KEEP YOUR BUS STOP
Property owners grant WRTA permission to put in a bus stop. When trash and store carts are left at a bus stop, the property owner can revoke permission for the stop. We’ve already lost TWO bus stops because of trash. If the bus stop you use is convenient, the best way to keep it is to keep it clean.
Washington and Columbus Come to Youngstown and WRTA
Representatives from the offices of United States Senator Bernie Moreno, U.S. Congressman Dave Joyce and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine paid special visits to Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) this past week.
These introductory meetings were casual but informative. Youngstown-based WRTA had aimed to impress and appears to have accomplished that goal.
“The government representatives seemed happy to come here and we appreciate their interest.” said Dean Harris, WRTA Executive Director. “They were surprised by how many people we serve — now over two million rides each year.”
WRTA’s accomplishments seem to have attracted a lot of attention around the state. Observers believe that attention is due to WRTA’s success with increasing ridership, but also the connections it’s forged with local businesses and non-profits. Also impressing the legislators is the the leading role WRTA has taken in advancing autonomous and zero-emission vehicles.
Harris added, “We are hoping the excitement and interest the representatives showed during their visit translates into continued and additional support for public transit in the Mahoning Valley.”
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WRTA Bus Stop Removed and Location Changed at Austintown Walmart Location
AUSTINTOWN — At the request of the property owner, the WRTA bus stop located in front of Dollar Tree in near Walmart in Austintown is being removed.
“This is a well-used stop and we hate to inconvenience our passengers, but we don’t own the property. We must comply with the owner’s demand to remove the bus shelter and the stop.” said WRTA Executive Director Dean Harris.
ROUTE CHANGES
The 9-Austintown Route and the 27-Austintown Loop bus will no longer go into the Walmart plaza effective March 18, 2025. WRTA passengers will now be picked up and dropped off on Mahoning Ave near the traffic light at the Walmart entrance.
Passengers will soon see new maps for 9-Austintown and 27-Austintown Loop under “Rider Info” on WRTAonline.com.
FREE FARES CONTINUE!
Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) is pleased to announce its free fare policy will continue until at least Dec. 31, 2027. Free fares were temporarily instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and have since extended each year since then. Valley residents can ride free on any WRTA bus. ##
Congratulations Valley Valentine Winners
In celebration of Ohio Loves Transit Week and Valentine’s Day, WRTA turned the tables and asked Valley residents, “Who do you love?”. 36 lucky winners were able to answer that question in a big way with a “Valley Valentine.” These graphics are on display on the giant sign at WRTA’s Federal Station through Sunday.
Congratulations to the following winners!
WRTA’s 2024 Annual Report is Now Available
The 2024 Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) annual report is now available online.
The annual report covers all the important initiatives undertaken by WRTA this past year, including public engagement programs, Autonomous Vehicles, and more.
Last year, WRTA vehicles travelled more than one million, five hundred thousand miles and provided more than TWO MILLION PASSENGER TRIPS.
Show Your Love 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 Monday, February 3. Winners will be announced and contacted on Tuesday, February 4.
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
Fill out the form below!
We have received an overwhelming amount of responses. Thank you to all who participated! 36 winners will be chosen in a random drawing, and if your Valley Valentine is picked, you will be contacted directly on February 4 via email. Thank you!
WRTA Hires Jordan Pennell as External Affairs Director
Jordan Pennell, former Special Projects Coordinator/Representative for U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown was hired to fill the newly created position of External Affairs Director at Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA).
Pennell is lifelong Youngstown-area resident and graduate of Youngstown State University. Prior to working in Brown’s office, Pennell was a legislative aide to State Senator (now Judge) Joe Schiavoni.
“Jordan’s decade-long experience at both the state and federal government levels will be a great help to us.” said Dean Harris, WRTA Executive Director. “Now we’ll have another voice advocating for public transportation causes in the Valley. Jordan’s relationships and his knowledge of how things work will help ensure our participation in many more projects and funding that benefit our residents and our local economy.”
“WRTA has a great reputation among state and federal government officials.” said Pennell. “WRTA, led by Dean Harris, is seen as being on the forefront of progress in almost every area of public transportation in Ohio and the U.S. I’m looking forward to helping WRTA and the Valley continue moving forward.”
OEPA Grant for Electric Buses Helps WRTA Roll Into Zero-Emission Future
Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) was notified by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) that its proposal for the Diesel Emission Reduction Grant (DERG) was accepted.
This DERG Grant will provide WRTA $1,848,023 in funding for 75% of the cost to replace two older diesel-powered transit buses that are past their useful life with two buses (model year 2027 or newer) that are electric-powered.
“This is a win for the environment because as older buses reach the end of their useful life and are retired, we can replace them with zero-emission vehicles,” says Dean Harris, WRTA Executive Director. “It’s also a win for local taxpayers because the state/federal grant covers 75% of the replacement cost.”
WRTA has been actively working towards a sustainable, zero-emission future with the recent addition of electric-powered staff vehicles and battery-electric LTVs.
The DERG program supports public transit systems serving Ohio counties for the early retirement and replacement of older diesel transit buses. WRTA has been proactive in moving toward environmentally conscious transportation and reducing its carbon footprint.
2024 Holiday Lights Honorees Announced
Congratulations to the twelve local non-profits that were chosen as the 2024 Holiday Lights Honorees! Thank you for lighting up the Valley all year long with your good works.
The 2024 Holiday Lights Honorees are:
- Clover Recycling
- Dylan’s House
- Olivia’s Grace
- Sight for All United
- Friends of Fido
- Yellow Brick Place
- United Returning Citizens
- Limitless Dance Co.
- Mahoning County Public Special Olympics
- Veterans Haven
- DIVA Donations
- Youngstown Lions Club
