Ohio lacks complete transit system

The May 1 Dispatch editorial titled “Area transportation at the crossroads” missed the point concerning the future of transportation in this region.

I lived in Portland, Oregon, for 40 years and worked in transportation for more than 20 of those years. I saw first- hand the expansion of the region’s transit system from the first light rail line in the early 1980s to five separate lines with more than 90 rail stations with millions of dollars in private- sector investments along those lines. At the same time, the region built a streetcar system, suburban commuter rail line, and an extensive bus and bicycle network.

Today, almost 50 percent of daily rush hour trips into and out of downtown Portland is by transit, which has made the city a better place to live and work.

The Dispatch editorial stated, “Central Ohio’s public transit system and its airports are vital to its ability to move people and commerce, attract and retain business and jobs, and maintain this region’s competitive quality of life.” I agree, but The Dispatch missed the point by not stating that with the projected growth of the region we will not be able to move the thousands of people needed by relying on a “intelligent- transportation system” and the existing bus system and/or expanding freeways, but rather should complement that new technology with investing millions in a more complete transit system that will serve the growing population.

The Cleveland Avenue Bus Rapid Transit line is the first step in building a modern transit system. Growing cities across the country realize the need for an extensive transit system to attract and retain businesses and residents and provide a quality of life not solely dependent on the car. Leadership must emerge soon on this issue or it will be too late.

John Rist Worthington