Rock band from Cleveland sings about public transportation

CLEVELAND — Ohio has a long way to go when it comes to public transportation.

A report from the Ohio Department of Health found that 27 of the state’s 88 counties have no public transit service at all, and while 80% of Ohio residents have access to public transportation, that doesn’t mean they use it. 

A study from the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission found that nearly 84% of Clevelanders live within a quarter mile of public transportation but only around 9% take advantage of it.

A group of young people are trying to change that through their music. They formed a band called “The Frans.” Their name and logo are a play on the word “Transit,” and they’re trying to make public transportation more appealing.

Cameron Mays is a Cleveland native as well as a singer and guitar player for The Frans.

“In America, I think there’s a stigma that you have to be lower class or poor to take public transit,” Mays said.

The “Ride the Bus” singer said he hopes to break negative stereotypes surrounding public transportation.

“It’s a generally good services to get where you want to go, and it addresses the climate issue head on,” he said. “You’re not taking a car. Your’re taking transportation.” 

The 23-year-old said he draws inspiration from music icons like Chuck Berry.

“You know early rock tunes were all about driving around in cars and stuff like that,” he said.

Mays hopes to romanticize public transportation in a similar way for a new generation.

The band will host several album release concerts throughout the state in March.