Region 5 Coordinated Transportation Plan
In recent years, ODOT began assessing regional coordination to solve a major problem; that there was no statewide coordinated transportation planning coverage. Transportation does not just occur within county lines, nor is it limited to just within a regional boundary. Most of Ohio’s 88 counties have some sort of public transportation, but there counties who have no services at all, and Specialized Transportation Program 5310 funding is limited making the application process more competitive. Because of these reasons, regional coordination may be the best method to increase efficiency.
The Regional Coordinated Plan is a Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the 8 counties in Region 5. The 8 counties in Region 5 are; Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland and Seneca. Regions were selected by ODOT based on current boundaries of MPO’s, RTPO’s, Department of Medicaid, Department of Health, and Area Agency on Aging’s. This plan will be developed and completed between 2025-2026. Each county will still have its local Coordinated Plan, however ODOT is piloting a regional aspect which will enable counties to collaborate on transportation services and make connections across county lines to better serve residents and give them access to out of county destinations.
The Region 5 Coordinated Transportation Planning process will begin in January 2025. It will combine all the established county Coordinated plans into one Regional Coordinated Plan. The Region 5 Mobility Planner, Lyndsie Martin, will work with the Mobility Managers in the region to gather information needed to begin the planning process. It is the purpose of this plan for local stakeholders to work collaboratively to do the following:
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Identify available regional resources for transportation
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Establish regional transportation challenges and needs
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Create a regional plan for achieving shared goals
RCRPC is committed to working with Mobility Managers of Region 5 to identify and remove transportation barriers for all residents. Transportation is a critical component to quality of life. Transportation pro vides access to jobs, education, healthcare, human services and allows community members, including older adults and people with disabilities, to live independently and engage in community life.
Region 5 Mobility Managers:
Jim Oliver, Mindy Birkholz, Courtney Curtis- Crawford, Huron, Marion, Marrow, Seneca - 1-800-775-9767
Joe Porter - Knox - 740-485-5002
Randy Hutchinson - Richland - 567-247-6483
Regional Mobility Planner:
Lyndsie Martin, 419-774-6203
Public Comment period for the Draft 2025-2029 Region 5 Coordinated Transportation Plan will be available here in late summer, early fall. Stay tuned.