{"id":17596,"date":"2025-10-30T17:10:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T17:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=17596"},"modified":"2025-10-30T17:10:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T17:10:40","slug":"tarta-reports-record-ridership-at-community-update-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/30\/tarta-reports-record-ridership-at-community-update-event\/","title":{"rendered":"TARTA Reports Record Ridership At Community Update Event"},"content":{"rendered":"

Special to The Truth<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u2019s third annual Community Update: Driving Possibility.<\/p>\n

Held before a crowd of nearly 300 community leaders, partners, and riders, the event showcased how TARTA\u2019s investments in people, technology, and innovation are driving ridership growth, customer satisfaction, and community impact.<\/p>\n

TARTA has surpassed 200,000 fixed-route rides for three consecutive months \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we make transit stronger, we make our community stronger,\u201d said Kendra Smith, president of TARTA\u2019s Board of Trustees. \u201cOur progress is about people \u2014 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

TARTA CEO Laura Koprowski shared how the agency\u2019s customer-first approach continues to strengthen its reputation and results. According to TARTA\u2019s 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 \u2014 among the highest ratings in agency history.<\/p>\n

Koprowski also previewed several initiatives, including the launch of TARTA Zero, which will put the agency\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Additional highlights in 2025 included:<\/p>\n