TOLEDO, Ohio — Since 1971, TARTA has been providing the Toledo community with affordable rides. Now the public transportation service is going green.
TARTA proved to the Ohio Department of Transportation that 70 percent of their riders use their service to travel to work or medical appointments. ODOT then awarded TARTA a $3 million grant, which the transit organization plans to use to lessen their carbon footprint.
EARLIER COVERAGE: $106 million in grants awarded to Ohio transit projects
TARTA said it will use the grant to purchase two 30-foot electric buses. The money will also be used on new transit and workforce development studies, simulators to train new drivers and enhanced shelters.
In addition to these eco-friendly expansions, a TARTA spokesperson said Toledo could also expect to see nine zero-emission vehicles and their plug-in charging stations within months. Those were acquired through previous grants.
The zero-emission vans will help transport riders with mobility limitations, and they come equipped with updated wheelchair lifts.
"I think it's incredibly important that we continue to update public transit. TARTA looks a lot different than it looked three years ago and I'm excited about what it will look like three years from now," said Andy Cole, TARTA Communication & Marketing Manager.
OTHER HEADLINES: $2.4 billion required to properly maintain Michigan county roads according to new report
TARTA's plan for the grant money will move them into the next stage of their development with the interest of the public and the planet in mind.
"It's important that we continue with customer focused improvements, the things that customers ask for and things that customers want. So, refreshing our fleet covers that, improving bus shelters covers that, and work force development definitely covers that," Cole said.
The TARTA spokesperson said their riders are not shy and they speak up about what they want. TARTA has a complaint and tip line along with community engagement events to get their feedback.
WATCH MORE FROM WTOL 11
Want more from WTOL 11?
➡️ Download the WTOL 11 news app for Apple here or get it in the Google store here.
➡️ Get a fresh start to your morning and wrap up your day with the latest news and your WTOL 11 Weather forecast delivered right to your inbox!
WTOL 11's Your Morning Blast and Your Evening Blast deliver stories from northwest Ohio, southeast Michigan and beyond to keep you informed.
Click here to get on the list!