OPTA Prepares to Launch Statewide Safety Campaign


Safe Travel is Our Priority.

Safety remains a top priority for public transportation providers. As such, the Ohio Public Transit Association (OPTA) will launch Ride Easy Ohio, a statewide campaign highlighting safety initiatives to maintain public transportation as a safe and viable option during the
COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Throughout the state of Ohio, transit systems have taken significant steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Best practices include wearing facial coverings, practicing social distancing when possible, cleaning and sanitizing vehicles and facilities, practicing safe hygiene, and employee self-monitoring. In addition, transit systems are working closely with local and state health agencies to develop policies and procedures in conjunction with guidelines issued by governing municipalities.

OPTA recognizes the vital role public transit has played during this pandemic. Ohioans can ride easy knowing our public transit systems will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of passengers and employees.

For more information about Ride Easy Ohio, visit Ohio Needs Transit Ride Easy Ohio
or contact OPTA at admin@ohioneedstransit.org | 614.595.6919.

Campaign details and materials will be provided to member transit systems and mobility managers as confirmed.

OPTA's Ride Easy Ohio campaign mirrors the guidelines and commitment that our American Public Transit Association (APTA) has set forth within the Health and Safety Commitments Program as the public transportation industry’s overarching pledge to passengers that our systems are operating safely as North America recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

I want to thank the Ride Easy Ohio committee members, led by Claire Merrick with METRO RTA, for their work to share our message - Safe Travel is Our Priority.
Claudia Amrhein
President, OPTA | General Manager & CEO, PARTA
OPTA NEWS & UPDATES
The OPTA team is working to update all areas of the website and create easy access to information and materials.

Visit the OPTA website to see what's new.

Membership Page - OPTA has created a Member Portal to allow member access to program information and assets. The portal is password protected. Log in with OPTAmember - case sensitive - to access content for download. (No log out required.)

The portal includes folders for OPTA, Ride Easy Ohio, Excellence Awards and COVID-19. Within each folder, you will find logos, headers, letterhead, hot cards and press release templates for downloading and using within your organizations and program.

The portal will be updated with current assets as available.

Advocacy Page - OPTA Legislative State Weekly Reports will be available for members on a weekly basis. These reports share updates on the status of current bills within both the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the Week in Review.

OPTA Excellence Awards - OPTA has announced the Excellence Awards for 2020. Scheduling is under way with awards being presented in each transit community.

Award presentations will be shared with members through OPTA's website and social media. 


CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
APTA NEWS
NATIONAL AWARD RECIPIENT ANNOUNCED

CONGRATULATIONS
For the second time in three years, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has earned the Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award, recognizing the organization as the best transit organization of its size in North America.

The award was announced by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and recognizes COTA for demonstrating excellence in providing mobility options for the Central Ohio region. COTA received the international award in the midsize category for systems with an annual ridership of more than 4 million and fewer than 20 million passenger trips. In 2019, COTA’s ridership was 19,141,454, the highest since 1988. 


CEO Letter to All APTA Members
September 2, 2020


APTA’s Health and Safety Commitments Program is the public transportation industry’s overarching pledge to passengers that our systems are operating safely as North America recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.


OHIO NEEDS TRANSIT CONFERENCE & OPTA Expo 2021
OPTA wishes to thank the leadership, volunteers, partners, vendors and attendees for their support of OPTA, the transit industry and our statewide conference.  Over the past months, each and everyone have been handling a dynamic and escalating public crisis like we have never experienced.  You should be very proud that you have faced the challenges with compassion, professionalism and determination.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE and 2021
OPTA understands that the Conference and Expo is an important and popular program for professional education and networking among our transit systems.  

Planning is under way for Ohio Needs Transit Conference & OPTA Expo 2021.

Plan to Join Us! Details will be shared as confirmed.
UPDATES & SCHEDULES
Transit Career Opportunity
Richland County Regional Planning Commission (RCRPC)

Statewide Transit Weekly Conference Calls
Tuesdays | 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Call details have been sent through Outlook to OPTA members.

OPTA Member Board Meeting
Thursday, October 22, 2020 | 10 - 11:30 am
Details and documents for the Board Meeting will be sent prior to the meeting.
The Board Meeting will be scheduled as a conference call.

State of Ohio COVID-19 By the Numbers - 9.14.2020
138,484 Cases
14,378 Hospitalizations
4,419 Deaths
115,708 Presumed Recovered

For more information, visit:


Contact OPTA: admin@ohioneedstransit.org | 614.595.5919