City of Kent approves ordinance requiring facial coverings
July 17, 2020
Effective immediately, facial coverings are required in the City of Kent. Call the Health Department at 330-678-8109 with questions or concerns. These additional measures are needed to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community. The safety of City residents, guests, business owners, and patrons are best protected by implementing a facial covering requirement. To read the full face covering requirements and exceptions, visit the Face Mask Ordinance page.
ODOT seeks input on transportation plan
July 13, 2020
Ohio's draft long-range transportation plan called Access Ohio 2045 is available for public review and comment from July 13 - August 31, 2020. The draft plan was developed by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) based on input from the public and subject matter experts. It will guide the state's transportation policies and investment strategies for the next 25 years. Public feedback on the draft Plan is encouraged. To download the Plan visit Access.Ohio.gov. Feedback may be provided through a survey found here. Tod receive a printed copy of the Plan and survey, or to have ODOT meet specialized communication needs, email access.ohio.2045@dot.ohio.gov or call 624-466-7410
May 29, 2020
Beginning June 1, PARTA is launching several safety initiatives as it restores transit service on local fixed routes and countywide Dial-A-Ride (DART) services to preCovid-19 levels. These safety measures are rooted in protecting the safety and health of drivers and passengers while riding public transit buses.
May 21, 2020
Fare collection will resume on Monday, June 1 for PARTA Fixed route and Dial-A-Ride service. Regular fixed route fare is $1 per trip or $2 for an all-day pass on local routes. Dial-A-Ride fare is $6 per trip. Express service to Akron and Cleveland remains suspended until further notice.
May 7, 2020
Beginning the week of May ll the PARTA will start ramping up service on some routes following temporary reductions due to COVID-19. The transit system plans to return to approximately two-thirds of its normal capacity as it gradually restores fixed route service. Epress buses to Akron and Cleveland remain suspended.
May 6, 2020
Today the Federal Transit Administration announced a $4.1 million grant award to PARTA as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The grant will allow PARTA to continue to provide transit service and pay for wages and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 5, 2020
PARTA General Manager Claudia Amrhein has been elected to serve as 2020 president of the Ohio Public Transit Association. OPTA is the primary advocate for public transportation in Ohio. Amrhein took office following approval by OPTA members at their annual meeting in April. She will balance her volunteer responsibilities to OPTA with her duties at PARTA.
April 9, 2020
PARTA has provided its drivers with face masks and is encouraging riders to wear them too. Recently Governor Mike DeWine began urging Ohioans to use facial coverings as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The suggestion concerning facial coverings is just one of the moves PARTA is endorsing.
PARTA Is Still in Service
April 8, 2020
PARTA continues to be there for essential trips and Portage County's essential workers who need us. Our buses are sanitized regularly as we maintain our efforts to provide safe trips for our riders in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please view our video below.
March 30, 2020
PARTA is making significant changes to its operating schedule. Service modifications will take effect Wednesday, April 1 and will remain in effect until further notice. A sharp decline in ridership and the necessity to implement rotation staff schedules precipitated the adjustments in an effort to comply with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's 'Stay at Home' order issued to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
March 24, 2020
The lobby of the Kent Central Gateway (KCG) parking deck and transit facility will be closed to the public from Tuesday, March 24 until further notice. Transit riders will no longer have access to the KCG lobby or its bathroom facilities.
March 20, 2020
Effective Monday, March 23, PARTA will close its administrative office to the public. The facility located at 2000 summit Road in Kent will remain closed until Monday, April 6. Administrators will re-evaluate the need to keep the building closed to the public at that time. PARTA employees will continue to report to work.
March 17, 2020
Effective March 18, PARTA will discontinue collecting fare from passengers to facilitate social distancing for its drivers and transit passengers. until further notices, passengers riding PARTA's fixed route, demand response or ADA service will not be charged fare while COVID-19 prevention measures are in full effect.
March 11, 2020
PARTA is actively engaged in efforts to ensure the health and safety of its passengers and employees during the novel (new) coronavirus outbreak that has impacted many parts of the country. While the risk of contracting the disease is low, PARTA acknowledges that people may be feeling anxiety and concern about the safety of public transit.