Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners discuss expansion and financing options for Via transit pilot
Summary
Board members and county staff discussed the county’s Via on-demand transit pilot, funding advances from county grant accounts, contract usage and the need for municipal commitments and a transit summit to plan long-term participation.
Lorain County commissioners used part of their Jan. 31 meeting to discuss the county’s pilot with Via, an on-demand transit provider, including contract usage, funding advances and next steps to expand or sustain the service.
County staff reported that the Via pilot has strong rider demand and that the county has advanced grant funds to support operations while waiting for federal reimbursements. The county administrator said the program’s contracted hours are being used at a faster rate than anticipated and that the existing contract period runs roughly a year (July to July). Staff estimated the county will likely exhaust the current contract period in August based on usage trends.
Why it matters: The county is evaluating how to sustain or expand on-demand transit beyond the pilot, how to allocate limited grant dollars, and whether municipalities that wish to participate must commit local funding or rely on county advances.
Key discussion points: - Funding and advances: Commissioners and staff said the county has advanced federal or grant funds to pay for services pending reimbursement. The county administrator confirmed that advances are being made and that reimbursements follow. - Contract term and usage: Staff said the Via contract was for roughly one year (July to July) and that earlier underuse means the county can likely extend service into August based on current hourly utilization. - Municipal participation: Commissioners discussed the need for municipalities to commit funds for participation and the possibility that the county would need to advance funds to communities whose budgets are already set for 2025 and 2026. - Planning: Staff said a transit summit is planned as part of the county’s strategic plan to invite stakeholders and communities to determine long-term funding arrangements and model choices (shared on-demand service, fixed route, or a combination).
No formal vote was taken on a new funding commitment. Commissioners directed staff to continue planning, to complete the county’s transportation study and to schedule stakeholder engagement so communities can decide on participation and funding commitments.
