SORTA plans in works...sorta

Some ambitious plans are in the works to revamp the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA).

But the changes aren't anywhere near to the point of rubber hitting road (pun intended).

In fact, it may be still be quite awhile before the city and the county even agree on exactly far-reaching the overhaul should be, let alone getting the plan ready to present to surrounding counties, and the masses served by mass-transit.

Here's the deal. Hamilton County Commission President Todd Portune is on a small group of city, county and SORTA folk who are working on this re-organization. Last week Portune told the Enquirer about the plans in the works (read Enquirer story). Then, on Monday he outlined in a two-page memo to his colleagues, Commissioners David Pepper and Pat DeWine, exactly what the "SORTA Revision Process" would entail.

Portune said he thinks its "time to test the water" and see if this is what the full city council, county commission and SORTA board were envisioning when they began the re-organization talks six months ago.

But some of Todd's plans (like light rail and a high-speed rail line between Cincinnati and Dayton) may stretch a little beyond what others in the revision group are interested in tackling right now.

Said Councilman John Cranley (he's part of the re-organization group) last week: "If it wasn’t for David and Todd’s approach, this change would never have happened. Hamilton County is willing to be partners with us and they are very progressive."

But....

"My first goal is to make sure we have the highest level of service in the city. I don’t see light rail on the horizon."

SORTA board member Melody Sawyer Richardson (not part of the re-organization group)came to the Monday meeting because she read about it in the paper. She said (speaking as a resident, not on behalf of the board) that the first goal should be to protect the existing system and the people who use it. That said, "regionalism is fabulous," she noted. And she thinks considering different modalities (like trains and trolleys) is important.

So we'll see where how it boils down in a few weeks. City Council will take up the issue at some point. It meets again in two weeks. County Commissioners said they'll schedule a work session in three weeks on the issue.

Read Portune's memo: sorta.pdf