to introduce legislation which would establish a public transit funding study group, to determine what the state can do to produce steady revenue to meet the needs of local communities.
"Gov. Strickland's budget increases are a step in the right direction. However, Ohio still needs to explore a reliable funding source for public transit," Cafaro said.
Cutbacks
WRTA announced that several services would either be cut or scaled back as of Monday, including night bus service. Riders can currently use WRTA services until close to midnight. After the changes, all rider service will end around 6 p.m.
Service to Warren also is being eliminated. The buses will now travel as far as Liberty Township and Trumbull Avenue in Girard.
The Hillman Street bus route has been eliminated as well as the downtown trolley service. The cutbacks will also mean layoffs for 13 WRTA employees.
James Ferraro, WRTA's executive director, said he and members of the board feel bad for those individuals who have found jobs and are depending on the transportation services that are being cut. He has said the changes are necessary because of cuts in state and federal funding.
Ferraro agrees that the proposed increases in public transit spending are a step in the right direction but said the additional funds will likely not be enough to solve all of the funding problems.
He said the system lost about 750,000 in federal funds and the state currently gives the system about 200,000 -- meaning the state increases of 25 percent would likely be about 50,000.
Wait-and-see plan
"It looks like a 25 percent increase is being talked about, which will help us in the immediate future but not correct what we have seen lost over the last several years with 60 percent cuts," he said. "At least we are moving in the right direction and appreciate the support from our lawmakers."
Ferraro said WRTA officials will have to wait and see how much additional funding is received to determine what, if any, services will be restored.
Annie Gillam, wife of Councilman Artis Gillam, D-1st, spoke to the WRTA board of directors asking that they work with the community to find a solution to the funding problem. She said many city residents forced to travel to suburban areas for food, work and entertainment need the busing system.
Former board member Tom Anderson also addressed the board, saying he is sad to see services he worked to put in place being eliminated and asked if a group of concerned citizens could be of assistance.
"There ought to be a committee of people put together who care about public transportation, are concerned about public transportation," he said.
jgoodwin@vindy.com