CLEVELAND — You've heard the horror stories before, RTA trains and buses breaking down, not running on time and leaving folks stranded while they make fixes.
Local lawmakers think they have the answers. Two state representatives from Northeast Ohio, Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) gathered in Columbus Wednesday to introduce legislation to get the state to invest more money in public transportation.
"Ohio currently ranks near the bottom of states when it comes to investing in public transit. We cannot afford to fall further behind," said Rep. Skindell in a news release. "By reinvesting in our infrastructure, we attract business and development, connect people to jobs and services and grow our economy. This plan puts Ohio in the driver's seat again."
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Akshai Singh is an organizer at the Amalgamated Transit Union. He went to Columbus Wednesday to hear the announcement, and he says money for transit here is a necessity especially after the state has cut its funding year after year.
"Essentially that would give us a lot of flexibility to get started on a lot of fixes, a lot of additions or restorations that have been long overdue," said Singh.
The state representatives are asking for $150 million from the state budget to go towards transit systems.
About 200,000 people use the RTA during the week.
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