Stimulus money helping out cash-strapped Metro

As Cincinnati’s primary transit organization braces for what could be a $12 to $14 million budget shortfall for 2010, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is providing much needed money for capital projects that will keep Metro running. One of the primary reasons behind the budget deficit for Metro is the declining earnings tax revenue at the City of Cincinnati which funds nearly half of Metro’s operating budget.  Officials at Metro attribute the budget shortfall to the ongoing recession and high unemployment numbers. As a result Metro has been forced to propose service reductions, defer $700,000 in capital replacement costs and reduce an additional $400,000 in internal costs just to balance the remaining 2009 budget.  In addition to these actions, officials at Metro say that stimulus money has “saved” service and provided $4.2 million for preventive maintenance. Last week Congressman Steve Driehaus (D, OH-1) announced another $823,000 for the cash-strapped transit agency that will be used to purchase three forty-foot replacement biodiesel buses. Congressman Driehaus stated that this is a smart investment in public transportation and that, “this funding will help SORTA expand access to transportation for riders in greater Cincinnati while replacing aging equipment with new, environmentally friendly buses.” Officials at Metro emphasize that while budget issues loom, capital projects are still needed and fortunately still maintained to a certain extent thanks to stimulus funding and other grants.  These capital expenditures also include money for a new CAD/AVL system and capitalized maintenance costs. Metro is concerned about the 2010 budget warning that the one-time cost savings used in 2009 will not be available in 2010.  “Without new revenue, we will be forced to significantly reduce service in 2010 to balance the budget,” warns Metro CEO Marilyn Shazor. Other transit systems across the nation are facing similar stories with dozens of agencies facing service reductions, fare increases or even both. Metro currently employees 925 people, with most being directly related to transit operations, and provided 22 million rides per year in the Cincinnati region over 13 million miles of annual travel.Writer: Randy A. SimesPhotography by Scott Beseler