RTA Circulator Update
Lakewood Mayor Ed FitzGerald at the October 5th Lakewood City Council meeting said regarding efforts to revive the discontinued Lakewood Circulator Bus service that:
- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit System (RTA) has decommissioned its Circulator equipment; however, the buses are not being decommissioned at once, so he is still waiting to acquire free Circulator buses from RTA.
- The Mayor is bothered by the fact that RTA is asking for an assessment by RTA for its proposed one-day Circulator-replacement service.
- He has not ruled out the City of Lakewood doing something on its own (as far as having its own Circulator service).
- Although Lakewood has its own mechanics, there are hidden costs involved in running a Circulator bus route.
- For Lakewood to run its own Circulator system, start-up money is needed which would have to be made up later.
- There is a possibility for Lakewood to run its own system making a profit or at least breaking even.
- Approaching institutional users and beneficiaries of a Circulator route in Lakewood such as Lakewood Hospital, Giant Eagle and other Lakewood businesses for funds is another possibility.
- A super-Circulator route covering Lakewood and West Park may be feasible, which could have a combined annual ridership of about one million.
- RTA’s decision to eliminate the Circulators goes not only against the needs and desires of the people, but also against common sense.
Mayor Fitzgerald emphasized that the City of Lakewood is not giving up and neither should each and every Lakewood resident.
The "Riders to Bring Back the Daily Lakewood Circulator" which meets at the Lakewood Public Library, continues to fight to bring back a Lakewood circulator busing service. More people need to actively help our efforts to bring back the daily Lakewood circulator to improve the chances of success, by circulating petitions, making phone calls, writing letters or doing other things, working together in an organized way. Past petitions about the Lakewood circulator were to RTA, not to the Mayor and City Council, so everybody who wants a daily Lakewood circulator should sign this new petition. Petitions and blank petition forms are available at both Lakewood East and West Senior Centers lobbies at 12400 and 16024 Madison Avenue. Or, call 216-221-2724 to be sent a blank form in the mail or for any further questions or comments. The petition reads:
"To the Mayor and City Council of Lakewood, Ohio - We urge you to promptly operate a daily Lakewood circulator bus since RTA eliminated it September 20, 2009. It is still needed. Lakewood's Mayor stated he is getting a few free circulator buses from RTA and thinks he can run them at a profit or break even. He told the audience at the end of the October 5, 2009 City Council meeting, which the public can hear on City Council's audio-recording of that meeting, a public record."