Transportation director advocates for funding

TIFFIN — Local transportation non-profit director Mary Habig advocated for Crawford, Huron and Seneca counties funding needs at the nation's capital during a legislative event last month. As a non-profit transportation organization, NCAT's federal funding must be matched dollar for dollar– with 50% of funding sourced locally and 50% of funding provided federally. Funding is by far the largest issue in rural communities, according to Habig. "I was there to advocate for an 20% match instead, likewise to that of our capitol repairs which already use an 80/20 match," said Habig. This change would be beneficial to the organization by creating further opportunities to expand routes, hire more employees and more. "We haven't lost any federal funding amongst all of the budget cuts we have seen from the federal government – for which I am grateful, but like always every little bit helps us," noted Habig. NCAT recently announced it will be offering a new route that will connect Tiffin and Fostoria, providing a needed route for people in those communities to travel to work, hospitals and other locations. Beyond the need for funding, Habig also emphasized the critical role public transit plays in connecting workers to jobs — an issue she addressed at the state level. One of the issues Habig was advocating for was the Workforce Mobility Partnership Program, which was removed from the Senate's version of House Bill 54 despite being included in the House's budget. "About 50% of public transit riders are using it to get to work," she told lawmakers, highlighting the program's importance in helping Ohioans secure and retain employment. While large companies like Amazon, Facebook, Intel, Honda, and LG have announced major expansions in Ohio, leaving many workers—especially in rural areas— potentially struggling to access reliable transportation. "The Workforce Mobility Partnership Program is essential for connecting workers to employers, especially in rural areas," Habig said. "Funding like this makes sure people can get to work safely and on time by increasing routes, improving connections, and making transportation more accessible." Thanks to a $410,000 grant, renovations have recently been completed to NCAT's second facility in Seneca County – a bus storage garage in Fostoria to serve as overflow for their main facility, as well as to store vehicles from the Seneca County Opportunity Center. "This is just one example of what can be achieved when we are given the means to do it," shared Habig. The facility will open up travel routes between the two cities twice a day, five times a week. NCAT remains committed to advancing community transportation initiatives at both the local and national levels, providing residents with access to essential mobility services. "Attending the CTAA Legislative Fly-In was a valuable opportunity to share NCAT's mission and the needs of our communities with key decision-makers," Habig concluded. "Advocating for policies that support safe, reliable, and affordable public transportation is essential to strengthening transit services in Crawford, Huron, and Seneca Counties."