Ohio city may lose federal road funding over refusal to install bus stops

By Robbie Webber
The city of Beavercreek, OH, a suburb of Dayton, could lose $10.7 million in federal transportation funding for roads because of its refusal to install bus stops requested by the RTA near a large mall. FHWA gave the city 90 days to take steps to comply with their request that the city approve a stop application process that did not violate federal discrimination guidelines.
In March 2011, the city council voted unanimously to refuse a request by the RTA to install three bus stops that would serve the Fairfield Mall. The closest current stop is 1.5 miles away, and requires that transit riders cross the I-695 overpass and walk along a busy 6-lane road with no sidewalks. In July 2012, the council revised their bus stop application for “high traffic areas” to require surveillance cameras, closer spacing of stops, and a payment from the RTA for all police calls. The council cited problems at stops in other commercial areas, yet federal investigators found no evidence these criteria were necessary.
The federal investigation was triggered by a 252-page complaint filed by Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton (LEAD) in August 2011 alleging the council’s vote against adding the bus stops in March 2011 was discriminatory and prevented some minority workers from obtaining jobs or seeking medical treatment in those areas.
The full FHWA ruling can be found here.
Robbie Webber is a Senior Associate at SSTI.