Economy, savings, convenience put WRTA on a record roll

Fueled by a revved-up economy and quickening awareness of the many benefits of public transportation, the Youngstown-based Western Reserve Transit Authority is on a roll.

Ridership in 2014 hit a record high of 1,551,498, James Ferraro, longtime executive director of the regional bus system, exuberantly reported last week. Ferraro has good reason for exuberance. More and more Americans and Mahoning Valley residents are discovering the economic, environmental and quality-of-life perks of leaving the car in the garage and relying more heavily on urban mass transit. As a result, we look for WRTA’s upward shift in ridership to accelerate throughout 2015.

In looking for reasons behind the growth spurt, one certainly must factor in the slow but steady economic recovery in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, where unemployment dropped from 7.4 percent in December 2013 to 5.1 percent in December 2014.

But whether one is newly employed or long-term employed, using mass transit to travel to and from work makes sound economic sense to boost personal finances. Even with the recent dip in gasoline prices, standard WRTA fares for travel as far and wide as commuting from downtown Youngstown to Courthouse Square in Warren costs a measly $1.25. Compare that with taxi fares at least 10 times higher or the costs of fueling, running and parking a personal vehicle, and the significant savings leap out to the fore. In fact, according to the American Public Transportation Association, the average annual savings for public transit riders in the United States in January 2015 stood at a whopping $9,069, or about $756 per month.

In addition, regular Mahoning Valley bus riders also are taking a stand for a cleaner environment by significantly reducing our high-polluting carbon footprint. Public transit use in the U.S. reduces our nation’s harmful carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually, according to the APTA. That amount of energy discharge is equivalent to the cities of New York, Washington, Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles combined ending their use of electricity.

Incalculable savings

In addition, there are the incalculable savings of time, convenience and quality of life that also factor into the equation. Using WRTA buses or other forms of mass transit allows would-be drivers to avoid the headaches of traffic bottlenecks, icy pavements, road-raging maniacs and other hazards of the highways. Instead, riders can read the daily newspaper, check their emails, thoughtfully consider their priorities for the workday or just sit back and relax.

In addition, all of Mahoning County taxpayers have a stake in the operations of WRTA. That’s because one-quarter of 1 percent of each and every purchase made by each and every consumer in the county helps to fill the authority’s $11 million annual budget. As such, it remains a critical cog in the county’s livelihood and vitality. Without the authority, employment and educational opportunities for thousands would be choked or stopped completely.

In recent years, the transit authority also has expanded routes and diversified services to meet the needs and destination priorities of its ridership. It also has initiated EasyGo, point-to-point pickup and dropoff to and from anywhere in the county. With so much going for it, WRTA’s continued growth is riding only on greater public awareness of the myriad assets it provides. We’re confident in 2015 many more patrons will recognize those assets and eagerly jump on board.