Happy Veterans Day
WRTA Celebrates 50 Years
WRTA celebrated its 50th anniversary with a recognition event at Federal Station. Western Reserve Transit Authority began operations in 1971 and has continued to carry out its mission of “Giving The Valley a Lift” ever since.
WRTA was honored to have the following partners, area officials and representatives present at the event to make brief remarks and present letters of congratulations and Proclamations.
- Sarah Boyarko, Chief Operating Officer & SVP, Economic Development, Regional Chamber
- Mirta Reyes-Chapman, Transit Program Manager, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments
- Jordan Pennell, NEO Regional Representative of Senator Sherrod Brown
- Patrick Lowry, Local Representative of Congressman Tim Ryan
- Mike Salamone, Trumbull County Transit Administrator
Thank you to our employees for being a vital component in serving The Valley and to all who have supported us over the years!
Below are some photos from our 50th event:
Upcoming Online Public Meetings for Proposed Zero Fares
Even though its buses continued to roll, WRTA eliminated fares in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Riders had many challenges during the pandemic and WRTA wanted to help. Free fares made it easier for riders to get to their jobs, grocery shopping and medical appointments.
The positive response to the free fares has inspired WRTA to propose a permanent ZERO FARE policy. As the Valley recovers from the impact of the pandemic, zero fares will continue to attract Valley residents who depend on public transportation.
This new proposed policy will have a positive effect on the local economy as even more Mahoning and Trumbull County workers and residents have access to reliable transportation to their jobs and shopping.
It’s also important to note that the cost for machinery and labor for fare collection, counting and processing often exceed the income from fares.
WRTA is holding virtual public meetings to gather input from the public on this proposed permanent zero fare policy.
You can gain access to the meetings on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, by using the links below.
Public Meeting Date/Times:
Tuesday, September 21, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/338262813
You can also dial in using your phone: United States (Toll Free) 1-866-899-4679
Access Code: 338-262-813
Tuesday, September 21, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (EDT)
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/384869869
You can also dial in using your phone: United States (Toll Free) 1-877-309-2073
Access Code: 384-869-869
Submitting Comments
You can submit your opinions and comments by returning to this page and using the form that will be available during the virtual meetings and for a period of 24 hours after each meeting.
Market Street Transit-Oriented Development Plan Kicks Off Outreach Events
WRTA’s Market Street Corridor Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) planning begins its public outreach events with information displays at the African-American Men’s Wellness Walk and the Boardman Park Family Fun Night, both on Saturday, August 14, and an online survey to gather public input from WRTA customers and Boardman and Youngstown residents.
WRTA, the City of Youngstown and Boardman Township are collaborating on this plan, which will propose improvements to transit and customer amenities, bus service and other transportation improvements, and strategies to attract new development and investment in the Market Street corridor, extending from YSU and downtown Youngstown to Southern Park Mall and St. Elizabeth Hospital in Boardman Township.
The TOD plan is analyzing transportation and community needs in the corridor and will recommend packages of transportation and development improvements to provide residents access to jobs and other opportunities in the corridor and throughout the Mahoning Valley through connections to WRTA’s county-wide bus system.
The plan will propose improvements to bus service and bus stops, sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks, and traffic control systems to make Market Street safer and easier to use for bus riders, pedestrians and bicyclists.
The TOD plan will also recommend land use and zoning updates to make neighborhoods along the corridor more walkable and enhance their development potential. The TOD planning team is working with planning officials and developers to access public and private grant programs to help finance new, transit-supportive development.
In addition to the events on August 14, WRTA will be providing information about the plan and gathering input from the public at this year’s Canfield Fair. Other public events and meetings will be conducted in the corridor in September and October.
We Want to Hear From You
To better understand the corridor needs and wants, planning officials want to hear from you.
Use this link to take a survey about transportation and land use choices.
Questions or comments can be submitted to wrtatod@gmail.com.
Late Night Riders – On Demand App Discontinued
The On Demand App was launched as part of a demonstration project in December of 2020 for use by riders using WRTA Late Night service. Unfortunately, the demonstration period is coming to an end. As of Wednesday, August 25, the On Demand app will no longer be available.
WRTA riders can still schedule their Late Night trips by calling 330-744-8431 between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. Late Night riders can register and book trips up to seven days in advance or up to 24 hours before the trip.
Late Night service is a scheduled curb-to-curb service that runs between 9:15 pm and midnight, Monday through Friday in Mahoning County. There is no cost for this service through December 31, 2021.
For more information about WRTA’s Late Night service, check the Late Night page of this website.
Happy Labor Day! (No bus service on Monday, September 6th)
Please be advised that WRTA will be closed and there will be no bus service on Monday, September 6th 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 Tuesday, September 7th.
2021 Canfield Fair Bus Schedule
WRTA will be offering bus service to and from the Canfield Fair this year!
August Board Meeting Cancelled
Please be advised that the August Board of Trustees Meeting set for Thursday, August 26 at 3:00 p.m. has been cancelled.
Warren Route Changes Coming Late August
Four Warren routes will be discontinued at the end of August as the grants that funded operation expire.
The four Fixed Routes that are affected by the change are:
- #70 Southeast
- #72 Southwest
- #74 Elm
- #75 Northwest
Route #28 Warren Express will continue to operate the old route to Lane Drive. Countywide, WRTA’s scheduled curb-to-curb service, will also continue to run.
“We really wish we could have continued service in Warren,” said WRTA Executive Director Dean Harris. “But our grant funding was limited. We had hoped to get the sales tax issue on the ballot so we could continue because the need is definitely there.”
For more information about Countywide service, visit the Countywide section of the website or call the WRTA office at 330-770-8431.
Input Sought for Coordinated Transportation Plan for Mahoning/Trumbull Counties
A new Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (Coordinated Plan) has been developed for Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. The primary focus of this Plan is to identify transportation needs and gaps experienced by seniors, persons with disabilities and low-income populations in the two counties and determine ways to overcome those mobility barriers.
The plan includes an assessment of mobility needs and resultant strategies to meet needs for the targeted populations as well as the general public. The Coordinated Plan provides strategies to improve transportation services to meet these needs as well as maximize the efficient use of resources.
All members of the public are encouraged to review this plan and submit comments. You can view and/or download an Executive Summary and the full Plan by clicking the links below.
You can also view a document that has further detail on how the plan was developed by following this link.
Comments about the plan can be submitted to Lynda Conway, Senior Associate at the Delta Development Group, Inc. — via email at lconway@deltaone.com or by calling 412-491-5991.
The deadline for submitting comments is Friday, August 6, 2021.
