GCRTA and partners plan “Don’t ‘X’ Out Public Transportation” campaign

On Monday, Sept. 19 and Tuesday Sept. 20, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority passengers may notice something very different about their commute on the roads in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Large red Xs will be painted on RTA vehicles to send the message: Don't ‘X' Out Public Transportation. Organized by GCRTA, the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Ohio Contractors Association and GCRTA customers, two days of events will highlight what federal proposed cuts of 30 percent to transportation would look like. More info on what all agencies participating around the U.S. are doing can be found here at www.supporttransit.org. On Monday, Sept. 19, at 1:30 p.m. at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center (2110 Prospect Ave.) join the GCTRA CEO and General Manager Joseph Calabrese, alongside ATU President William Nix and fellow GCRTA employees paint buses with the large red Xs, preparing for the national event. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, at noon at Public Square, the Ohio Contractors Association, which represents public works caretakers and infrastructure, including more than 116,200 miles of roads, 42,000 bridges and miles of water, sewer, energy and communication lines, will join GCRTA, ATU and public transit customers for a rally highlighting what the Red ‘X's signify in cuts to all transportation funding. "The transportation bill affects almost everyone, our public transit customers and everyone who uses our roads, bridges and highways," said Calabrese. "We're glad to be here with the Ohio Contractors Association to highlight the need to keep funding transportation in the future."