Transit Funding Campaign
 

The City is being asked by the Ohio Public Transit Association to support a transit initiative. I’ve
attached the information they sent for your reference. Though they put out a call on May 20
for a show of support by May 31, the issue won’t be going to the ballot until Nov. 2012, so
we’ve got time to work through this. We could certainly ask a rep to attend a future Council
meeting to answer questions.
 

The proposal is for a constitutional ballot initiative to add a .25 percent sales tax for transit,
which will raise approximately $250 million/annually, the determined amount needed to fully
fund transit in Ohio.
 

This increase in annual funding will result in the following improvements in transit provision:
• Significant expansion of service throughout all systems. Since the majority are bus
and paratransit systems, this will greatly increase bus and paratransit service around
the state;
 

• Fund new rail and streetcar projects throughout the state based on their score on a
series of competitive criteria designed to measure their economic, social equity, and
environmental benefits;
 

• Fund investment in new energy-efficient bus fleets;
 

• Keep service affordable and eliminate the need for fare hikes;
 

• Stabilize the state’s public transportation systems that have suffered from significant
cuts for the last ten years; and
 

• Include provisions for encouraging transit-supportive land uses around stations.
Please advise if you would like further information on this initiative at an upcoming council
meeting in order to make a determination as to your interest in supporting this proposal on a
statewide tax.

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