Wayne County Transit to stop service as of Aug. 31

Due to budget limitations, Stark Area Regional Transit Authority will discontinue Wayne County Transit service on Aug. 31. Community Action of Wayne/Medina had contracted with SARTA to operate this curb-to-curb service in the county from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week.

In order to keep transportation options available in Wayne County, CAW/M has joined with the City of Wooster and Wayne County commissioners to work with the Ohio Department of Transportation to reorganize how transit is governed, operated and funded in the county. The City of Wooster will establish a new combined city and county transit system as quickly as possible. This could take a year or more.

Also, as this interim time will create hardships for customers relying on WCT and contracted transportation services, CAW/M is working cooperatively with local governments, employers, community foundations, charitable nonprofits and private transportation services to identify and provide interim transportation assistance to the extent possible until the new transit system can be started.

For riders this means SARTA and CAW/M will stop signing up new WCT customers immediately because county service will end in two months. Also, SARTA will discontinue contracted services with the Wayne County Board of Developmental Disabilities, effective Aug. 31.

Wooster City Transit will continue to provide fixed-route transit service for registered riders on the shuttle loop within the city of Wooster. CAW/M contracts with SHARE Mobility to operate this service. The Wooster Transportation Assistance Program will continue, as taxi trip passes will remain available for eligible residents within Wooster city limits.

People directly affected by this service change should share comments and specific transportation needs by Friday, July 12 at www.SARTAonline.com/wct. If unable to access the website, call Community Action at 330-264-8677. This will help CAW/M identify interim transportation needs and seek interim transportation options.

There also will be two public meetings on Thursday, July 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bruch Hall at First Presbyterian Church of Wooster, 621 College Ave., and from 5-7 p.m. at Orrville Public Library, 230 N. Main St., Orrville.