Recommendations
Maintaining the current transit system is the highest priority. In order to maintain the transit system, the recommendations prioritize transit preservation needs including operating expenses, bus purchases, and preventative maintenance. Operating costs will continue to be METRO and PARTA’s largest expense, leaving very little funding available for expansion needs.
Transportation Outlook’s Transit Recommendations are fiscally constrained, meaning that they can be funded based on a forecast of expected revenues.
The following are the Public Transportation Recommendations of Transportation Outlook:
- Preserve the existing transit systems
- Over $936 million should be invested to preserve and expand METRO’s system.
- Over $189 million should be invested to preserve and expand PARTA’s system.
- Coordination should be a high priority
- METRO and PARTA should continue to coordinate with each other as well as other adjacent transit agencies to improve service.
- Continue to invest in projects recommended in the Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Plan.
- Over $6 million is reserved for METRO and PARTA to create a regional Mobility Management program.
- Expand the current system with capital improvements to enhance service and attract additional ridership
- Over $8 million is recommended for METRO SCAT restructuring and new facility.
- Over $8 million is recommended for a Downtown Kent Transfer Center.
- Invest additional $9.6 million in ARRA funds to aid the regional transit system
- Support METRO and PARTA efforts to obtain additional ARRA funding through competitive grants.
- Federal and state regulations should be revised to allow fuel tax revenue to be used for transit operational expenses like fuel and labor