September 28, 2024Sep 28 Akron METRO RTA approves purchase of 33 new buses by Meagan Rodgers and Akron Documenters September 27, 2024 At its September meeting, the METRO RTA board unanimously approved the purchase of 33 new compressed natural gas buses from GILLIG LLC. Grants from the Federal Transit Agency cover 80% of nearly $24 million cost. The new buses will replace existing buses that are nearing the end of their useful lives. METRO ridership has increased on Saturdays due to free weekend fares. Across the service area, on-time performance for the previous month was 81% for fixed routes. The agency’s goal is 95% on-time performance, with a high point of 84% in January. https://signalakron.org/akron-metro-rta-approves-purchase-of-33-new-buses/
December 11, 2024Dec 11 Some positive news for Akron's Metro system. Metro RTA reports ridership surge in Summit County in 2024 Published: Dec. 10, 2024 By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio – Metro RTA, the public transportation provider in Summit County, has seen a 23% increase in ridership in 2024, the transportation provider announced Tuesday. The increase in ridership can be attributed to the increasing demand for efficient, sustainable and affordable transportation options in the Summit County area, according to Metro RTA. At the same time, the transportation provider has worked to improve the overall transit experience and better meet residents’ transportation needs. To better meet passenger needs, Metro RTA redesigned its system in 2023 to focus on streamlining services, enhancing frequency and expanding regional connections to Brimfield and Cuyahoga County. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2024/12/metro-rta-reports-ridership-surge-in-summit-county-in-2024.html
December 11, 2024Dec 11 23 minutes ago, Luke_S said: Some positive news for Akron's Metro system. Metro RTA reports ridership surge in Summit County in 2024 Published: Dec. 10, 2024 By Megan Becka, special to cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio – Metro RTA, the public transportation provider in Summit County, has seen a 23% increase in ridership in 2024, the transportation provider announced Tuesday. The increase in ridership can be attributed to the increasing demand for efficient, sustainable and affordable transportation options in the Summit County area, according to Metro RTA. At the same time, the transportation provider has worked to improve the overall transit experience and better meet residents’ transportation needs. To better meet passenger needs, Metro RTA redesigned its system in 2023 to focus on streamlining services, enhancing frequency and expanding regional connections to Brimfield and Cuyahoga County. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2024/12/metro-rta-reports-ridership-surge-in-summit-county-in-2024.html The American Public Transit Association puts the Akron Metro growth at 4th in the nation for a transit systems of its size in its 2024. For reference, the best increase among major US transit authorities according to APTA is WMATA at 20%.
March 27Mar 27 Akron’s METRO transit projects on hold as federal monies, priorities ‘not predictable right now’ by Arielle Kass March 26, 2025 METRO Regional Transit Authority leaders are worried $41.9 million of federal funding for a maintenance and operations facility that is already under construction could be pulled back by government officials. It’s leading them to delay projects that would expand transit service and build affordable apartments near an Akron transit center. Officials are wary of spending money on the new proposals until they know the maintenance and operations facility, which has a total price tag of $59 million, will be completed. The facility, which has a scheduled grand opening on Nov. 13, is largely paid for with funds from the Federal Transit Administration. Construction on the maintenance and operations facility at 348 Kenmore Blvd. in Akron is well underway, and its completion is necessary to the successful implementation of a bus rapid transit proposal, said Gert Wilms, METRO’s legal and government affairs officer. https://signalakron.org/metro-transit-projects-on-hold-as-federal-monies-priorities-not-predictable-right-now/
March 29Mar 29 2 hours ago, Philly215jawns said: Do you think we'll see a commuter rail line connecting Akron & Cleveland? There has been a lot of discussion on other forums about the Cuyahoga Valley RR providing that service, but the "last mile" connection is problematic on the Cleveland end. Solutions have been suggested, but we would need CVSR and RTA and Cleveland and Cuyahoga County to all get on board to find the funding and make it happen. Would love to see that, even if it's not "fast" service. Hourly would be great. I would love to have a connection between Cleveland-Hopkins and the Canton-Akron airport as well -- I think that service would be attractive for people in Akron-Canton area and would increase flight options for everyone in the region. I imagine that there may be airlines/airports/officials who don't want that competition, however.
March 29Mar 29 It would be a commuter/regional rail service and not inter-city Amtrak so it wouldn't be that fast. Cleveland and NEO should have a rail network and maybe that could help Akron and other cities and CLE burbs revitalize and bring more people to live there when they see better transit options.
April 3Apr 3 On 3/29/2025 at 8:10 AM, Philly215jawns said: Do you think we'll see a commuter rail line connecting Akron & Cleveland? Not unless northeast Ohio rejoins Connecticut. 🙃 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
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