Ohio’s Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) is slated to receive $2,331,000 in federal funds to improve mobility and enhance the rider experience in Mahoning County.
The funding will be allotted through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) program, which is part of a test program by the FTA incorporating Mahoning County into a network of transportation agencies nationwide testing and sharing solutions, officials said.
“This federal investment for the WRTA will change public transportation not only in the Mahoning Valley but across the country,” said Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) said. “I am proud of the forward-looking work of the WRTA for receiving this grant, and I offer my support as they work on implementing the exciting changes to come.”
Through the grant, the FTA seeks to incentivize public transportation by assisting in promoting economic development strategies and enhancing public /private partnerships.
“WRTA is excited to be receiving this grant award as it will allow us to continue the success of building and testing new transportation options in Mahoning Valley,” Dean Harris, executive director of the Western Reserve Transit Authority, said. “This grant will allow WRTA to help test an autonomous shuttle in downtown Youngstown to provide safe and convenient service to link local business and connect WRTA’s fixed routes to the rest of the Valley.”