Stakeholder group conducting public-transit survey for Wayne County

A broad-based group of community stakeholders is being invited to conduct a countywide survey to explore the feasibility of extending and enhancing public-transit service in Wayne County. The announcement was made during the commissioners' regular weekly meeting on Wednesday.

Stakeholders participating in the project include the Wayne County Commissioners, Community Action of Wayne/Medina counties, the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority, the Transportation Coalition of Wayne County, local governments, social-service agencies, faith-based organizations, philanthropic/nonprofit entities, private employers, and private-sector transit providers.

During the meeting Capt. Doug Hunter of the Wayne County Sheriff's Department said transportation impacts the justice system in many ways, saying people without transportation miss court dates. "If we can get them to court, that will alleviate the need to issue failure-to-appear warrants and arrest them, which takes up space in the jail," he said.

According to Hunter, the safety of residents also is a concern. "We have a large number of people in Wayne County who continue to drive under suspension to the store or work," he said. "Expanded transit may keep the unlicensed drivers off the roadway and increase the safety of other citizens."

Representatives of several stakeholders spoke about the project.

Tom Pukys, president of the Wayne County Economic Development Council, said his agency is excited about participating in the analysis and planning process because transportation is critical to both area businesses and social-service agencies.

Pukys applauded CAWM and the commissioners for their leadership and said the WCEDC would do whatever it can to help develop a transit plan.

Kirt Conrad, CEO of the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority, said discussions with Wayne County officials about expanding the transit service have been taking place for more than a decade.

"What makes a difference now is the state is encouraging the expansion of, and making funding available for, rural transit," Conrad said. "We look forward to working with the commissioners, the Community Action Agency and others to fill in the gaps that aren't being met by the existing transportation providers."

The survey will provide stakeholders with detailed information about the public and private transit services now available in the community and help determine the need for expanded or new service.

"Today is the start of an intense few weeks," Commissioner Ron Amstutz said. "We want to involve the entire community in the planning process by encouraging people to participate in the survey. This project must make sense fiscally for all partners including the private sector. The survey and subsequent analysis will give us the information we need to determine the best path forward."