RTA Community Circulator Update

At last weeks Council Meeting Councilwoman Nickie Antonio asked City Hall to give a communications update on the current status of bringing Lakewood a "Shopper Day" bus service. Mayor Fitzgerald who has been leading the effort to press RTA in restoring the Lakewood circulator services was not in attendance. Nate Kelly of Planning and Development reported a contract was issued to RTA by the City the week before and they expect an answer by the end of this week. 

The contract asks for the Shopper Day to be run on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The route will be the same as the former RTA Community Circulator route, which makes a circle around Lakewood's entire Detroit and Madison Avenues, includes W. 117th St. and The Gold Coast to the far east of town, and Sloane Ave to the far west. As W. 117th St. coverage also benefits the City of Cleveland, City Hall negotiated with the City of Cleveland to share the cost of the $15,000 required by RTA to provide the service. The City of Cleveland is asking that the route include Giant Eagle and Target on W. 117th St., which was not part of the former Lakewood Circulator route.

Councilwoman Nickie Antonio also presented Council and City Hall with the idea of continuing to find ways to not only ensure the Shopper Day is implemented and successful, but also to explore creative ways to restore further circulator services. She touched briefly on the beginnings of research and resources being pursued to help alleviate the costs of running circulator buses. For example, as Madison Avenue Merchant Association Chair, I have gathered initial support from restaurants who produce plenty of vegetable oil waste and would be more than willing to donate it to Lakewood. These two restaurants actually have a biodiesel company come pick their waste up and are paid a nominal amount for it. Another resource is owner of Pet's General Store who is experienced in biodiesel use and conversions from an environmental interest. He would be thrilled to help Lakewood pursue such forward thinking prospects.

I addressed Council on more State of Ohio and ODOT findings in hopes of encouraging Lakewood to stay ahead of the game and understand the economic benefit a community circulator can provide our city. Councilwoman Antonio stated she has started discussions with Lakewood Chamber of Commerce as we start to understand the economic benefit that circulators provide to our local businesses. Councilpersons Bullock and Smith spoke out with interest and desire to be innovators and "trailblazers" in getting public transit right for our community. The subject has been referred to committee of Human and Health Services led by Nickie Antonio. I look forward to working with them on this. If you have resources or interest to contribute in ideas such as biodiesel or public transit I encourage you to contact Councilperson At-large Nickie Antonio at nickie@nickieantonio.com or 221-4421.

Thank you to the Mayor and his team, Councilpersons Antonio, Bullock, and Smith for recognizing that increased public transit options, such as a restored community circulator for Lakewood wouldn't just be a nice service we wish we could provide but a service that must be pursued to put Lakewood in the forefront of prosperity and economic benefit for its residents and businesses.