Night, Warren routes to be cut

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The cutbacks will mean layoffs for 13 employees.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — The Western Reserve Transit Authority announced which cuts in service will be made Monday — including eliminating night service and rides to Warren — to save money in the future.

James Ferraro, WRTA's executive director, explained the series of changes in busing services Monday, after The Vindicator received an anonymous letter stating that the changes will be made too quickly for some riders to make proper arrangements.

Ferraro said that the public was given an opportunity to voice concerns but that the changes must be made now.

"We had the public hearing three weeks ago to give people the chance to respond to what we were proposing. Now, we have decided to go ahead with those changes," he said. "The longer we wait, the harder it will be to stay open."

Transit officials have said a reduction of about $1.75 million in state and federal funding is to blame for the upcoming cuts to routes and services.

Night service eliminated

Ferraro said one of the most noticeable changes will be the elimination of night bus service. Riders can currently use WRTA services until close to midnight. After the changes are made, all rider service will end around 6 p.m.

Service to Warren also is being eliminated, Ferraro said. The buses will now travel as far as Liberty Township and Trumbull Avenue in Girard.

He said the area's state lawmakers are hoping to get WRTA and Niles Trumbull Transit Service to work together in getting riders to and from Warren.

Ferraro said officials have also found it necessary to eliminate the Hillman Street bus route. He said those using the bus should be able to be accommodated on another route close by.

"At one time Hillman was an excellent route. There used to be a lot of homes. Now there are no homes except at the top of the hill. We will cover that [area at the top of the hill] with the Glenwood bus," he said.

The downtown trolley service will also be eliminated. Officials, Ferraro said, are working to devise a plan for riders to ride the downtown area for free on regular buses on route.

Layoffs

The cutbacks will also mean layoffs for 13 employees. Ferraro said 10 full-time and part-time drivers will be laid off along with three staff members.

Ferraro said it is unlikely that any of the dropped services and routes will be restored anytime soon. He said he is hopeful, however, that state officials will put additional funds in the transportation budget, which could mean a return of certain services in the future.

Ferraro has said the busing system experienced a 2 percent drop in riders from 2005 to 2006 with 32,000 fewer riders. Total riders for 2006 was 1.6 million.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

Tuesday, March 27, 2007