Vindicator Endorses Issue 4 to Support WRTA Operations
In an October 22 editorial, The Vindicator gave its endorsement to Issue 4, the renewal sales tax issue on the November 7 ballot that will provide continuing support for WRTA’s operations. Here is the text of that editorial:
Levies for mass transit, children deserve support
Two days ago, The Vindicator urged voters in a half-dozen Mahoning Valley public school districts to support school-levy renewals at the polls this fall to stave off sabotage to their operating budgets.
But just as school districts cannot be expected to operate with significantly less revenue than they did four or five years ago, neither can publicly funded countywide service agencies. Two such Mahoning County agencies with solid reputations for quality service are making such pleas in this election.
Western Reserve Transit Authority, which provides a variety of mass-transit services in the county, seeks continuing renewal of its 0.25 percent sales tax, first approved by voters in 2008 and renewed easily in 2012. Mahoning County Children’s Services is seeking a 0.5-mill replacement levy for the tax issue voters first approved in 1983.
Both warrant “yes” votes at the polls.
The WRTA operates 21 fixed routes in the county six days per week as well as special services for people with disabilities, suburban loop routes for high-traffic areas in Boardman, Austintown and Canfield, plus on-call curb-to-curb pickup service for communities without regular daily routes.
In recent years, it has expanded its schedules and services. The authority, which drew some 1.5 million passenger rides in 2016, is a lifeline for thousands to ensure their mobility to places of employment or critically needed services.
Some of WRTA’s targeted ridership groups continue to increase. According to the 2017 Updated Coordinated Public Transit Human Service Plan prepared by Nelson Development Ltd. of Akron, the WRTA draws upon a base of 33,682 disabled adults in the county, 64,501 adults living in poverty and 9,152 adults without any access to a private vehicle.
A strong mass transit authority also enhances a community’s ability to attract viable economic development.
All of those assets are well worth Issue 4’s cost of one cent for every four dollars in purchases in the county. In addition, the loss of the approximately $8.5 million the sales tax provides WRTA would also result in the loss of millions in federal and state assistance.
What’s more, WRTA leaders have proved to be responsible stewards in their spending practices, having earlier this month received an award for another clean audit from the state auditor.
Five years ago, 68,671 county voters or 61 percent of the electorate saw the value in renewing the sales tax for WRTA. Given the growth in the transit authority’s outreach and services since then, we’re hopeful its margin of victory will be even larger this year.
10-Ride Pass Winner for the Month of October!
We are happy to announce that the winner of the 10-Ride Pass for the month of October is…CARLTON TAYLOR!
To claim your prize Carlton, simply go to the information window at Federal Station and present a valid ID, between the hours of 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
Remember that WRTA will once again be giving away a free 10-Ride Pass each month in 2017. Simply like our page on Facebook for a chance to win! A random winner will be selected from all of our page likes each month. Winners need to provide a valid ID to claim their prize. Employees, board members, and contracted employees are not eligible. You can only win one pass in 2017.
Be sure to share this with your family and friends.
(This is a promotion run by WRTA. It is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.)
Free 4-All Friday Is September 15!
From the very first bus of the morning to the final Niteline run, you can ride any WRTA Fixed Route bus on Friday, September 15 at no charge! That’s right, you can leave the fare in your pocket on Free 4-All Friday — you won’t need it.
It’s our way of saying “thank you” for riding with WRTA — and also a way to introduce those who’ve never used our services before to the many benefits of using WRTA to get to work, medical appointments, visits with friends and family, and more.
See you on the bus Friday, September 15!
PLEASE NOTE: This one-day promotion applies to WRTA Fixed Route service only; ADA All-Access and Countywide services are not a part of Free 4-All Friday.
No Bus Service on Labor Day
WRTA WILL BE CLOSED – NO BUS SERVICE.
Please be advised that WRTA will be closed and there will be no bus service on Monday, September 4th in celebration of the holiday.
We here at WRTA sincerely hope that you and your family will have a very happy and safe holiday weekend!
