Ride Right to be used if Perrysburg transit levy passes

Gil Lutz gets out of a Ride Right van in 2012 when the service was briefly used after the Toledo Area Regional Transit was removed. Ride Right was used from Sept. 22 to Nov. 27 for public transportation in Perrysburg.

The Perrysburg city council decided Tuesday if voters approve the transit levy May 7 the city will use Ride Right of Lake St. Louis, Mo., for its public transportation services.

The city used Ride Right briefly after the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority was removed in Perrysburg.

Council decided against looking into outside bids for transportation services because Ride Right "provided high-quality service and demonstrated itself to be a valuable provider," according to an ordinance approved by council unanimously.

Ride Right was used from Sept. 22 to Nov. 27 last year after TARTA services ended in the city. TARTA ceased service in Perrysburg in September after voters passed a referendum in March last year to withdraw from that agency. 

Last November, a 1.45-mill tax was narrowly defeated, falling by 183 votes out of more than 11,600 ballots cast. That tax would have funded three Ride Right vehicles for a call-a-ride, a fixed route, and a separate paratransit service.

Council member J. Todd Grayson had the Ride Right ordinance read in full at the Tuesday council meeting to show the council and audience why the city should go forward with Ride Right without going through a bidding process. 

Going through bidding and proposals would create a time delay and expense that the public does not need, according to council.

The city will look to begin the transportation service as soon as possible if the levy passes. The ordinance said Ride Right could begin services before the approved taxes are due for collection in 2014.

The five-year, 0.8-mill levy that would cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $4 per month.

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com or 419-356-8786 or on Twitter at @mthompson25.