Support your local #publictransit advocates - Ohio

New Powerhouse Statewide Coalition Calls on Kasich to Increase Transit Funding | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog: ""Ohio's under-investment in public transit, over the past several decades, has left our public transit system lacking," the letter read. "Lack of widespread public transportation limits low-income workers' ability to get to jobs, stunting their ability to support themselves and their families. It also leaves too many people with disabilities as well as those who are aging essentially home bound,
making it difficult for them to access the grocery store, the doctor's office, and to meet their other needs with dignity."
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Coalition Calls For Increased Funding, Accessibility To Public Transportation

The Statehouse News Bureau: "A coalition of environmental, disability and other groups from around the state are calling on lawmakers and Gov. John Kasich to increase funding to public transportation. That means more sidewalks, bike paths and mass transit."

Ohio automobile culture means poor and disabled get stranded

cleveland.com: ""Council President [Dan] Brady and other members are very concerned about past and potential future cuts to public transit," Nanni said.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority this year already had to raise fares and cut service 3 percent and faces even deeper cuts in 2018 when it will lose funding from the sales and use tax on Medicaid managed care organizations. At that point, RTA could have to cut service up to 10 percent and lay off 150 people, RTA CEO Joe Calabrese has estimated."

Electric vehicles a new opportunity to subsidize sprawl

Electrek: "Last week, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced a new legislation that could add up to $250 per month in benefits to people commuting to work in electric vehicles. The new bill, called Electric Vehicle Credit Act, would allow employers to give workers with electric cars access to the same pre-tax transportation benefits many workers receive for traditional forms of transportation like public transportation allowances, parking fees, and public transit passes."

Ohio’s low transit funding complicates efforts to cut emission

Midwest Energy News: "“There’s enormous opportunity in the transportation sector” to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, said Amanda Woodrum, a researcher for Policy Matters Ohio. Transportation “represents about a quarter of the state’s emissions, second only to the electric power sector.”

Ohio’s per capita transportation emissions are comparable with other Midwest states. However, Woodrum said, “we do a terrible job at the state level of supporting public transportation,” which is regarded as a key solution to reducing emissions in the sector.

A 2014 report by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials found that Ohio spent only 63 cents per citizen on transit in 2012, compared to $8.57 in Indiana, $24.33 in Michigan, and $63.26 in Illinois. Among Midwest states, only Missouri ranked lower in the survey, at 50 cents per capita."

#Publictransit key to success of anti-transit meeting

Ohio.com: "State and local transportation officials are working with political consultants and the city of Cleveland to develop free-flowing routes for downtown visitors during the Republican National Convention in less than three weeks."

Clevelanders for Public Transit

Ohio Organizing Collaborative: "Ohio funds public transit at one of the lowest levels in the nation - spending just $7.3 million in total or about $0.63 per Ohio resident. This severe under-funding of transit has led to a crisis in Cleveland: RTA, the most robust transit authority in the state is proposing raising fares and cutting routes for Cuyahoga County residents. We cannot continue down this path and aim to be a vibrant community. Cleveland for Public Transit exists to build power for riders so investment public transportation is a priority for the public and private sectors. Sign up to get involved!

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Free shuttle service in Cleveland expanded

freshwatercleveland : "The new BlueLink, which launched today, will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The free shuttle will circulate every 20 or 30 minutes and will stop at the new Little Italy – University Circle RTA Station; points along Mayfield, Murray Hill and Cornell Roads; and the cultural attractions lining Wade Oval and Magnolia Drive. The addition increases the small but mighty CircleLink fleet from two to three shuttles."

Interesting account of Mansfield, Ohio bus service

richlandsource.com: " the bus system is an absolute lifeline for those without a car who need to ride to work; for students, for the disabled; for young mothers with children lacking transport; and for those who for whatever reason cannot drive themselves.

The drivers here on these small local routes do so much more than drive the bus. They are friends and helpers to those in the community who need it, and they do it all with chatty good humor and no-nonsense efficiency, day in and day out."

OU students, staff soon will get free local public transit with ID

athensnews.com : "Access to public transportation on campus and throughout Athens County is about to be improved for all Athens-based students and employees with a valid Ohio University identification card, according to a news release.

Athens Mayor Steve Patterson and OU President Roderick J. McDavis last week announced a pilot partnership that will allow the OU ID to serve as a fare card for unlimited travel on the Athens Public Transit (APT) system, beginning July 1, 2016. The Bobcat Pass pilot program is intended to significantly increase access to a large population within Athens County. The pilot phase will last one year and will be funded by OU’s Transportation and Parking Department."

OU, Athens partner to offer free public transit to OU students, employees

athensmessenger.com: "On Wednesday, Athens Mayor Steve Patterson and Ohio University President Roderick J. McDavis announced a pilot partnership that will allow the Ohio University ID to serve as a fare card for unlimited travel on the Athens Public Transit (APT) system beginning July 1, 2016. The Bobcat Pass pilot program is intended to significantly increase access to a large population within Athens County. The pilot phase will last one year and will be funded by Ohio University’s Transportation and Parking Department."

Ohio Survey: Nearly 80 percent believe they will benefit from expanded public transportation

WLWT Home: "92.2 percent agree that ensuring that the system provides transportation to seniors, students, workers and people without cars is essential to the economy and the basic quality of life, even if they don't use public transit personally.
79.5 percent agree with people who say that they will, in some way, benefit by having expanded and improved bus and public transit services in Hamilton County, even though they may not use transit personally.
58.4 percent think connecting people to jobs is the highest priority for local bus transportation to improve the quality of life in Cincinnati and Hamilton County. "