June 28, 2013. The Dayton Business Journal.
Greater Dayton RTA is getting a boost from the feds in its efforts to bring bus service to The Mall at Fairfield Commons.
The Federal Highway Administration in a letter this week threatened to pull millions of dollars in funding to the city of Beavercreek, which it says violated federal civil rights laws by denying an RTA application to install bus stops along Pentagon Boulevard. In the letter, the agency said a complaint filed by Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton was valid and that African Americans have “faced discriminatory impact” as a result of the denial.
Mark Donaghy, executive director of RTA, told me Friday morning the entire fight has been about connecting local residents to jobs.
“Giving people access to employment is the key to changing their lives, especially those reliant on public support for basic human needs,” Donaghy said.
RTA — which provides more than 9 million rides a year — has been fighting for years to get bus service to the mall, but faced roadblocks at every turn.
“Our focus at this point will be to support the effort to achieve compliance as a partner with the city,” Donaghy said. “We look forward to that happening as soon as possible.”
The Federal Highway Administration recommended the city take several steps to get into compliance — including implementing a transit stop application process that doesn’t violate federal discrimination laws — and suggested it may suspend or pull funding to Beavercreek if it fails to comply within 90 days.
The agency also threatened to turn the matter over to the Department of Justice.
The city says the letter does not find any intentional discrimination, said Steve McHugh, the city’s attorney.
“Pending further review of those design focused recommendations and analysis of those recommendations, the city will have no further comment at this time,” McHugh said.
