LakeTran

Malecek Elected to Lead Laketran Board of Trustees

5 May 2009 15:37

The Laketran Board of Trustees elected Kevin Malecek as President and John Redmond as Vice-President for the remainder of 2009.

Ohio Senate Weighs Funding for Transit

4 May 2009 11:23

Laketran General Manager Ray Jurkowski and Trustee McNamee will testify before the Ohio Senate for approval of an amended House Bill 1 that proposes a $6 million increase for public transportation in the 2010-2011 State Budget.

Laketran Board Approves Financial Recovery Plan

4 May 2009 11:23

The Laketran Board of Trustees approved a financial recovery plan for the agency at their May 11, 2009 meeting.

Commuter Transit Benefits Increased to $230 per month

4 May 2009 11:23

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the monthly tax exclusion for employer-provided commuter highway vehicle transportation and transit pass benefits increased to $230, effective from March through December 2009.

Petition and Postcards Needed

4 May 2009 11:23

Laketran is asking all citizens who are participating in writing letters, mailing postcards or signing petitions to our Ohio legislators to complete them and mail them by Friday, April 24.

LEGAL NOTICE- Public Hearings

4 May 2009 11:23

Due to the proposed continuing reduction in state operating assistance funding and slumping local sales tax LAKETRAN, the public transit authority for Lake County, will hold four public hearings to describe and receive input on a proposal for service reduction/eliminations effective July 1, 2009 and to increase fares on July 1, 2009 and on July 1, 2010.

GreenPerks Program is Local Economic Driver

Laketran is introducing a new economic growth program called GreenPerks. It is designed to generate new foot traffic for local retailers located along the transit agencys fixed routes.

Laketran Ridership Grows in 08

Laketran ridership increased by four percent in 2008 over the previous year.

Marketing Challenge Leads to Best Practice and Awards

Laketrans Go Green. Get on Board. Campaigns took top awards at the Lake Communicators Apex Awards. The campaign received the Gold Award for Best Print Media, Mixed Media and BEST IN SHOW.

Wickliffe Receives Laketrans First Smart Growth Award

Smart growth includes improving pedestrian and transit access.

Laketran Requests Help from Public - Transit Funding in hands of Conference Committee

17 Jun 2009 12:09

Fate of Public Transit Funding Dependent on House/Senate Conference Committee
In spite of the successful efforts of local State Representative Mark Schneider to increase the amount of public transit general revenue funds (GRF) in the State’s Biennial Budget (known as House Bill 1) while in the Senate, that increase was not only eliminated, but further reduced.

For the State’s 2009 fiscal year (FY), Ohio’s 59 public transit systems received $14.6 million in State aid through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). For the States 2010-2011 biennium budget (HB1):
The Governor proposed a decrease in public transit funding to $13.3 million for the FY 2010 and 2011.
The House approved the State Budget (HB1) with an increase for transit funding at a level of $19.9 million for FY 2010 and $20 million for FY 2011.
The Senate approved HB 1 with a decrease in transit funding down to $12.7 million.
Ohio ranks 40th in the nation in state public transit spending as a percentage of state transportation dollars expended. At the level of $12.7 million as proposed by the senate, this would represent a 71 percent decrease in public transit funding over a ten year period!

Sales tax revenue declines across the state are forcing sales-tax-dependent systems to implement fare increases and service cuts to sustain minimum levels of service. At stake is the ability of hundreds of thousands of people to get to work each day. Further reducing public transit funding will leave Ohioans stranded without access to employment and education.

A House/Senate conference committee, consisting of two Democrats and one Republican from the House and two Republicans and one Democrat from the Senate, has been announced. The committee will be required to review the 3,500-page budget document and work through the differences in the House/Senate versions. The Ohio constitution requires that a balanced budget for the next biennium be passed by June 30th.

Citizens are being asked to call or email the key decision makers on the conference committee, as well as your local elected leadership, to encourage them to support the House’s version of the public transit funding. Briefly tell your story and how Laketran’s service reductions or fare increases are affecting your quality of life or that of your family, employees, neighbors or clients.

Key decision makers on the State Budget email and address list.
View the email from Ray Jurkowski, Laketran’s general manager to public supporters.
Laketran Requests Congressional Support to Use Federal Funds for Operating Expenses

Laketran Receives Thirteenth Consecutive Clean Audit

23 Jun 2009 14:02
Laketran, the regional transit authority for Lake County, Ohio has received a clean audit for the thirteenth consecutive year. Laketran received an unqualified opinion, the best opinion available for this type of audit, from James G. Zupka, CPA, Inc. Zupka is contracted by the State of Ohio to conduct this audit and issue an opinion, which is subject to review by the Auditor of State.
"Thirteen years of unqualified opinions with no material findings is something to be proud of," notes Laketran General Manager Ray Jurkowski. "We diligently strive to be prudent and thorough in our financial practices. These audit findings confirm that we are doing the right things."

