LEAP has joined “Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward,” the transportation coalition spearheaded by Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit research institute dedicated to creating an economy that works for everyone. LEAP is the only coalition member that advocates for people with disabilities.

“Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward” unites transportation, public policy, social service, and environmental organizations that believe the decline of government support for public transportation should be reversed.

“Many of LEAP’s consumers in both Cuyahoga and Lorain counties depend on public transportation to get to work and school,” said Deborah Nebel, LEAP’s director of public policy. “Without a viable public transportation option, they will be unable to do these things. But this is not an issue that affects only people we serve. This is about the economic vitality of our communities. Many people depend on public transit, and business benefit when there is good public transportation.”

Ohio ranks 40^th in the nation in terms of dollars spent on mass transit as a percentage of total state transportation expenditures, according to a report issued by Policy Matters Ohio. Less than 1 percent of Ohio’s transportation budget goes toward public transit. Per capita, Indiana spends 3.6 times more, Michigan nearly 10 times more, and Pennsylvania 33 times more than Ohio does on public transportation. Decreased state funding for transit is likely to continue into the 2011 budget unless state legislators come to believe that transit is a priority for all Ohioans.

Because the Ohio Constitution prohibits state gas tax revenues from being used for public transit, most operational support for public transportation comes from local revenue sources. Fares paid by riders cover a very small portion of the total costs of running a transit system. Without local and state support, it is virtually impossible for transit agencies to start, maintain, or expand services, and many Ohio agencies have had to cut services or scrap plans for expanded operations.

The report clearly shows that increased spending on transit could help revitalize the state. For every $1.25 million spent on public transportation projects, the report states, approximately 51.3 jobs are created. That’s nearly 19 percent more than the number new construction projects generate.

Environmental issues also come into play. Ohio ranks fourth among states for total carbon emissions, putting approximately 275 million metric tons of carbon into the air each year. Fewer cars and more buses on the roads mean easier breathing for everyone.

“Transportation spending should better reflect the positive role public transit can play in creating a more equitable, vibrant, and sustainable Ohio,” said Amanda Woodrum, policy liaison with Policy Matters Ohio and the author of the report. “When compared to driving private cars, public transit saves energy, spurs economic development, employs people, assists firms and workers by lowering the cost of commuting, reduces suburban sprawl, increases urban vitality, reduces traffic congestion, and is far less harmful to the environment.”

Nebel concurred. “We’re driving ourselves into oblivion with our dependence on fossil fuels,” she said.

Note: Anyone interested in working with LEAP and others in the community on transportation issues should contact Donna Prease in Cleveland (216-696-2716 ext. 114) or Elsie Danevich in Elyria (440-324-3444 ext. 22).