Lorain County leaders seek partners to continue Via microtransit after pilot draws thousands of riders

Lorain County officials and partners on July 9 presented early results from a pilot microtransit program run by Via and urged cities, employers and community organizations to share the roughly $2 million annual cost if the county is to continue and expand the service.

County Commissioner Dave Moore, who has championed transit projects for years, called the pilot a rapid, low-cost test and said the ride price to users is $2. “The affordability of this project is $2, just like a fixed ride,” Moore said, urging local leaders to partner on funding.

The pilot, launched in July in two dense service zones (Elyria and Lorain), has produced steady ridership and attracted a mix of commuters, students and seniors, presenters said. Via staff and county officials reported the service is now “serving over 7,000 rides per month,” has increased vehicle productivity since launch and that many users have shifted from two‑hour fixed‑route trips to shorter microtransit trips.

“We have seen this service be a tremendous success,” said Sargent Gossett, Midwest lead for Via. Via’s operations manager said rides…