The audit covered the 2008 fiscal year, ending in December. The agency's annual operating budget in 2008 was $12.9 million.

Transit Funding to Lose Additional $2.5 million- Citizen Action Needed

25 Jun 2009 10:45

Over the weekend, Governor Strickland proposed to cut an additional $2.5 million a year in state funding for Ohio's public transit system. This proposal has been sent to legislators for consideration.

Timing is critical for citizens to immediately contact the offices of State Senators and Representatives and tell them how service cuts and fare increases are affecting you! It is important to tell them they need to increase funding for operating assistance for public transit systems like Laketran.

If the State budget passes, funding for Ohio public transit will have been reduced by 76% for ten consecutive years - from $44.3 million in 2000 to $10.8 million a year in 2010 and 2011.

Riders are urged to contact theseState Legislators by phone or email immediately!

Boyd Reappointed to Laketran Board of Trustees

20 Jul 2009 10:51

The Lake County Commissioners have reappointed Jason Boyd, director of the Lake County Planning Commission, to serve a second term on the Laketran Board of Trustees. Boyd, a Willoughby resident, was first appointed in August of 2005 to serve on the governing body. “ I am privileged to be given the opportunity by the Commissioners to serve the citizens of Lake County. While these times are uncertain and difficult for our riders and organization, I will work diligently to provide the highest quality of public transit with a sincere effort of maintaining, if not enhancing, the suite of services available to the residents and businesses of Lake County. I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees and staff of Laketran. It will not be easy, but I'm ready,” states Boyd.

The Laketran Board of Trustees is comprised of nine community members, each appointed to fill a three year term. All trustees are appointed by the Lake County Commissioners. The board provides governance and sets policy for the agency. The Board President is Kevin Malecek of Willoughby Hills; Vice-President is John Redmond of Mentor.

Live on WCPN Wednesday, August 5 at 9 am

4 Aug 2009 16:08
Laketran General Manager Ray Jurkowski will be among regional transit leaders participating in a discussion regarding public transit fare increases, service cuts and revenues. Tune in at 9 am to WCPN at 90.3 FM or stream live!

Public Transit Fares, Services and Funding featured on WCPN's Sound of Ideas podcast

5 Aug 2009 10:46
Listen to this morning's podcast of WCPN's The Sound of Ideas. This morning's program was a regional discussion of public transportation fares, services and funding. WCPN Reporter Paul Cox hosted the discussion with Ray Jurkowski (Laketran), Joe Calabrese(GCRTA), Louwana Olivia(Akron METRO), Scott Varner(ODOT)and Karen Farkus (The Plain Dealer).

CSU Student Survey

20 Oct 2009 11:20
CSU Student Transit Survey is available for CSU Sustainability Day event. All full and part-time students are encouraged to participate.

Personal Checks Will No Longer be Accepted as Fare Payment on Laketran Buses

20 Nov 2009 10:44

Effective January 1, 2010, Laketran will no longer accept personal checks as a form of payment for individual or multi-ride fares.

On-board fare payment will be cash only or through using a multi-ride ticket.

Multi-ride tickets can be purchased on-line, by phone or by mail. Payment forms accepted will be Visa/MasterCard credit or debit cards, corporate checks, government-issued transit vouchers, or money-orders.

More information can be found at Laketran's Fare Information page.

Mentor Senior Center Dial-a-Ride Fare Subsidy Changes

4 Jan 2010 13:59

For seniors living in Mentor and Mentor-on-the-Lake: Effective January 2010, the Mentor Senior Center will pay $2.00 toward the Dial-a-Ride fare going to and from the center. Seniors will be responsible for paying the balance of the current fare – 50 cents.

Seniors not living in one of the above Mentor-area cities: Effective January 2010, seniors NOT living in the above Mentor-area cities will be responsible for paying the full fare - $2.50.

Laketran Commuter Express Routes Affected by St. Patrick's Day Parades

12 Mar 2010 13:52

Laketran's afternoon Commuter Express services will be affected by the St. Patrick's Day parades on Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

Routes 10 and 11
These routes will not have a staging area on Rockwell. Passengers will have to catch the bus at any RTA stop on the north side of St. Clair between East 18th and West 3rd.

Route 13
No changes.

