The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority wants funding to revamp its bus system, but convincing voters of a tax's necessity will require bigger thinking.
Chris Wetterich reports from Cincinnati: "Hamilton County has more than $1.17 billion in planned infrastructure projects along Metro bus routes, according to a new study commissioned by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber."
"The chamber released the analysis on Tuesday night to bolster the case for a countywide sales tax levy that would boost spending on road, bridge and sidewalk projects along with the Metro bus system, which is run by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority."
According to the political calculus of the effort, connecting transportation tax money to broader infrastructure issues will help convince voters who have historically proven skeptical of public transit to approve the tax.
SORTA is still trying to figure out the final details of a proposed tax, but most of the revenue generated by the tax would be spent on the regional bus system.
"Metro has said it would take a 0.7% sales tax to implement its Reinventing Metro plan, which calls for 24-hour service along some corridors, more-frequent service along most routes, new crosstown routes and neighborhood circulators, and bus-rapid transit, a rail-like bus service with limited stops, stations, traffic signal priority and dedicated lanes," according to Wetterich.
FULL STORY: Hamilton County has more than $1 billion in infrastructure needs along transit routes, study says
Transit Improvements Coming to Cincinnati Area After Voters Approve New Sales Tax
Hamilton County, Ohio, home to Cincinnati and the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, has a new coffer of money to fund public transit improvements.
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Efforts to bolster support for a countywide sales tax levy in Hamilton County, Ohio, are pushing the city to fire SORTA as the manager of the troubled Cincinnati Bell Connector.
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Cincinnati area voters might get a chance to decide the future of transit funding in the city of Cincinnati and the county of Hamilton.
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Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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