Perrysburg passengers worried about future service - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Perrysburg passengers worried about future service

Gil Lutz and Derek O'Neal use the Ride Right shuttle service nearly everyday.

"I use it for everything," says Gil Lutz, a co-founder of Perrysburg4Transit, a group that worked to get support for the levy. He uses the bus daily, if not multiple times a day.  "I'm quite active and that's what I use to get around."

It's the only public transportation in Perrsyburg, and it doesn't cost them a penny.  But Tuesday night, the measure that would have kept service running failed by about 180 votes.  That leaves Gil, Derek and other riders uncertain about the future.

"I'm not sure if I'll be able to get to work or not," says Derek O'Neal, another group co-founder and another Ride Right passenger.  "I'll have to depend on friends and family for rides to work and that's going to be very difficult."

Perrsyburg city leaders call the situation unfortunate, and say they're exploring options for the future. They released this statement: "It is unfortunate that voters defeated a 1.45 Mill levy for public transportation.  We felt we had a quality and economical system in place to provide public transportation for our community but voters didn't see it that way and they are the ones that should make that decision.  Council will begin evaluating our options for the future starting with a special Health, Sanitation and Public Utilities Committee meeting.  As of this moment, public transportation in Perrysburg will continue until the Wood County Board of Elections certifies the results of the election."

Gil and Derek are grateful service is intact for now, but know it's only a temporary solution to what could be a major disservice in their everyday lives.

"Our 'Perrysburg4Transit' group is going to see what options we have to get the message out that we need public transportation," says O'Neal.

There will be a special Health, Sanitation and Public Utilities Committee meeting on Thursday, November 8 at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 201 W. Indiana Avenue. 

To get more information about the transit group, visit www.perrysburg4transit.com .