Medina County transit director reports small dip in ridership, delays South Circular launch after community feedback

Transit Director Shannon Ryan told the Board of Commissioners that May ridership for county demand‑response service dipped slightly and that the department is monitoring cost‑per‑mile pressures driven primarily by fuel prices and occasional overtime.

Ryan highlighted operational efficiency, reporting a passengers‑per‑mile scheduling metric of about 2.23 and noting the service achieved four consecutive months without any trip denials. She said new Verizon radio installations are nearing completion (with about 68 vehicles still to have equipment installed) and that a passenger notification software project―providing next‑day confirmations and imminent‑arrival alerts―is on track for rollout near the end of July.

Ryan also summarized community responses to a recent South Circular service public meeting, saying 13–14 attendees provided mixed feedback and some safety messaging was necessary; as a result, the initial July 7 launch date will be postponed by a couple of weeks to improve communication and add additional signup locations for residents who cannot call. She said service adjustments aim to preserve shared-ride efficiency while reducing instances where later-route riders miss trips because vehicles have reached capacity.

Commissioners asked about cost‑per‑mile measurement and whether fuel cost spikes could mask underlying inefficiencies; Ryan and commissioners discussed scheduling, passengers-per-mile goals and ongoing community engagement as ways to manage that metric.

Next steps: continue radio and notification software rollout, refine South Circular communications and delay launch until outreach and signup logistics are improved.