DELAWARE — Delaware County Transit’s (DCRTA) 0.2% sales and use tax levy has failed in the 2026 midterm election, according to unofficial, final results from the Delaware County Board of Elections.
A total of 160 precincts voted on the levy, with 101,351 total votes:
- Votes against the levy — 62,022 (61.20%)
- Votes for the levy — 39,329 (38.80%)
The sales tax would have taxed 20 cents on a taxable $100 purchase, or about $1 on a taxable $500 purchase.
The levy would have supported a new line of service in Powell and Liberty Township, expanded existing services in the city of Delaware and Orange Township and grow the transportation system in other ways.
DCRTA Executive Director Andy Volenik previously said the levy would have netted the agency $10.5 million in a calendar year and provided the opportunity to “essentially triple our service in the next five years.”
Now, Volenik said he looking to refocus after the midterm outcome.
“Certainly it’s disappointing, but we absolutely respect the voters’ decision,” Volenik told Delaware Source. “We’re thankful for those who voted in favor of this levy.
“We look forward to being able to regroup and see what options would be more attractive to voters, to the county, to our stakeholders, to our riders, on how we can continue our service and look to grow our service in the years to come.”
Volenik said DCRTA’s board will ultimately make the decision on what’s next. However, he said the agency will continue to utilize the grants, contracts, fares and partnerships that it has in place already.
“But hopefully in the not too distant future, the board will look towards a future for sustainable funding,” he added.
“We’ll review everything and if those options are available and the board wishes to pursue them, we will absolutely look to do that,” he said. “The reality is we’re going to do our service.
“We start tomorrow at 4:30 in the morning, we’ll be there for the folks that rely on us to get to jobs, medical appointments and we look forward to having conversations with the board for what does the future look like.”
