Public transit advocates make the case to significantly boost funding in state budget
India Birdsong, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority CEO and general manager
Responding to a barrage of criticism from transit advocates, Ohio legislators have significantly boosted funding for public transportation in the 2021-2022 budget.
The Ohio House Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 25, accepted a substitute to House Bill 74, committing $97 million a year in total funding annually for public transit agencies hit hard by low ridership and pandemic-related expenses.
The increase is a far cry from the paltry $7.3 million a year, in state funds only, originally proposed by Gov. Mike DeWine's executive budget for the transportation agencies. That was a 90% drop from the $70 million in funds in the 2020-2021 budget.