Provide capital project funding for multiple projects including transit revenue vehicle acquisition capitalized maintenance short-term planning and bus terminal rehabilitation and equipment

The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority $5.173 million on May 15, 2026, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to fund capital projects serving public transit in Portage, Summit, and Cuyahoga Counties, Ohio.

The award funds procurement of 35 transit vehicles combining expansion and replacement stock, capitalized maintenance activities, short-term planning initiatives, and rehabilitation of Parta's multi-modal transit facility in downtown Kent, Ohio. Specific facility work includes concrete repairs and fire suppression sprinkler system installation. The activities aim to replace outdated vehicles, lower fleet age, reduce maintenance costs, expand the light transit and demand response service through a new micro-transit offering, and improve system operations and reliability through implementation of Parta's Transit Development Plan. Bus terminal repairs will enhance rider safety and maintain facility compliance with Federal Transit Administration standards.

The period of performance extends from May 15, 2026, through March 30, 2028. Work is performed in Ohio, with the primary transit facility located in downtown Kent. The intended beneficiaries are public transit riders in Portage County and passengers utilizing express routes to Akron and Cleveland, with broader regional air quality benefits from fleet modernization across the three-county service area.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide capital project funding for multiple projects including transit revenue vehicle acquisition capitalized maintenance short-term planning and bus terminal rehabilitation and equipment.

Activities

The activities to be performed include a 35 transit vehicle procurement a light transit vehicle bus-buy which includes both expansion and replacement vehicles as well as eligible capitalized maintenance and planning activities. This grant also includes concrete repairs and fire suppression sprinkler equipment for partas multi-modal transit facility in downtown kent ohio.

Expected outcomes

The expected outcomes of the grant are to enable parta to replace outdated vehicles lower the age of partas fleet reduce maintenance costs and meet preventative maintenance standards which will keep transit equipment and facilities in a state of good repair. Other expected outcomes include expanding partas light transit fleet and demand response service to include a new micro-transit service. Planning activities will improve system operations and reliability and implement partas new transit development plan (TDP) ensuring the sustainability of public transportation in portage county ohio. Finally partas bus terminal repairs will enhance the safety of public transit riders and support the long-term sustainability of the facility ensuring IT remains in a state of good repair in accordance with FTA standards.

Intended beneficiaries

The intended beneficiaries of this funding are public transit riders in portage county ohio as well as passengers that utilize partas express routes to akron and cleveland ohio. This award will benefit riders by improving the safety and service reliability of public transit services. In addition removing outdated vehicles from ohios roads improves the air quality for all residents in the region particularly within the counties that parta serves-portage summit and cuyahoga county ohio.