Community Update

2025 Community Update:
Driving Possibility

Team TARTA invites you to explore the future of transit in northwest Ohio on Thursday, October 23rd with Laura Koprowski, TARTA’s Chief Executive Officer. This exciting update features a fireside chat with Inez Evans Benson, a nationally recognized transit leader and former President and CEO of IndyGo, known for her passion for building stronger, more connected communities.

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Glass City Center
401 Jefferson Ave
Toledo, OH 43604

8:00 AM   Registration & Networking
9:00-10:00 AM*    Community Update

Light breakfast and coffee available

Attendees have the opportunity to:

• take part in breakout sessions*
• learn about upcoming service changes
• explore new vehicles & technology
• learn about TARTA’s Strategic Plan initiative

*Breakout sessions begin after the fireside chat and are available as first come first served. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

A recognized trailblazer in public transit, Inez Evans Benson leads the WSP National Bus Practice with a focus on building strong, resilient communities through the planning and delivery of equitable, FutureReady transit solutions. Prior to joining WSP, Evans served as the first Black woman President and CEO of IndyGo, the largest transit agency in Indiana. She is a champion for bus rapid transit (BRT) and Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) and strategies.

Ms. Evans Benson has a deep and thorough understanding of transit agency missions and goals to meet critical needs of unique communities. Her decades of experience at all levels of transit agencies informs her work at WSP where she leads a national practice of experts in all aspects of transit bus planning, implementation, operations, program management and strategy. She serves as a strategic advisor on innovation, operations, capital improvements, equity and sustainability to WSP transit clients throughout the country and around the globe.

She serves as an American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF) board member and committee member for Leadership APTA, and other committees. In addition, Ms. Evans Benson serves on the WTS International Executive Board as Treasurer and was recognized as 2023 COMTO Woman who Move the Nation, 2022 WTS International Woman of the Year and the 2021 WTS Indianapolis Woman of the Year.

Following the program, those in attendance are welcomed to attend breakout sessions to speak with experts about specific topics. Sessions include:

• What’s WorkLink?: More information on the workforce mobility study led by TARTA, the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership and the Toledo Metropolitan Council of Governments, aimed at those working or living in Wood County.
• January Service Changes: TARTA personnel discuss a major system update set to take effect January 25, 2026.
• Transit Oriented Development: Find out how and why investment in transit has been followed closely by development in projects around the country.
• Trailblazing for Toledo Transit: Help Shape TARTA’s Vision for the Future: An interactive focus group for you to share what a more connected Toledo region looks like to you.
• The Future of Mobility Workforce: Find out from TARTA’s Human Resources team what goes in to finding employees who have a passion for connecting people to the community.