Christmas Eve Service
All Fixed Routes will run their regular schedules. However, there will be no Late Night Service on Christmas Eve.
Thanksgiving Day – November 26
Please be advised that WRTA will be closed and there will be no bus service on Thursday, November 26th in celebration of the holiday.
We here at WRTA sincerely hope that you and your family will have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!
Regular bus service will resume on Friday, November 27th.
Holiday Lights Campaign Will Honor Local Non-Profits
The COVID-19 pandemic means the Western Reserve Transit Authority will not be rolling out a Holiday Bus in 2020. But in lieu of that popular feature, WRTA will present the Holiday Lights campaign, co-sponsored by First National Bank and WKBN-TV27.
“All year long, WRTA Gives The Valley a Lift,” said Executive Director Dean Harris. “But there are many other organizations in Trumbull and Mahoning Counties who do the same. For this holiday season, we wanted to turn the spotlight on those organizations that Light Up The Valley 365 days a year with their many efforts to help those in need. The Holiday Lights campaign is our way of honoring them and encouraging everyone to support their efforts.”
Around Thanksgiving, signs highlighting various Valley non-profit organizations will begin appearing on the sides and backs of selected WRTA buses serving Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. They will also be featured on the WRTA website and on social media, with links to the organizations’ Donations pages.
Following our request, WRTA has received many nominations for organizations who would like to be a part of this campaign. Watch for our forthcoming announcement of the organizations that have been chosen.
New #80 Lordstown Express Route Debuts Aug. 31
Starting Monday, August 31, WRTA’s new #80 Lordstown Express bus will travel twice daily Monday through Friday to and from PurFoods, located at the corner of Mahoning Avenue and Bailey Road in Lordstown.
The #80 Lordstown Express morning run will leave downtown Youngstown’s Federal Station at 6:10 am Monday through Friday and arrive at PurFoods at 6:45 am. It will depart from PurFoods at 7:05 am and arrive back at Federal Station at 7:40 am.
The afternoon run of #80 Lordstown Express departs Federal Station at 2:10 pm, arriving at PurFoods at 2:45 pm. Employees whose shifts end at 3:00 can then catch the bus at 3:10 pm and return to Federal Station at 3:40 pm.
The evening run of this route leaves Federal Station at 6:10 pm and arrives at PurFoods at 6:45 pm. It then departs PurFoods at 7:05 pm, arriving at Federal Station at 7:40 pm.
The route is expected to be adapted to serve the TJX distribution facility in Lordstown once it begins operations.
A reminder that rides on all WRTA buses are free through June 30, 2021. Riders (except those using wheelchairs, walkers or canes) must board the bus through the rear door. Those with strollers must fold the stroller before boarding. Riders must wear a face covering in order to travel on WRTA buses.
For Early or Election Day Voting, WRTA Can Get You There!
If you’re planning to vote in the 2020 Election, there’s a WRTA bus that can help you do just that. Here are three different ways we can help you cast your vote.
EARLY VOTING
Now through Monday, November 2, you can beat the crowds on Election Day by Early Voting at the Mahoning County or Trumbull County Board of Elections.
The days and hours Early Voting is available can be seen at this page.
In Mahoning County: The 7-Glenwood bus runs every hour and stops near the Mahoning County Board of Elections.
In Trumbull County: The 28-Warren Express bus also runs every hour and stops at the intersection of Central Parkway Ave. SE and Youngstown Rd. SE (Rte. 422). If you’re coming from the Warren area, cross the street at the light and make the short walk to the Trumbull County Board of Elections. When returning, walk to the Rte. 422 at Central Parkway Ave. SE intersection and wait for the inbound 28-Warren Express bus.
VOTING ON ELECTION DAY (NOV. 3) USING FIXED ROUTE SERVICE
WRTA Fixed Route buses serve many polling places in Mahoning County and the City of Warren. Here’s how you can determine whether a Fixed Route bus can get you to your polling place.
If you don’t already know the location of your polling place, you can find out by entering your address at this link for Mahoning County, or this link for Trumbull County.
Using the Trip Planning feature of the myStop Mobile app, input your home address and the address of your polling place.
If a WRTA Fixed Route serves your polling place, you’ll see a list of the bus(es) you can take and departure times.
