NOACA Proposes to Help Ease Transit Authorities’ Financial Crisis
In response to the national and regional funding crisis being experienced by public transit providers, NOACA’s Transportation Advisory Committee has recommended that the agency distribute $10.5 million in available Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) funds among the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA), LAKETRAN, Lorain County Transit, Geauga County Transit, Brunswick Transit Alternative and Medina County Transit. This funding will help cover the added costs of operation and possibly minimize the need for service reductions and fare increases.
“Public transit systems throughout the nation and Ohio are, in spite of increased ridership, being impacted by the increased cost of diesel fuel,” says GCRTA General Manager Joe Calabrese. “These emergency funds will mitigate service cuts and fuel surcharges for approximately one year, as we hope funds can be allocated for transit in the upcoming state budget. The funds are very important to allow the continuation of services many people need to get to jobs and other important destinations.”
The NOACA Governing Board will consider this recommendation at its monthly meeting on September 12 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the University of Akron – Medina County University Center, 6300 Technology Lane, Medina, OH, and is open to the public.
NOACA welcomes public comment on this proposed action. You can also mail a comment to NOACA at 1299 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114, fax it to (216) 621-3024, or leave a voice mail message at (216) 241-2414, ext. 303.
Transportation Advisory Committee recommendations to the NOACA Governing Board
Update: August 25, 2008
In response to recommendation # 7 adopted by the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) on August 15, 2008, the Transit Council (TC) met on Friday, August 15th and continued the discussion on Thursday, August 21st, to assess several regional distribution formula options presented by the NOACA staff. After much discussion, the TC has recommended that the total funding be increased from $10.5 million to approximately $11.2 million and that the funds be distributed as follows:
- GCRTA (Cuyahoga County) $ 9,031,793
- Geauga County Transit (Geauga County) $ 136,643
- Laketran (Lake County) $ 1,000,000
- Lorain County Transit (Lorain County) $ 645,431
- Medina County Transit (Medina County) $ 305,174
- Brunswick Transit Alternative(Medina County) $ 38,103
This recommendation was included in a draft resolution for NOACA Board consideration on September 12, 2008 (time and location of meeting noted above). You can view the following materials:
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