METRO Regional Transit Authority

As 2024 comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the journey we've had at METRO. We’re grateful for our dedicated team, valued partners, and transit-loyal riders who have been a part of this journey. We look forward to building on this momentum in 2025. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year filled with growth and new opportunities!

METRO RTA is excited to report a 23% increase in ridership for 2024, reported by APTA (American Public Transportation Association), showing the growing demand for efficient, sustainable, and affordable transportation options in the Summit County area. This significant rise in passenger numbers reflects METRO’s commitment to improving the overall transit experience and meeting the needs of our community. The increase in ridership follows METRO’s successful implementation of a system redesign in 2023, which focused on streamlining services, enhancing frequency, and expanding regional connections to Brimfield and Cuyahoga County. Additionally, by actively listening to the needs of our loyal transit passengers and their advocates, METRO was able to make improvements that better serve the community, contributing to the overall growth in ridership. "We are thrilled to see such a strong increase in ridership, which reflects not only the hard work of our team but also the growing public demand for accessible and sustainable transportation options," said CEO Dawn Distler, "It’s an encouraging sign that our investments in service enhancements and upgrades are resonating with riders. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to offering a seamless and reliable transit experience for all passengers.” Looking ahead, METRO plans to continue its expansion efforts by exploring additional service innovations and further improving its infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of riders.

Amazing job to our member METRO Regional Transit Authority who has spent many years in developing a modern transit system and this year saw a 23% increase in ridership. We are sure this is just the beginning! https://lnkd.in/gEXvVtjU

Millions more people across America are riding public transportation in 2024! Check out the #transit systems with the largest ridership increases this year. #TransitWrapped2024 Systems with 50+ million annual riders: 1. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) 20% ↗️ 2. King County Metro Transit 14%↗️ 3. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) 14%↗️ 4. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) 13%↗️ 5. Chicago Transit Authority 13%↗️ Systems with between 15 and 50 million annual riders: 1. Milwaukee County Transit System 28%↗️ 2. Montgomery County Department of Transportation 20%↗️ 3. Capital District Transportation Authority 19% ↗️ 4. Utah Transit Authority 17% ↗️ 5. Pace Suburban Bus 15% ↗️ Systems with between 3 and 15 million annual riders: 1. JFK AirTrain/The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey 31%↗️ 2. Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority 28%↗️ 3. Hampton Roads Transit 26%↗️ 4. METRO Regional Transit Authority 23%↗️ 5. Kitsap Transit 20%↗️ Systems with fewer than 3 million annual riders: 1. Detroit Transportation Corporation People Mover 80%↗️ 2. Portage Area RTA 52%↗️ 3. Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit 32%↗️ 4. City of Las Cruces 31%↗️ 5. City of Fort Collins 29%↗️

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in and attended the Giving Tuesday event at the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center. Your generosity and support have made a lasting impact on our community. As a community-driven organization, METRO is honored to foster connections and create opportunities for positive change throughout the year. We are grateful for the chance to contribute to the well-being of our community and wish you all a joyful and meaningful holiday season.

Grab a ride and meet us at the Akron Bicentennial! 🚌🚌🚌 Our newly wrapped Bicentennial Bus is a BIG hit, and it’s coming to a neighborhood near you! Don’t miss our Opening Ceremony, December 11, 2024 at the Akron Civic Theatre! Reserve your seat HERE: https://lnkd.in/gBFqPqGg Special thanks to our bus sponsor, METRO Regional Transit Authority, and Lamar Transit Advertising. And Kudos to Eric Hancsak for his wonderful design! #KeepIt200 #Akron200 #AkronBicentennial www.Akron200.org #METRORTA #Akron #pastpresentfuture

Celebrating a Lifetime of Service and Dedication! We’re thrilled to share some incredible news—Eugene Mitchell, one of our dedicated Operators, has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Ohio Public Transit Association. Thank you, Eugene, for going the extra mile every day!

I have been asked about why we are ACTIVE members of APTA. I try and make the case but this video truly shows "the why". Watch it, and listen to the words and see the faces of those that are interviewed in this video. The passion they have for the essential service they provide. Giving the true heroes of our industry, our team members, the opportunity to see the technology that's available and how it can work for them in their systems invigorates them. But more importantly see the passion in their eyes when they talk about having the opportunity to meet their peers across North America and discuss how they can be part of the next big things in their city, state, and in this industry as a whole! Watch their eyes light up and know that our transit future is bright!

Shoutout to our incredible Operators who go the extra mile every day! Whether it’s skillfully navigating busy streets or taking the time to train our newest team members, your dedication ensures our community keeps moving smoothly.

METRO RTA’s CEO Dawn Distler Wins Outstanding Chief Executive Officer Award AKRON— METRO RTA proudly announces that its Chief Executive Officer, Dawn Distler, traveled to Anaheim, California, where she was honored with the Outstanding Chief Executive Officer Award. This prestigious recognition, given to only one person annually in the transportation industry, was awarded by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This award highlights Distler's exceptional leadership, innovative vision, and commitment to public transportation. Under Distler's leadership, METRO RTA has achieved significant milestones in improving and expanding transit services across the region. This includes introducing electric vehicles to METRO's fleet, rolling out customer-friendly technologies, and forging key partnerships with local businesses and community organizations to enhance service and accessibility. Distler's forward-thinking approach and collaborative spirit have made METRO RTA a standout in public transportation. “It is a great privilege to accept this award,” said CEO Dawn Distler. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire METRO team. Through our collaborative efforts, we have made significant strides in providing reliable, efficient, and equitable transit services. This recognition inspires us to continue our mission of enhancing mobility and improving the quality of life for all residents.” The award was officially presented at the APTA TRANSform conference in Anaheim, California, on October 1, where Distler was recognized alongside other notable leaders in the industry.