Routes 12 and 14
The 3:20 and 4:20 Route 12 and the 3:10 Route 14 passengers will have to board at any RTA stop on the north side of St. Clair between East 18th and West 3rd. All other Route 12 departures will follow the usual routing.

The 4:10 and 4:55 Route 14 departures will follow the usual routing until East 9th and Rockwell (no layover on Rockwell) continue East 9th to St. Clair. Passengers will have to catch the bus at any RTA stops on the north side of St. Clair between East 9th and West 3rd.

For additional information, call 1-888-LAKETRAN.

Laketran Trustees Reappointed

25 May 2010 14:46
The Lake County Commissioners reappointed three Laketran trustees to serve additional terms of three years each. Donna P. McNamee, Robert Roberti and Denise Powell were re-appointed to serve through May 2013. Laketran is governed by a board of nine trustees, all appointed by the Lake County Commissioners in staggered three-year terms. Kevin Malecek serves as the President of the Board of Trustees and John Redmond, CPA serves as Vice-President.

New Fare Boxes to Go Live in Two Stages

25 May 2010 14:57
Laketran's new electronic fare box payment system is being implemented in two phases. Phase I went live on all Dial-a-Ride buses on Monday, May 10; Phase II will be implemented on the local Fixed Routes 1-6 and Commuter Express Routes 10-14 on Monday, June 14. Phase I was successfully launched on May 10 following extensive driver training and community training sessions at local senior centers and human service agencies. Riders will no longer need to carry exact fare as the new system can issue a change card applicable for fare payment on future trips. The system is expected to increase fare box recovery revenues as the boxes can accurately record the amount deposited by each rider. Riders can turn in any old fare tickets and tokens by mail or in person at Laketran headquarters located at 555 Lakeshore Blvd in Painesville Township, Ohio and receive new tickets compatible with the fare boxes. For Phase II, Laketran staff will be at all Park-n-Ride locations on the mornings of June 14-16 to expedite the exchange of tickets for commuters and facilitate a smooth transition.

Service Restoration Hinges on Passage of Transportation Bill

28 May 2010 12:44

Laketran’s Service Restoration Hinges on Passage of Transportation Bill

Lake County, OH ----The dramatic cuts in local public transportation services put into effect last July could be reversed pending passage of the Public Transportation Preservation Act of 2010 (S. 3412). The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced the bill, which authorizes $2 billion in emergency transit operating assistance for systems across the country. Eighty percent of those funds would be allocated through the Section 5307 Urbanized Area formula program. This would place Laketran in a position to potentially garner almost $1 million in operating assistance – enough to restore all of the service cuts implemented in July 2009.

The service reductions in July of 2009 included the elimination of all local fixed route and complementary paratransit services Monday through Friday after 7 pm and on Saturdays. The reductions also included elimination of all services on Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day, effectively leaving many working commuters and students stranded on those dates. The service cuts left countless numbers of seniors and individuals with disabilities unable to access basic necessities such as groceries and medical care, and eliminated quality of life socialization and recreational access as well. In addition to the service cuts, Laketran reduced operating expenses by 13%, implemented salary and wage freezes, and layoffs of essential union and non-union employees.

“While we strongly urge our senators to support this bill, we have to acknowledge that this funding must serve as a bridge for future authorization for transit so that we are not left with only a band-aid solution,” cautions Laketran Board President Kevin Malecek. “This legislative initiative should be the springboard to the passage of a multi-year, comprehensive transportation bill with sustainable funding for the services that this bill can potentially restore.”

Laketran, like all Ohio systems, has faced reductions in funding from the State of Ohio by 75 percent over the last ten years – a funding blow exacerbated by reductions in sales tax revenues in 2009 and the first half of 2010 due to the sluggish economy. When Laketran cut services in 2009, the agency also implemented a fare increase and began pursuing non-traditional revenue dollars such as Medicaid and waiver reimbursements, and program grant dollars. “While the fare increase and these alternative revenue streams have helped Laketran stave off further service reductions, they are not capable of generating enough revenue to restore the services that are vital to so many of our senior citizens, students and working families to be able to get to work, education and basic services each day,” commented Jurkowski. “Sustainable funding would allow us to meet local and national goals for sustainable development and lifestyles in our community.”

Restoration of services would not only mean job access for many citizens, but restoration of jobs for laid off union employees as well. “Laketran drivers take great pride in providing professional and compassionate service to our citizens, especially our seniors and those with disabilities. Being able to bring people back to jobs that they need and enjoy is a win-win for the community,” notes Rich DeGraff, Chairman of the UAW, Local 1834. “Service cuts hurt everyone, but most often those who need our help the most. Laketran drivers are often the eyes and ears in our community, not only ensuring our passengers get to their destinations safely, but keeping watch over our most frail citizens.”

