View WRTA’s First-Ever Annual Report
This is the first-ever WRTA Annual Report. Whether you are a rider, resident, or community leader, you are a stakeholder in the Western Reserve Transit Authority. This Annual Report is meant to keep you informed about the exciting growth and evolution of public transportation in your hometown. Download WRTA’s 2023 Annual Report!
Congratulations to the 24 Valley Valentines Winners!
In celebration of Ohio Loves Transit Week and Valentine’s Day, WRTA turned the tables and asked Valley residents “Who do you love?”. 24 lucky winners were able to answer that question in a big way with a “Valley Valentine.”
Congratulations to the following winners!
Display Your Valentine Message With Valley Valentines
Ohio Loves Transit Week, a campaign of the Ohio Public Transit Association, is the same week as Valentine’s Day, so WRTA is celebrating by turning the tables and asking Valley residents “Who do you love?” You will be able to answer that question in a big way with a “Valley Valentine.”
A dozen lucky Valentines who fill out the form below, indicating to whom they want to send their love, will have a huge Valentine with their names created and shown on the giant video display that looms 35 feet above Federal Station in downtown Youngstown. In addition, the winning Valentines will be shared on WRTA’s website, social media, and in a TV spot.
To be eligible to have your Valley Valentine shown on our Federal Station video display, fill out and submit the form below. 12 Valley Valentines will be chosen in a random drawing. Only one entry per person is permitted. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, February 7. Winners will be announced and contacted on Thursday, February 8.
Be sure to indicate which one of the four designs you would like to use for your Valentine.
DESIGN A
DESIGN B
DESIGN C
DESIGN D
Entries are now closed for this campaign. Winners will be notified today, February 8. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Happy Holidays!
WRTA will be closed on Monday, December 25 for Christmas Day and the following Monday, January 1 for New Year’s Day.
WRTA wishes you a happy holiday!
Nominate Non-Profits for WRTA’s Holiday Lights Campaign
This holiday season, Western Reserve Transit Authority is once again putting the spotlight on organizations that Light Up the Valley all year long with the 2023 WRTA Holiday Lights Campaign!
Twelve Mahoning County organizations will be chosen from the nominees will be honored at a special event on Wednesday, November 15th. The event will be streamed on Facebook Live this year. The honored organizations will be featured on WRTA TV and social media as well as signs on WRTA buses and the giant digital sign above Federal Station. Two drawings will also take place at the event — one drawing for a winning organization to receive a year-long social media campaign and the other drawing for a winning organization to receive a $ 3,000 TV Advertising campaign sponsored by WKBN.
Thank you for submitting your Holiday Lights nominations. Winners will be announced and contacted soon. Please check our website and social media for a list of the winners.
Our Website Has Been Updated!
WRTA has been in the process of making updates to the website to better serve our riders and the community. We are excited to announce that the improved website has now been taken live!
When visiting the website, you will see adjustments to the overall design, a few new pages added, and existing pages updated. Be sure to check out our new sections on the home page as well — Zero-Emissions Future, Autonomous Vehicles Project, and Community Connections!
In addition, we also added a new feature to simplify and streamline the process of becoming ADA-accessible and compliant using AI, machine learning, and computer vision.
Go check out our updated website now!
Effective Sept. 8, Warren Service Will Be Discontinued
In March 2020, Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) was awarded a grant by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to fund a demonstration of fixed route service in the City of Warren.
Subsequently, the ODOT grant has expired and ODOT did not renew the funds needed to maintain the service.
The last day of service for the Warren routes, 70 Southeast, 71 North, 73 West, 74 Elm and 76 North Jackson will be Sept. 8, 2023.
This change does not affect the service on the 28 Warren Express. This route will continue to operate and connect the City of Warren with the City of Youngstown.
For possible alternative transportation, please contact Trumbull County Transit at 330-675-2873.
For more information call the WRTA office at 330-744-8431.
Schedule Your Late Night Rides with WRTA’s On Demand App
WRTA announces a new way to schedule your ride for curb-to-curb late-night service. Download the WRTA On Demand app to book your trip from 9:15 PM – Midnight, Monday – Friday within the Mahoning County Fixed Route service area. WRTA’s Late Night service is a safe, convenient, and free way to get around late at night and the On Demand app makes it easy to book a trip!
How to Register & Book a Trip:
Step 1:
Visit the App Store or Google Play Store and download the WRTA On Demand app
Step 2:
Create an account by entering your phone number, first/last name, and email address
Step 3:
Choose your pickup location, destination, and how many passengers will be on the trip
Step 4:
Decide if you want to book your trip now or schedule it for later
Step 5:
Get picked up at your location and track your ride in real time!
For questions, please call Customer Service — 330.744.8431 Option 3
Canfield Fair Bus Schedule
WRTA will once again be offering bus service to and from the Canfield Fair this year! Remember, riding WRTA is FREE!
Click to view a larger image
WRTA Announces Winners of “Art on the Move” Campaign
90 individuals registered to be selected for one of just nine slots in the Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) Art On The Move Campaign. Now the names of the nine winners are being revealed for the first time.
2023 WRTA ART ON THE MOVE CAMPAIGN WINNERS
- Gary Balog
- Nicholas Begnaud
- Kendra Blake
- Michael Flood
- Daniel Madeline
- Laura Marciella
- Ron Moore
- Gabriel Pagan
- Leah Sydney
The artwork of the nine will be featured on a giant mural on the side of a WRTA bus, like a mobile gallery displaying the talent of local artists.
KICK-OFF EVENT/ARTWORK BUS REVEAL
The artwork on the side of the WRTA bus will be unveiled and the nine winning artists will be recognized at a special outdoor event at DeBartolo Commons at the Southern Park Mall.
The winning artists receive a $100 Visa gift card, and their individual artwork will also be highlighted in TV spots, social media, and on the giant digital display at Federal Station in downtown Youngstown.
Entrants were asked to illustrate the “positive impact of public transportation,” but other than that were free to use whatever medium and whatever subject they chose.
“There are so many talented artists in the Valley,” says Dean Harris, WRTA Executive Director “We wanted to highlight their skill, as well as their unique perspective.”
JUDGES/CO-CHAIRPERSONS
The co-chairpersons of the campaign also served as judges to select the winning nine entries. The co-chairs of the 2023 campaign are:
- Joyce Mistovich, Director of Education, The Butler Institute of American Art
- Kevin Willis, Principal Architect, Strollo Architects
- Patrick McGlone, Mural Artist/Owner, The Overall Paint Co.
Thank you to everyone who submitted their artwork!