Regular bus service will resume on Tuesday, September 5th.
Canfield Fair Express Bus Schedule
WRTA will be offering express bus service to and from the Canfield Fair this year!
10-Ride Pass Winner for the Month of August!
We are happy to announce that the winner of the 10-Ride Pass for the month of August is…DARLENE WILLIAMS!
To claim your prize Darlene, simply go to the information window at Federal Station and present a valid ID, between the hours of 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
Remember that WRTA will once again be giving away a free 10-Ride Pass each month in 2017. Simply like our page on Facebook for a chance to win! A random winner will be selected from all of our page likes each month. Winners need to provide a valid ID to claim their prize. Employees, board members, and contracted employees are not eligible. You can only win one pass in 2017.
Be sure to share this with your family and friends.
(This is a promotion run by WRTA. It is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.)
Northside Nightline Time Changes
Effective: September 3, 2017.
Time changes are highlighted in yellow.
President Donald Trump’s Arrival in Youngstown – July 25th Detours
Due to President Donald Trump’s arrival in Youngstown on Tuesday, July 25th, some WRTA routes will need to detour.
(Effective 3:00 pm)
These affected routes will detour as follows:
5-South
8-Market
15-Struthers
16-Buckeye
Left over Spring Common Bridge
Left on Oakhill
Left on Woodland
Continue on regular route
This affected route will detour as follows:
3-Wilson
Left on Commerce
Right on Fifth
Right on Madison Avenue Expressway
Left on Oak
Right on Pearl
Continue on regular route
All affected routes will reverse the detoured directions inbound.
* detours are subject to change depending on road closures.
Bicycle Rack Procedures for Fixed Route
The bicycle racks are for pedal bikes only (not motorized). For your convenience until the complete fleet of vehicles have bike racks, please call customer service to ask what route the vehicle with the bike rack is on.
Drivers can instruct passengers how to use the rack, but will not touch or place the bike on the rack. The instructions are on the rack and easy to understand. For safety reasons drivers should not exit the bus to load or unload a bicycle. If a passenger forgets to put the rack up, the driver should put it up when they reach the end of the line or at Federal Station.
Drivers are to always put their bus into neutral and set the brake before a customer loads or unloads a bicycle.
Passengers may use the bike rack at his or her own risk. WRTA is not responsible for any damage to bicycles. Children under the age of twelve must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
The passenger is responsible for loading and unloading the bike from the rack. The bike racks are available on a first come first serve basis; if there are more than two passengers waiting to load a bike the passengers must decide who goes and who doesn’t. Bicycles are not permitted inside the bus for transportation.
How to Load Your Bike
Make sure the bus is at a complete stop and the driver acknowledges you before you step in front of the bus. Never approach a stopped bus from the street side, as you cannot safely determine when a driver is about to leave.
Step# 1) Squeeze the handle on the top of the rack (marked #1) and lower it all the way down.
Step# 2) Place the front tire into the rack first in line with grooves (marked front wheel) then place the back tire in the rack.
Step# 3) Pull the hook out and lift it up over the front tire as close to the bike frame as possible and your bike is now locked in. Make sure you remove water bottles and any items that might fall off.
How To Unload Your Bike
Step# 1) Make sure you exit thru the front door and let the bus driver know that you are going to take your bike off the rack before you get off and step in front of the bus.
Step# 2) Remove your bike and fold up the rack if it is empty.
Step# 3) Go to the nearest curbside. Never cross in front of the bus, as passing traffic cannot see you.
WRTA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR BICYCLES THAT ARE LOST, STOLEN, DAMAGED OR ITEMS THAT MAY FALL OFF.
No Bus Service on 4th of July
WRTA WILL BE CLOSED – NO BUS SERVICE
Please be advised that WRTA will be closed and there will be no bus service on Tuesday, July 4th in celebration of the holiday.
We here at WRTA sincerely hope that you and your family will have a very happy and safe holiday!
Regular bus service will resume on Wednesday, July 5th.
