"We want better transit service."

That was the dominant message from three hours of public comment at last night's meeting of the Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force in Cleveland. Dozens of riders of Greater Cleveland RTA, Laketran, and other local transit systems called for the state to provide greater support to transit — to give people an affordable alternative to driving cars, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the environment. Transit systems need help more than ever, as they are handling increasing numbers of riders at a time of skyrocketing fuel costs.

Citizens also called on the Ohio Department of Transportation to support cycling as a real form of transportation, not just a recreational amenity. And they advocated for high-speed passenger rail service to connect cities in the Midwest. A greater emphasis on multi-modal transportation solutions was even supported by the local representative of the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Go here to learn more about the state's Transportation Priorities Task Force and to leave your comments online. The next public meeting of the task force is June 23 in Akron.

Go here to join our online forum about transportation priorities in Northeast Ohio.