Medina County transit reports rising ridership, pursues Drake and Howe connection as Laurel Square service ends

Medina County Board of Commissioners — Shannon Ryan, representing county transit, reported higher ridership in March compared with 2024 and said the system put out fewer vehicle miles and revenue miles, which the department interprets as greater efficiency.

"We're down on total vehicle miles, and our revenue miles, which shows that we're more efficient with an increase in ridership," Ryan told the board. She said trips to essential services remain strong and that operations absorbed recent contract-negotiation adjustments without exceeding budgeted amounts.

Ryan said transit staff are pursuing a connection at the Drake and Howe stop to link Medina County service with regional providers similar to existing connections at Akron Metro in Fairlawn. The discussion followed an announcement that Laurel Square service will end on Monday, Aug. 18; Ryan said the county is working on a solution to provide more all-day access, with an aspirational 6 a.m.–6 p.m. service window for the Drake and Howe stop.

Commissioners praised the idea of a Drake and Howe connection as one that could reduce traffic and provide Brunswick residents better access to Cuyahoga County. The board also discussed regional comparisons on executive compensation and noted Medina County's transit operates with smaller administrative costs relative to some larger regional authorities.

Ryan said out-of-county transportation demand varies month to month; the department monitors the numbers weekly and adjusts shared-ride planning to reduce backtracking and increase shared rides.