Lorain County to continue ViaLC microtransit program in Lorain, Elyria into 2026

ELYRIA — Lorain County has extended its ViaLC microtransit program in Elyria and Lorain for another year. The county Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted to approve a one-year, $2.2 million contract with River North Transit/Via Transportation for the van-based service in Lorain County's two largest cities. The vans will continue to run from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday, through July 31, 2026. Rides cost $2, or $1 for senior citizens older than over 65, disabled persons, Medicare cardholders, children ages 3-12 and students. Veterans and infants ride for free. The on-demand pilot program started in summer 2024 in Elyria and Lorain. In one year, ViaLC provided nearly 32,000 rides to more than 2,000 riders, county and city officials said. Lorain County voters have been hesitant in the past to approve countywide ballot issues to fund public transit. The county has been working with both cities, the state and other organizations to find money to fund the program. Lorain City Council approved $250,000 in funding on June 2. A recommendation from its Finance Committee last month to spend $250,000 is awaiting final approval from Elyria City Council. Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley and Elyria Mayor Kevin Brubaker have championed the plan, which started last year with $2.4 million in grants to the county. Commissioner David Moore, a Republican, said the county and the two cities still are working with other organizations to find the money to continue the popular service, though there hasn't been as much interest as he hoped. Deputy County Administrator Karen Perkins said the county has applied or is applying for grants through the Community Foundation of Lorain County, the Ford Foundation, the Ohio Department of Transportation and has a "long list" of other foundations to approach for grants. "The more organizations we get to participate, the lower the cost will be" with "more efficient fixed routes," Perkins said. Many riders take the vans to and from school, work, the grocery store or medical appointments by booking a ride through a mobile app or a phone number. Smaller transit vehicles provide shared rides in areas that larger, fixed-route buses can't. To schedule a wheelchair accessible ride, call (440) 901-5554. For more information, visit city.ridewithvia.com/lorain. Public transit helps the economy, according to Via. For every $1 invested in public transit, another $5 is pumped back into the economy, Via said when the program started. It also costs less than owning and operating a car: A single household can save $13,000 annually by taking public transit rather than owning, fueling and maintaining a car. Housing values also increase when houses are near public transit, and traveling by public transit is 10 times safer than traveling by car, according to Via. The board also approved another $48,000 agreement with Via Mobility to come up with a transportation development plan that will address "the needs of the public while allowing Lorain County Transit to sustain service and strategically expand its services." "The plan will evaluate program operations and recommend realistic, fiscally responsible strategies to be implemented over the short term," according to board documents. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.