WRTA receives grant for buses; fears lack of funds for match

By David Skolnick

The money is to be used to buy five small buses.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Western Reserve Transit Authority received a $302,076 federal grant for its dial-a-ride program, but unless it gets an influx of money, it won’t have the cash to pay the 20-percent local match, its executive director says.

The federal grant is to be used to buy five new 15- to 17-seat buses the agency uses to transport the elderly and disabled. As required by the federal government, WRTA has to offer the service to those who qualify, said James Ferraro, head of WRTA.

The area it must service is up to a half-mile farther than anywhere its regular buses travel, he said.

About 75 to 100 people use the service daily for medical appointments, to visit friends or relatives, and to shop, Ferraro said.

WRTA raised its fee for the program from $2 to $2.50 one way in June.

The agency has eight of the small buses in its fleet with most of them in need of replacement, Ferraro said.

“We’re Band-Aiding the vehicles right now,” he said. “It’s very expensive to maintain the vehicles.”

U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich announced the grant Tuesday from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“Many people rely upon public transportation, and it is critical that we continue to make our public transportation systems more efficient and accessible,” he said in a prepared statement.

WRTA plans to seek approval of a 0.25-percent Mahoning County sales tax on the November ballot. If the tax is approved, it would raise about $7 million a year for WRTA.

Youngstown has two property taxes that raise about $2.6 million annually for the agency. WRTA receives no funding from other communities or the county. If the tax passes, WRTA would eliminate the Youngstown taxes.

The county sales tax was rejected by more than 57 percent of voters in March. Some of those who opposed the measure were skeptical of WRTA’s need for such a large funding increase.

Because of state and federal funding reductions as well as increases in the price of gas, the agency has struggled financially, Ferraro said. That’s led to significant budget and service cuts in recent years, he said.

The agency had 26 routes three years ago and now has 12, most in Youngstown. If the tax fails, Ferraro said, the agency’s board would give serious consideration to shutting down.

skolnick@vindy.com