MEDINA – Discussions about merging the bus services in Brunswick and Medina County seem to be back on track.

Medina County Administrator Scott Miller said legal representatives from Brunswick and the county are reviewing contract language that could complete the merger by the end of the year.

The contract negotiations were nudged forward after a conference call Nov. 30 involving representatives from Brunswick, Medina County, Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and the Federal Transit Administration. The merger is contingent on about $280,000 in federal funds being passed through RTA each year to operate the Brunswick Transit Alternative.

Miller said he has received some assurance that Medina County Public Transit would continue to receive the $280,000 federal subsidy if it takes over BTA, but he is still hoping that will be guaranteed in a contract agreement with RTA.

“We’re in contract negotiations with Brunswick and RTA,” Miller said. “That doesn’t mean there is a final agreement, though. The merger still depends on continued funding from RTA for the Brunswick service.”

Miller raised concerns about that funding stream several weeks ago when he said the RTA operating budget was under serious stress because of a projected loss of $18 million in sales tax revenue, due to a federal ruling that Ohio may no longer charge sales tax on Medicaid-managed care organizations.

MCPT has a contract to manage BTA operations that expiries Dec. 31. The city and county have been discussing a full merger of the two bus systems for over a year. County officials believe they would gain needed flexibility in their overall operating budget if they had more control of the RTA funds.

Brunswick residents could see some expansion of bus services but at a higher cost to residents, since MCPT fares are higher than those charged by BTA. The most significant improvement in services would be a new ADA bus route to pick up handicapped riders and free vouchers for eligible senior citizens.

Brunswick City Council’s Services and Utilities Committee recommended in September that the city move forward with the proposed merger. The full council must give its approval before the merger can proceed.

If council approves the merger, Brunswick Service Director Paul Barnett said the average resident will notice little or no change in service.

“The only thing that will change is who does the paperwork and maintains the buses,” he said.

Additionally, BTA rates will increase over time for able-bodied riders. The county is looking to bring the city’s fares in line with those that MCPT charges riders in Medina, Wadsworth and elsewhere around the county.

According to Barnett, MCPT has proposed raising BTA’s rates $1 across the board in 2017, which means adults and students will pay $1.50 per ride.

An additional 50-cent across-the-board increase has been proposed for 2018 as well.

Seniors pay 25 cents per ride on BTA, the costs of which would be subsidized once the merger takes place. As for adults and students, they currently pay 50 cents per ride.