Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur delivered news of a $7.7 million federal investment in transportation and jobs in the historic south end of Toledo. The Congresswoman was joined by
officials of TARTA and the Toledo Lucas County Port Authority when she announced
the federal funding to construct a new facility for the Toledo Area Regional
Paratransit Service (TARPS) at a site across from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Plaza, Toledo’s train station. Kaptur secured $7.7 million in federal awards for the new TARPS center, including $6.27 million in the federal transportation bill.
“TARPS plays an
indispensable role in the life of our community,” said Congresswoman
Kaptur. “And with the senior citizen population growing, transportation
service is essential for citizens with disabilities to continue leading
independent lives.”
TARPS provides service on a reservation basis for area citizens who are
unable to access TARTA fixed-route transportation, usually either
because of a disability or the inability to travel to or from a bus
stop. Riders pay $2 per trip.
“TARPS is a visible symbol of a caring community,” said Congresswoman
Kaptur. “It acts as a safety net for those persons in our community who
do not have the functional capability to ride TARTA’s regular buses.”
“Today is a dream come true, nearly 15 years in the making. With the
help of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, we first removed the
old Page Dairy and modernized our passenger rail station-- now Ohio's
largest—and began to prepare our region for future high-speed rail. Our
goal to wrap other transportation and additional activities around the
site and secure good jobs in the near South End comes closer to
fruition with this federal investment. With this TARPS hub, as well as
a future Metropark now being planned adjacent to the river behind this
site, this historic district will become a center for water, rail, and
consolidated overland transport,” Kaptur continued.
The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority assisted Kaptur and TARTA in
acquiring the site and clearing it for construction. The Port will
continue as a partner in the project as the owner and operator of the
adjacent Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza.
“This is an excellent example of the reach of our Port Authority in
concert with local officials to improve our local economy. The Port
Authority celebrates the cohesive efforts of Congresswoman Kaptur, the
City of Toledo, Lucas County and the Port Authority to bring this
project to reality,” said Paul Toth, Interim President, Toledo-Lucas
County Port Authority.
Demand for TARPS service is growing at a rate of approximately 15
percent annually, Kaptur said. Approximately 2,600 active TARPS riders
made a total of approximately 122,000 trips in 2007 and projected
ridership this year is 140,000 trips.
Kaptur noted that every $1 investment in public transportation
generates approximately $6 in economic return for the community, not
even counting the benefit of reduced dependence on imported oil and a
smaller carbon footprint for the area.
