Ohio's public transit spending lags behind neighbors
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Ohio spends only $4 per capita on public transit every year, far below its neighbors.
Why it matters: These budget priorities demonstrate that state lawmakers view public transportation as a last resort, not as a viable, sustainable transit option for all, opines a new report from the progressive think tank Policy Matters Ohio.
State of play: Michigan comparatively spends $22 per capita annually. Indiana, $36. Illinois, $48.
- In Pennsylvania, the state spends $112 per capita, fully 28 times that of Ohio.
What they found: Additional funding, the report argues, would improve service throughout the state's 27 urban and 38 rural transit systems and alleviate transportation costs for many Ohioans by making public transit a realistic alternative to private vehicle ownership.
The big picture: The state has historically prioritized investments in roads and highway infrastructure over public transportation.
Zoom in: In the current two-year state budget, $11.5 billion of the total $13.5 billion transportation budget (85%) goes to the Ohio Department of Transportation, while only 1.5% goes to public transit.
By the numbers: Public transit systems in Ohio receive funding from federal, state and local sources. In Cleveland, for example, the majority of RTA's funding comes from a 1% Cuyahoga County sales tax.
- Only 4% of Ohio's transit system funding comes from the state budget.
- That's significantly below the state share of transit systems in Pennsylvania (51.0%), Indiana (34.3%), Michigan (29%) and Illinois (14.5%).
What they're saying: "After decades of underinvestment, the state legislature has a responsibility to do better by the people who depend on public transit in Ohio," wrote Policy Matters researcher Molly Bryden, one of the report's co-authors.
- The report recommends upping the state share of public transit funding from its current 4% to 10% by ending tax breaks for the wealthiest Ohioans and reallocating tax revenue.
- It also recommends commissioning a statewide analysis of Ohio's public transportation needs.