Committee recommends Elyria spend $250,000 to continue ViaLC transit program

ELYRIA — A City Council committee recommended Monday that Elyria spend $250,000 to keep the ViaLC on-demand public transit vans running on city streets. The Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend contributing that funding to continue the microtransit pilot program, which started last year, through the end of June 2026. The issue will now go before full City Council for possible discussion and a vote. Lorain, one of the other municipal partners in the program, already has approved its share of local funding for the ViaLC program. The pilot program started in 2024 in Lorain and Elyria, the county's two largest cities. Like other microtransits, as it's known, ViaLC works on demand through a smartphone app. In a year, it has provided nearly 32,000 rides to more than 2,000 riders, said Councilman Brad Armstrong, I-5th Ward. Mayor Kevin Brubaker called ViaLC "very well-received," noting that for the first year the $2.4 million pilot program was paid for almost entirely by grants the Lorain County commissioners received. That grant period is now ending, but Brubaker and Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley both wanted to continue the program in partnership with the county, Brubaker said. Lorain County Commissioner David Moore, a Republican, visited Monday to tell the committee that the county is a willing partner, especially after ViaLC proved to be a success within its first 90 days of operation. "We don't know what the future holds, but we don't want to lose Via," he said. Council members and Moore said the program has helped riders get to the grocery store, to doctors appointments and that a significant number of school-age students use it for rides to and from Elyria Schools. Armstrong said the need in his ward, which makes up much of downtown and the south side of downtown, was heavy. That became very apparent after the Aldi grocery store on Oberlin Road in Carlisle Township closed and moved to Chestnut Ridge Road in Elyria, forcing 5th Ward residents to travel farther for groceries. "I see Via everywhere in my ward, so I know it's being used," Armstrong said. The $250,000 Lorain has promised comes from its economic development fund. Lorain City Council unanimously passed an ordinance June 2. During that meeting, Bradley lauded the microtransit program, and hinted that other cities like Avon, Avon Lake and Oberlin may be open to the model. He said the city may look to Mercy Health, Meijer, the Lorain Schools and nonprofits for further funding. Reporter Carissa Woytach contributed to this story. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com