Perrysburg transit still up in the air - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Perrysburg transit still up in the air

It's not what Perrysburg passengers want to hear, but it's the truth.

"We're basically out of transit at this point," says Todd Grayson, a city council member. "We've got a few days left. Between those few days and March sixth, there will be nothing."

Public transit could stop anytime between this Sunday and the day the board of election certifies the vote.  Many levy supporters believe voters didn't fully understand the tax measure or the consequences of not passing it.

"If they don't know what the levy is all about then they vote against it because they don't understand it," says Dolores Howard, who says there was a lot of ignorance surrounding the levy. 

"Anybody who is educated on this issue voted for it," Grayson told 13abc. "I think there was just a lot of misinformation and people just didn't understand what they were voting for or against."

What happens between now and March is still a concern for riders. City leaders have contacted the current service provider, Ride Right LLC, to see if anything can be worked out between now and March.  The hard part is that service would cost money, but where the money would come from is unknown.  Although supportive, some residents cautioned leaders about the prospect of using tax dollars to keep it going.

"My caution to council is you have to respect the wishes of the taxpayers at this point and then do a better job of informing the voters so they can make a decision the next time if they choose to put another levy on," says city resident, Mark Hummer.

City leaders are still looking for a way to keep service going but warn this could be the end of the road for transit.  They urge levy supporters to contact their local representative to see if any state or federal funds are available to keep van service in place for the time being.