State’s GO Bus expansion would add Port Clinton stop; ODOT official says no city cost

An Ohio Department of Transportation transit grant coordinator told the Port Clinton City Council on Nov. 25 that the state’s GO Bus intercity expansion would include a stop in Port Clinton and would not impose an upfront or ongoing cost on the city.

"I am Kirby Darth, I'm the transit grant coordinator within the office of transit at ODOT," the presenter said, outlining the GO Bus program’s funding, operations and expansion map. He described GO Bus as a federally funded 5311 inner‑city bus program that fills gaps in regional connectivity and said 15% of certain state transit funds must support inner‑city routes. He said the state plans four new routes that will link numerous northern Ohio communities to urban hubs and universities.

Darth told the council the service is heavily subsidized, with fares starting at $5 for short trips and a proposed statewide cap under discussion (he cited an unofficial cap of about $40). He said tickets will be sold on buses for cash or through the GO Bus app, and that the system interlines with Greyhound and other carriers to enable longer itineraries and Amtrak connections.

Why it matters: GO Bus adds regional mobility for students, low‑income residents and visitors while creating an intercity link that can feed airports and other transit hubs. Dart said 52% of GO Bus riders are students and 46% earn under $20,000 a year, underscoring the program’s role for transit‑dependent riders.

Key local details: Darth estimated initial Port Clinton annual ridership at about 6,000 and said the program would run 365 days a year, including holidays. He described the proposed stop area (a location near the city canopy/blue canopy was discussed) and said the provider carries insurance; a state‑run site agreement has been provided to the mayor and reviewed by legal. He told the council the state and operator would assume risk and maintenance associated with the stop and that the city would not be required to provide dedicated parking.

Operations and partners: Darth said GO Bus contracts operations to Baron’s Bus under a local nonprofit partner (Hawking Athens Perry Community Action Partners) and reported a long history of service with a 96.9% on‑time record and under 1% cancellation rate. He said the state is budgeting marketing support for the expansion and referenced roughly $200,000 in statewide marketing funds to promote new stops, including Port Clinton.

Next steps and deadline: Darth asked the council to consider Ordinance 35‑25 — authorizing an agreement with the community action partner and Baron’s Bus — on second reading at the Dec. 9 council meeting. He said the state needs signed agreements by Dec. 19 to keep Port Clinton in the planned expansion; tickets are expected to go on sale in February with service beginning in early spring if schedules hold.

Council questions focused on fares, transfer caps, ticketing, luggage and exact stop location; Darth answered that transfers would be capped to limit total fares and that physical stop details and any local parking rules could be set by the city and published on GO Bus materials. The council did not take a vote on the GO Bus ordinance at this meeting.

The council heard the presentation and moved on to other business. The GO Bus request for council action is expected to return on Dec. 9.