Ever since President Obama signed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on February 17, 2009, the benefits of this legislation have slowly been arriving in the towns and cities where TWU members live and work.

TWU Administrative Vice President Susan Resch, the union's Transit Division Director, is pleased that the government money is "aiding our members, working men and women who need a boost during these difficult economic times."

Local 208 in Columbus, Ohio has been an early beneficiary of the stimulus funding, which has added or preserved scores of jobs. The public has also gained from improved service.

According to Ken Rawls, who has been serving as Acting President of Local 208, the government money allowed COTA, the local transit agency, to completely refurbish a closed depot and return it to 24-7 service. The rededication of the Fields Avenue facility was a major event, drawing U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Mayor Michael Coleman and other dignitaries.

According to Rawls, the other major depot, McKinley Avenue, also operates around the clock, but only five days a week, so getting the Fields Avenue facility back was a major boost for the transit system. The newly renovated bus storage and maintenance facility occupies a 275,130-sf building. The facility accommodates 180 coaches, 12 vehicle maintenance bays and two bus washes. Two of the three phases of the project were completed in September of 2009, with the remainder scheduled by the end of the year.

Rawls estimates that reopening Fields Avenue, which was closed for four years, has already added 20 jobs for Bus Maintainers and 50 for Operators, with possibly more on the way as COTA expands service.

Local 212 members in Columbus are also benefitting from stimulus funds as the city has opened a new paratransit center. Local 212 represents the drivers, but TWU hopes to convince management to bring maintenance work, currently contracted-out, back in shop. International Administrative Vice President Hubert Snead, COPE Director and a former Local 208 President, was impressed with the makeover of the Fields Avenue facility and predicted it would benefit TWU members and the community for years to come.

"It underlined for me the importance of our COPE contributions," he said. "Those dollars and the lobbying we do ensure that the politicians take the kind of actions that will create and preserve jobs, as well as make life better for those who rely on public transportation."