On March 7, Laketran began our 2011 grassroots effort with a petition and post card campaign to encourage our stakeholders to ask our federal and state representative to increase funding levels so we could restore weeknight, holiday and Saturday service.

From March 7-March 10, Laketran collected over 1,000 signatures and distributed over 2,000 postcards addressed to 7 public officials including, State Representatives Ron Young and Lorraine Fende, Senator Tim Grendell, and Governor Kasich; and federal officials U.S. Representative Steven LaTourette and Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown.

On March 15, Laketran’s General Manager presented our federal representatives’ key staff members with petitions signed by 1,134 stakeholders and discussed a number of ways to generate additional funding to restore service. Two of the principal ways were to: (1) close a tax loophole and pass legislation that extends sales tax collections to online retailers involved with internet sales and (2) give local transit systems, like Laketran, the “flexibility” to use their “existing” federal funding to restore service.

By April 1, Laketran collected over 2,329 signatures from riders, Lake County agencies, friends, and family who share our vision of more public transportation for Lake County. A special thank you is extended to our community stakeholders: Neighboring, Mentor Senior Center, Lake County Housing Coalition, Breckenridge Village, and Crossroads for circulating the petition among their staff, board members and clients.

These updated petitions were sent to our state legislators in Columbus with a request to meet with them this month to discuss ways to secure more state funding for transit.

Now, the appeal for more financial resources has begun. The budget process promises to be a lengthy and difficult one at both the federal and state levels. Now more than ever we need your help to continue to write and call your state and federal legislators and share your personal stories why public transportation is important to you.

Your stories can make a difference. For our federal and state representatives to be successful in Congress and the Ohio General Assembly, you need to arm them with personal stories why public transit is important in getting you to work, healthcare, higher education, and shopping for essential goods and services.

Thank you for your continued support. With your continuing help we have a chance to succeed – without it, Laketran cannot prevail on its own. Below you will find resources to contact your state and federal representatives. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at 440-350-1012.