METRO RTA Launches New Service in Southern Summit County

1/28/2025

The METRO Regional Transit Authority, Akron, OH, has launched METRO NEXT, a pilot program designed to bridge the gap between southern Summit County communities and METRO Direct fixed-line routes and offering curb-to-curb service within the Service Zone.

“The launch of METRO NEXT is a crucial step in expanding our transit network to better serve the needs of our community members,” said Nathan Leppo, METRO’s director of planning and strategic development, “By offering an on-demand service to more residents of Summit County, we are ensuring they have access to public transportation when they need it most.”

The pilot will run weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Passengers can book rides in advance by phone or through an app. The pilot will be re-evaluated after 12 months of service.