Laketran Modernizes Paratransit with New Rides

Pioneering Accessible, App-Based Transit in Lake County

BY JULIA SCHICK
Director of Communications
Laketran
and ERIK MADSEN
Product Manager
TripSpark Technologies

In a bold move toward inclusive and flexible mobility, Laketran, the regional public transportation system serving Lake County, OH, has launched Rides on Demand, a new app-based transit service that transforms traditional paratransit into a truly on-demand experience. The service operates much like a private rideshare—except it’s fully accessible, affordable, and designed for everyone.

“We’re proud to be one of the first transit systems in the country to launch this type of paratransit service that functions just like Uber or Lyft—but with wheelchair-accessible vehicles,” said Laketran CEO Ben Capelle. “There were simply no accessible rideshare options available for our seniors and riders with disabilities. We were tired of telling our paratransit customers we couldn’t help them when plans changed and they needed a same day trip.”

Rides on Demand was built on TripSpark’s technology platform, originally developed to support first-mile/last-mile microtransit solutions. Laketran saw an opportunity to go bigger—deploying it as a countywide on-demand service available to the general public, seniors, and individuals with disabilities alike. Riders can now use a smartphone app to book same-day, door-to-door transportation, request accommodations such as wheelchair accessibility, track vehicles in real-time, and even schedule trips for others.

Capelle credits the team for creatively adapting the technology to better serve Laketran’s community. “Our staff pushed hard to make this happen. They recognized we didn’t need to wait for a perfectly built paratransit solution. We could take what was out there, make it work for us, and give our riders—40 percent of whom use paratransit—more freedom and spontaneity.”

That spontaneity is life-changing for riders like Andrew Vogt, a wheelchair user and 25-year Laketran rider. “Now I can pick up last-minute shifts at work or say yes to a last-minute invite,” he said. “Before this, Uber couldn’t get me anywhere—and Dial-a-Ride had to be booked days in advance. This gives me options.”

For Laketran, Rides on Demand isn’t just about convenience; it’s about dignity and independence. With this innovative rollout, the agency is not only meeting customer needs, it’s redefining what equitable, modern paratransit can look like.

Looking ahead, Laketran and TripSpark are continuing the partnership with two key upgrades to enhance the user experience. First, the integration of EZfare mobile ticketing will allow customers to pay for their Rides on Demand trips directly through the app, creating a seamless and cashless payment process. Second, an upcoming feature will provide automated fixed-route suggestions after entering a trip, helping customers identify more cost-effective transit options when available.

These enhancements aim to further improve accessibility, affordability, and convenience for Laketran riders.