Cuts loom if Mahoning County voters reject bus levy, WRTA chief says

[northside lurker]

Why is it OK for the gov't to subsidize roads, and not other transportation infrastructure?

Anyway, to answer your question, I didn't say the gov't shouldn't subsidize roads.  I would just suggest that, if privately owned transit services were ever to be profitable again, the gov't would have to subsidize roads less.

[Rick Rowlands]

Westsider, I don't understand your comment about govt. not subsidizing roads.  That is actually one of the few things that govt. does that they SHOULD be doing.   

[Why?Town]

If the poor could pony up for the true costs of operating the bus, they would own a car.....Stop and think once in awhile, Ricky....

The Vindy article said the levy income accounts for 70% of the budget. Would people quit riding the bus at $3 a trip?

The true cost of operating the bus DIVIDED by all riders would hardly equal the price of a car for each.

[irishbobcat]

If the poor could pony up for the true costs of operating the bus, they would own a car.....Stop and think once in awhile, Ricky....

[jay]

If you want to help the levy campaign, come to the Friends of Transit spaghetti dinner.

If you can not attend, buy one or more tickets and give them to your friends.

Friends of Transit Spaghetti Dinner

Sunday, October 28
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

- Location -
Basement Hall
St. Patrick Church
Oak Hill Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio

[iwasthere]

the cost is shared by everyone though a sale tax. there are people who are gainfully employed use the wrta as thier transportation mode for various reasons.

[northside lurker]

I agree, the privately run model is a great idea.  But it won't work as long as the government continues to subsidize roads so much.  Either the gov't should subsidize infrastructure, or it shouldn't.  It can't pick winners, and not expect losers.

[Rick Rowlands]

The best use for signing bonuses is not to blow it driving around half empty buses, but to spend it on big projects that otherwise could not be funded.  Youngstown wants to use theirs in addressing the backlog of houses that need demolished and Campbell wants to use theirs for infrastructure projects.    As for WRTA, riders need to pony up the true cost of their bus rides.  The previous Youngstown Municipal Railways was a for profit company and paid the city for a franchise to operate on city streets.  I think we need to get back to that business model.

[iwasthere]

If you're forced to buy a car, somebody will be forced to steal it...

not if i have my dragon, minnie and mickey, turkey and my other stuff animals guarding it.

[Rushblvd]

Need a WRTA sign for my yard please--Where do I get it-or can someone put in my yard please?

[irishbobcat]

If you're forced to buy a car, somebody will be forced to steal it...

[iwasthere]

if the levy fails, i will be force to buy a car.

[irishbobcat]

Shouldn't all this fracking money that is coming into the county and making us all super rich help pay for WRTA? Since everyone is getting rich off of mineral rights, I am sure voters then have extra money to
support bus service....

Besides, this levy is a renewal...no new taxes....

[jay]

The last levy in 2008 passed with 55% of the vote.

[irishbobcat]

We need the WRTA. The poor and people with disabilities need transportation.