Fire Causes Interruption In WRTA Service
A fire on Sunday morning in the WRTA bus garage required additional maintenance time to ensure all of the buses are clean and odorless and that has caused some service interruptions.
Warren service is cancelled through Wednesday, May 25 and will return on Thursday, May 26.
The cancelled routes are:, #70 Southeast, #71 North, #72 Southwest, #73 East, #74 Elm Rd. Warren, #75 Northwest and #76 North Jackson Express.
Western Reserve Transit Authority is recommending riders make sure the schedule of the bus they ride has not been modified before they go to the bus stop today.
“We’d strongly recommend riders check the MyStop Mobile app for updates. But they can also call or check our website just to be sure.” said Harris.
The MyStop mobile app can be downloaded for free in the Apple and Google Play app stores. The WRTA office phone is 330-744-8431 and the website can be found at WRTAonline.com.
Face Masks No Longer Required
In accordance with TSA no longer enforcing the federal face mask mandate — effective immediately, face masks/coverings are no longer required on WRTA buses. Riders may continue to wear face masks if they choose to do so.
The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.
For more information, visit the TSA website.
Businesses Selected for “Give Local Small Business a Lift” Campaign
Twelve businesses from Youngstown, Boardman, Austintown and Campbell were chosen to be part of the “Give Local Small Business a Lift” Campaign.
Starting with National Small Business Week on May 1, WRTA and the Business Journal will begin promoting and sharing the businesses’ stories on social media, TV, WRTA bus signs and the digital sign above Federal Street station. Profiles of each featured business will begin appearing on the WRTA Community Resource page and BusinessJournalDaily.com starting in May.
The 12 businesses selected for the 2022 campaign are:
- Cornersburg Italian Specialties
- Peaberry’s Cafe
- One Step Forward
- The Youngstown Flea
- Next Level Fitness Academy
- Sarah’s Ceramics
- Send It Packin’
- Fancey Boutique
- The TakeOut
- Culturehouse Coffee Co.
- Laugh and Learn Academy LLC
- Sugarpan Bakery
Thank you to everyone who participated!
Nominate Your Business for the “Give Local Small Business a Lift” Campaign
WRTA and the Business Journal are asking you to “Get on the Bus! And Give Local Small Business a Lift!”
Starting with National Small Business Week on May 1, WRTA and the Business Journal will be promoting and sharing the stories of twelve local small businesses on social media, TV, WRTA bus signs and the digital sign above Federal Street station. The twelve selected businesses will also be featured on BusinessJournalDaily.com and on WRTA’s website.
As a special bonus, one of the twelve businesses will also win a $3,000 TV advertising campaign on WKBN TV27.
Ready to Nominate Your Business?
To qualify for consideration, the small business must be on or very close to a WRTA Fixed Route (large bus route). Fixed Routes are on the major roads in Youngstown and the surrounding suburbs, such as Market St., Mahoning Ave., Belmont Ave., and others. There are more than 30 Fixed Routes all over the county. To determine if your business is on a Fixed Route, check the WRTA route maps and descriptions here.
Once you have verified that your business qualifies, fill out the form below!
Deadline to nominate your business is Wednesday, March 30. The businesses selected will be notified by email and announced in this space and on social media.
Following our request, WRTA has received many nominations for businesses who would like to be a part of this campaign. Watch for our forthcoming announcement of the small businesses that have been chosen.
Front-Door Boarding Resumes February 28
Starting Monday, February 28, riders will once again be able to board WRTA’s big buses through the front doors. Riders boarding Fixed Route buses have been required to board from only the rear doors since 2020, due to social distancing requirements.
FACE MASKS STILL A MUST
Riders are still required to wear face masks on all WRTA buses. According to TSA, the face mask policy for public transportation has been extended through April 18, 2022.
Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 21st
WRTA would like to wish you and your family a very safe and happy Presidents’ Day! Please remember that WRTA will be open and will operate a regular Monday schedule on the holiday.
February Board Meeting Cancelled
Please be advised that the February Board of Trustees Meeting set for Thursday, February 24 at 3:00 p.m. has been cancelled.
Closed due to Inclement Weather
Please be advised that due to impassable streets from the inclement weather WRTA is now closed. We will reopen on Saturday, February 5th.
Severe Winter Weather May Cause Delays
WRTA riders should be aware of possible service delays on Thursday, February 3 and Friday, February 4 due to a severe winter weather alert. Further delay updates or cancellations can be found on our website and social media platforms.
Thank you for your patience.
WRTA May Put Your “Valley Valentine” on Its Video Display at Federal Station!
UPDATE: We have had a very strong response to our Valley Valentines promotion! The 14 individuals have been chosen, and their Valentines will appear on our Federal Station video display. These 14 entrants have been notified. Thanks to all who participated, and Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours!
WRTA has come up with a unique way to celebrate “Ohio Loves Transit Week” in 2022. We’re turning the tables by asking our riders “Who do you love?” — and giving you a way to answer that question in a big way with a “Valley Valentine.”
This year, Valentine’s Day is during “Ohio Loves Transit Week,” a campaign of the Ohio Public Transit Association, so WRTA is inviting their riders to, in effect, send a giant Valentine to a spouse, significant other, children or grandchildren.
14 lucky Valentines who submit 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, pictures of the winning Valentines will be taken and shared on WRTA’s website and on social media.
To be eligible to have your Valley Valentine shown on our Federal Station video display, fill out and submit the form below. 14 Valley Valentines will be chosen. Only one entry per person is permitted. Deadline to enter is Friday, February 11.
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