The Public Transportation Preservation Act of 2010 is co-sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Robert Menedez (D-NJ), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Laketran urges all citizens to contact their senators in support of this bill.

Laketran Receives 14th Consecutive Clean Audit

27 Jul 2010 12:49

Laketran, the regional transit authority for Lake County, Ohio has received a clean audit for the fourteenth consecutive year. Laketran received an unqualified opinion, the best opinion available for this type of audit, from James G. Zupka, CPA, Inc. Zupka is contracted by the State of Ohio to conduct this audit and issue an opinion, which is subject to review by the Auditor of State.

"We are very proud of our track record of fourteen years of unqualified opinions with no material findings," notes Laketran General Manager Ray Jurkowski. "Our staff and leadership team works closely to be prudent and thorough in our financial practices. These audit findings confirm that we are being conscientious stewards of our public funding that comes from our local sales tax levy, the State of Ohio, federal programs and our riders."

The audit covered the 2009 fiscal year, ending in December. The agency's annual operating budget in 2009 was $12.04 million.

Laketran First in Ohio to Introduce Smart Cards for Fare Payment

13 Aug 2010 13:23

Laketran, the Regional Transit Authority for Lake County, Ohio is the first system in Ohio to introduce the use of Smart Cards for fare payment.

The Smart Card option, which becomes effective on Monday, August 16, 2010, allows passengers to pre-load their fare cards then pay their fare when boarding by simply tapping the electronic chip in the card to the Smart Card icon on the fare box. “We are excited to be the first system in Ohio to introduce this convenience option for our passengers,” notes Laketran General Manager Ray Jurkowski, “Over the past few years, we have focused on making Laketran easier to use and accessible to all of our citizens by improving our passenger amenities such as our ride guides and developing our web-site to be customer-focused to quickly access to the most frequently searched information.”

The Smart Card is made of a durable plastic thereby providing the passenger with a long-term reusable card and reducing the number of paper fare media used by the transit agency. Jessie Baginski, Laketran’s director or communications, anticipates the greatest number of users will come from the commuter express and local fixed route services. “Our data on riders from these two services tell us they have the highest frequency of use and would be most likely to desire a card that can be reused. Saving money is one of the top reasons our riders use transit. The Smart Card can be pre-loaded with up to $200 at any time, allowing our passengers great flexibility to plan and budget for their transportation needs.”

A unique feature of the Smart Card is the option to purchase lost card protection when the card is first purchased. This protection allows the rider to report a lost or stolen card to Laketran and have their card replaced with the balance at the time of deactivation to a new card. “Although the incidence of lost monthly passes or multi-ride tickets has been very low over the years, this protection plan offers a measure of security for our Smart Card users,” notes Baginski, “As each Smart Card has a unique ID when issued, Laketran has the ability to deactivate the card from the system at the end of a day, and allows us to replace the rider’s card with the remaining balance.”

Laketran introduced an electronic fare collection system across all of its buses beginning in May 2010 on Dial-a-Ride, and in June 2010 on fixed routes and commuter express services. “This system has helped us to improve our fare collections,” states Jurkowski, “Of equal importance is the comments we have received from our passengers about the ease of use and convenience of this system. The Smart Cards are another step in improved accessibility, mobility and choice for all of our citizens.”

For more information, please contact Laketran 440-350-1008.

Commuter Challenge Works for the Region

18 Aug 2010 11:27

Commuter Challenge 2010 helped Northeast Ohio save 23,856 miles of driving!

From July 17-31, commuters were asked to try alternate transportation, including biking, walking, transit, carpooling or telecommuting. Participants won baseball tickets, Mr. Hero sandwich gift certificates, and other prizes.

Corporate participants included the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, University Circle Inc., the City of Cleveland, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Cleveland Clinic, CH2M Hill, Key Bank, the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, ALCOA, the Cleveland MetroParks, the Cleveland Botanical Garden, ParkWorks, and others from the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

Together, these participants kept 22,732 lbs of air pollution from entering the air! “That was very important during such a hot summer,” said Amy Wainright, Environmental Planner at NOACA.

Feedback included survey comments such as “Both my husband and I bike as much as possible.” “Thanks for promoting cycling and walking.” “Wish there were more public transportation options.” “I like riding the bus; it saves me so much money.” “I use Cleveland RTA and wish they hadn't cut service.” “I love Laketran.”

Commuter Challenge is an initiative of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency’s (NOACA) Air Quality Programs in coordination with Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and Laketran. It runs during the last two weeks of July each year.

For more information, call NOACA at 216-241-2414 and ask for the Air Quality staff.