Laketran Reports Ridership Is Up 32 Percent After Service Expansion

Passengers are shown transferring between Laketran routes at the Painesville Transfer Center. (Image courtesy of Laketran)

Laketran (Painesville Township, OH) has announced an increase in ridership following the expansion of services earlier this year. Last May, Laketran expanded its Local Route and Dial-a-Ride hours to 5 a.m. – 9 p.m., as well as the doubling of service on Saturdays from two-hour headways to hourly service.

Laketran saw a 32 percent ridership increase comparing August 2023 to August 2022 ridership. The increase equates to nearly 7,500 more monthly rides.

“The implementation of these service enhancements reflects Laketran’s unwavering commitment to providing accessible and convenient transportation options for the residents of Lake County,” Laketran Board President Brian Falkowski said. “These changes have proven to be very effective by connecting more people to jobs and critical services.”

The extended operating hours have addressed a critical need for increased flexibility and accessibility for commuters, especially individuals working in manufacturing. The new hours support local businesses by giving employees the ability to get to work by 6 a.m. and improves cross-county transportation from Madison to Tyler Boulevard on Saturdays.

“Furthermore, the decision to transition from two-hour headways to hourly service on Saturdays has been met with overwhelming positivity from the community,” according to a press release. “This shift has greatly improved the convenience and reliability of public transportation, making it an even more attractive option for those who work or need to complete essential errands on weekends.”

“We are thrilled to see such a significant increase in ridership as a direct result of these service improvements. It reinforces our belief that accessible and reliable public transportation is a vital component of our community,” Laketran CEO Ben Capelle said, while expressing his gratitude for new riders as well as the commitment from his dedicated workforce.

“The ones who know that best are our front line employees. While many transportation agencies are challenged to expand due to a lack of a workforce, our employees continue to step-up and adapt to the needs of this community.”

For more information on Laketran and its services, visit www.laketran.com.