Special to The Truth
The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) marked its upcoming 55th year of service by announcing its largest ridership increase in more than five years at the agency’s third annual Community Update: Driving Possibility.
Held before a crowd of nearly 300 community leaders, partners, and riders, the event showcased how TARTA’s investments in people, technology, and innovation are driving ridership growth, customer satisfaction, and community impact.
TARTA has surpassed 200,000 fixed-route rides for three consecutive months — a milestone not achieved in over half a decade. Systemwide ridership is up for the fifth straight year, including a 15 percent increase in fixed-route service, nine percent increase in TARTA Flex on-demand service, and three percent increase in TARTA Move paratransit ridership.
“When we make transit stronger, we make our community stronger,” said Kendra Smith, president of TARTA’s Board of Trustees. “Our progress is about people — the workforce driving our buses, the customers who depend on them, and the partners helping us build a more connected and equitable Northwest Ohio. Transit is opportunity, and TARTA is proud to deliver it.”
TARTA CEO Laura Koprowski shared how the agency’s customer-first approach continues to strengthen its reputation and results. According to TARTA’s 2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey, 84 percent of fixed-route riders, 95 percent of TARTA Move customers and 96 percent of TARTA Flex riders report being satisfied with their experience — among the highest ratings in agency history.
Koprowski also previewed several initiatives, including the launch of TARTA Zero, which will put the agency’s first full-sized electric buses on the road next month. When those hit the road, TARTA will be the only Ohio transit system operating electric vehicles for both fixed-route and paratransit service.
Additional highlights in 2025 included:
- The continued rollout of the WorkLink Study connecting Lucas and Wood County job centers.
- The ongoing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) exploration for Monroe Street and other high-ridership corridors.
- Expanding special event service for Toledo Walleye and Mud Hens games, Jeep Fest, the Lucas County Fair, and more.
“For 54 years, TARTA has been connecting people to jobs, healthcare, education, and opportunity,” said Koprowski. “As we step into our 55th year, we’re building a cleaner, safer, and more accessible future — one where public transit continues to be a vital part of life in Northwest Ohio.”
New this year are breakout sessions, scheduled for after the main program, which invite attendees to hear more from TARTA leadership and experts about the issues impacting public transportation. Those sessions include:
* What’s WorkLink?: More information on the Wood County workforce mobility study led by TARTA, the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership and the Toledo Metropolitan Council of Governments.
* Transit Oriented Development: Find out how and why investment in transit has been followed closely by development in projects around the country.
* Trailblazing for Toledo Transit: Focus group intended to help build TARTA’s strategic plan for 2026-31.
* January Service Changes: TARTA personnel discuss a proposal for a major system update scheduled to take effect January 25, 2026.
* Driving Talent: Discover trends that impact building a public transit team.