You can also plan this trip on our website by clicking here for the Online Trip Planner. Or call (330) 744-8431 for assistance.
VOTING ON ELECTION DAY (NOV. 3) USING ADA-ALL ACCESS OR COUNTYWIDE SERVICE
Here are additional options for those who cannot get to a polling place using WRTA Fixed Route service…
If your polling place is within our Fixed Route service area in Mahoning County or the City of Warren AND you are 65+ or ADA-eligible:
You can use WRTA’s ADA All-Access service to travel to and from any polling place in Mahoning County or the City of Warren that is within our Fixed Route service area. This door-to-door service must be scheduled in advance (up to 7 days before your trip), and you must apply for the service if you’re using it for the first time. See the ADA All-Access page on our website to learn more, or call (330) 744-8431 for more information.
If your polling place is located in Mahoning or Trumbull County but is outside of WRTA’s Fixed Route service area:
You can travel to and from your polling place by using WRTA’s Countywide service. This door-to-door service must be scheduled in advance (up to 7 days before your trip), and you must register for the service if you’re using it for the first time. See the Countywide page on our website to learn more, or call (330) 744-8431 for more information.
NOTE: We anticipate high demand for these services on Election Day, so it’s important to schedule your trip as much in advance as possible.
No Bus Service on 4th of July
Please be advised that WRTA will be closed and there will be no bus service on Saturday, July 4th in celebration of the holiday.
We here at WRTA sincerely hope that you and your family will have a very happy and safe holiday!
Regular bus service will resume on Monday, July 6th.
June Board Meeting Cancelled
Please be advised that the June Board of Trustees Meeting set for Thursday, June 25 at 3:00 p.m. has been cancelled.
Watch for WRTA’s New Bus Stop Signs!
WRTA is in the process of installing new bus stop signs along our many Fixed Routes that serve Mahoning County and the city of Warren.
Each sign also displays a unique code for that stop that you can text to 321-123 from your mobile device. You’ll receive an automated reply that shows the next few buses that are scheduled to come to that stop, and the times they will arrive.
“The bus stop signs are designed to give our riders a clear indication of where they should stand if they want to catch one of our Fixed Route buses,” said WRTA Executive Director Dean Harris. “We’re encouraging riders to wait by these signs to board the bus. It’s a convenience as well as a safety issue.”
We expect to have bus stop signs on every Fixed Route over the next couple of months.
Fixed Routes Extended, New Late Night Service Debuts Monday, June 8
WRTA has instituted several changes to the services it offers in Mahoning County.
These changes took effect Monday, June 8:
- All regular Fixed Routes in Mahoning County have had their schedules extended later into the evening. Most Fixed Route buses will make their final runs of the day Monday through Friday between 8:00 and 9:00 pm.
- Fixed Route schedules in the City of Warren remain the same as they have been, with no evening runs.
- Nightline routes have been discontinued.
- In their place is WRTA Late Night — a scheduled curb-to-curb service offered with dedicated small vehicles — that operates between 9:00 pm and midnight Monday through Friday. Late Night buses will run only within areas served by WRTA’s Mahoning County Fixed Routes.
Rides on all WRTA buses will continue to be free until further notice. Regulations put in place during the coronavirus pandemic remain in effect:
- Riders on all WRTA buses must wear a face covering. Riders will be prohibited from boarding the bus without a face covering.
- Except for those in wheelchairs or with baby strollers, all riders must enter Fixed Route buses through the rear door.
- Social distancing must be observed for seating on all buses. Signs are posted on the seats to enforce this policy.
- Only life-necessary trips are permitted. All riders must have a destination, and must get off of the bus when they reach it. Recreational and continuous riding is prohibited.
- Federal Station will remain closed, though buses will continue to arrive and depart from in back of the building.
For more information, call the WRTA offices at 330-744-8431.
Face Coverings Are Mandatory for All WRTA Riders
Riders on all WRTA buses are required to wear face coverings.
WRTA bus drivers have been wearing face coverings for some time. For their protection, as well as the public’s, we are now requiring our passengers to wear them as well.
This mandatory requirement extends to all WRTA services (Fixed Route, Countywide and ADA All-Access). You will not be permitted to board a WRTA bus if you’re not wearing a face covering.
If you have questions, please call WRTA at (330) 744-8431.