Take action: Sign our letter for transit funding here!
Immediate Action Must Be Taken to Keep Riders Safe and Expand Transit Funding.
Cleveland, OH, March 23, 2020
Today, Clevelanders for Public Transit (CPT) will host a virtual press conference to call for emergency state and federal funding for public transit and immediate actions to be taken by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) to protect riders and transit workers in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Transit riders and CPT members will present recommendations and take questions live via Zoom at 1 p.m. today, in advance of the GCRTA Board of Trustees’ meeting Tuesday morning. See below for the call-in info.
Funding and State Reform
Transit agencies across the U.S are projected to lose up to $38 billion over the next year. GCRTA and other transit agencies around Ohio need to be vocal in demanding emergency state and federal funding for transit agencies, to cover revenue shortfalls and increased costs related to protecting the public during this pandemic.
Legislators in Columbus and Washington must immediately grant relief funding for GCRTA and all transit agencies. Public transit is critical in getting many essential workers, like healthcare workers, first responders, and public utility employees, to their jobs.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) must act to create a dedicated fund for transit. Ohio spends over 2.5 billion annually on road projects, while nearly 10% of Ohio households do not have access to a vehicle. With the COVID-19 pandemic, CPT is calling for at least $250 million to be spent on transit and alternative transportation annually.
Ohio lawmakers must also repeal ORC 2917.41, which designates fare evasion as a criminal offense. Bus lines are life lines and riders should not be criminalized for trying to get to essential jobs or medical care if they are unable to afford fares during this global pandemic.
Clevelanders for Public Transit is calling on GCRTA board members and elected officials to exercise their political power and influence to protect and sustain our public transit system, both during the COVID-19 emergency and afterwards.
Safety
GCRTA should join transit agencies around Ohio that have initiated fare-free service and rear-door boarding to limit operator exposure, enable social distancing between riders, and offer a financial cushion to riders affected by lost wages. Many agencies across the country have already made these changes.
This and other requested actions are being sent to Governor DeWine, Federal, State and Local officials as well as the GCRTA Board and CEO. The full letter can be signed and viewed here.
Join Clevelanders for Public Transit for a 1 p.m. virtual press conference:
Topic: Digital Press Conference: COVID-19 And Transit in Ohio
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/130834827
Meeting ID: 130 834 827
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Meeting ID: 130 834 827
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Clevelanders for Public Transit is a riders’ organization that builds power for affordable, accessible and equitable public transit in Northeast Ohio. For more information, visit clefortransit.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.