Breakout Sessions at Community Update Give Public a Voice In What’s Next

The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority’s Community Update: Driving Possibility has added a way to help attendees take an active role in learning more about the issues revolving around public transportation in northwest Ohio.

TARTA’s Community Update takes place Thursday, October 23 from 9-10 a.m. (registration begins 8 a.m.) at the Glass City Center. 

Following the program - which will cover updates to TARTA’s system and a conversation with nationally-recognized transit leader Inez Evans Benson – 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. Learn why these changes are taking place and how they will help TARTA improve.

Transit Oriented Development: Led by TARTA team members, City of Toledo personnel and Evans Benson – whose projects sparked more than $1 billion in development when she was the CEO at IndyGo. 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: Your community, your voice, your transit system. TARTA is hosting an interactive focus group for you to share what a more connected Toledo region looks like to you. Your insights on routes, accessibility, and new services are crucial for building our 2026–2031 Strategic Plan. Help us create a network that better serves you, your neighbors, and the entire community.

The Future of Mobility Workforce: Transit doesn’t work without the right people in the right places. Find out from TARTA’s Human Resources team what goes in to finding employees who have a passion for connecting people to the community.

Space is limited in breakout sessions, and those who wish to attend them are required to register. Reserve your spot at bit.ly/TARTACommunityUpdate25.

Inez Evans Benson is the Deputy Transit and Rail Market Lead for WSP in the U.S. WSP is a leading global professional services firm. Prior to WSP, Evans Benson she served as President and CEO of IndyGo in Indianapolis, overseeing a fleet of 200 vehicles and a budget of more than $210 million. She shepherded efforts to bring Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and zero emission buses to IndyGo and introduced the agency’s first all-electric bus line.