Metro reports ridership gains, expands microtransit pilot and plans new maintenance facility opening Nov. 13

Don, a Metro representative, briefed the Barberton City Council on June 2 about service changes, a pilot microtransit program and a new maintenance and operations facility planned to open Nov. 13.

The presentation highlighted ridership gains: "our ridership is up about 23% over, post COVID type numbers," Don said, and said the system is at "right around 89 percent" of pre‑COVID ridership. He told council the No. 8 route, which runs through Kenmore and Barberton, will move to 15‑minute service as part of a set of five converted corridor routes to improve frequency.

Metro also described Metro Next, a microtransit pilot that allows riders in designated zones to schedule trips by app within a zone or to main bus routes. Don said the service is intended to extend transit options where fixed routes do not serve dense areas and that expansion to two additional zones depends on demand and continued funding.

On fares, Metro described an "easy fare" mobile app and fare capping: single rides cost $1.25, a one‑day cap is $3 and a monthly cap is $50; the app will stop charging once the daily or monthly cap is reached. Don said the policy lets riders who cannot prepay monthly passes reach the same cost ceiling by paying per ride.

Don also said Metro is building a new maintenance and operations facility meant to accommodate roughly 400 vehicles and include public meeting space; Metro plans to open the facility Nov. 13 and invited council members to a ribbon‑cutting. He said the new building is intended to replace an aging facility and improve vehicle servicing and operations.

Mayor Judge and council members asked clarifying questions and thanked Metro for the update. No formal council action on Metro items was recorded at the June 2 meeting.