Hours of  Operation:
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday thru Friday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Saturday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sunday
Closed all major holidays.

ACCT INFORMATION

Mission Statement:

It is the mission of Ashland Public Transit, through the efforts of dedicated and well-trained employees to provide all citizens and visitors with safe, reliable and efficient transportation, which continues to grow to meet their needs.

TO USE  SERVICE :

Please call Ashland Public Transit at (419) 207-8240 to schedule your ride by providing where you want to be picked up and where you would like to be dropped off. Please provide the time for your pickup and drop off destination. If you need assistance from the curb to the vehicle please let us know when you call. 

Please remember Ashland Public Transit is a “Shared Ride Service” that is curb to curb service with a 15 minute window for pickup and drop off times.

ADA (American Disabilities Act) Service:        

Please call our dispatch number at 419-207-8240, if you are under ADA then you may qualify for a reduced fare. Ashland Public Transit is working to provide more service vehicles for ADA clients.

 Elderly Discount:

If you are 60 years of age and can show proof such as the Ohio Buckeye Card, driver’s license or birth certificate then you may qualify for a discount fare. For more information, please call dispatch at 419-207-8240.

Paratransit Language:

Currently, Ashland Public Transit permits three types of trips.

1)      Subscription Trips- A  pre-scheduled trip for a future date that has no end date. For example,  Jane Doe needs to go to the grocery store every Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

2)      Demand Response Trips- A pre-scheduled trip that is scheduled 24 hours before the actual trip is to run. For example, John Doe schedules a trip today to go to the doctor tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

      3)      Same Day Trips- Trips that are scheduled the day of the trip. For example, Jane Doe needs to go to the Pharmacy at 11:15 a.m. today.
           A new fare structure will be effective on October 2, 2003 for same day trips.

Computerized Dispatch Software:        

Ashland Public Transit has computerized routing and dispatching software. It is extremely important that you provide your name and address to the dispatcher so that you can utilize our service.

Also, if you know that you will use our service regularly please provide that information to our dispatchers so that they can schedule your trips. There is a strong recommendation that you provide the dispatcher with a Subscription Trip and/or Demand Response Trips.  This will provide more efficient and effective service for you if you help us with Subscription  and or Demand Response Trips.

This is important so that Ashland Public Transit can provide these same services without increasing fares further due to the budget cuts the system is facing from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

            Same Day Trips: Currently, Ashland Public Transit allows for same day trips.  Same day service has a new fare structure that will be effective October 2, 2003.
            For inside City limits, a same day trip is now $5.00 for the general public and $2.50 for the elderly and disabled.

            Scheduled in Advance: This means you will need to call the dispatcher to schedule your destination trip and return trip 24 hours in advance between the
            hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time the day before you plan to ride. If you schedule a ride after 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, then
            that ride will be charge the Same Day Service Rate. Also, you will need to schedule in advance your destination trip and your return trip. Please remember
            your return trip, and if you do not schedule in advance your return trip it will be charged at the same day service. All you need is to notify the dispatcher of
            your return trip so that APT can serve you efficiently


New Fare Structure Effective October 2, 2003:

Scheduled Ahead 24 Hour Reservations inside City limits

General Public	$ 3.00
Elderly/Disabled	$1.50
Under 12 with Adult	FREE
Under 12 without Adult	$1.50

For general public if the second person riding is going to the same destination as the general public rider, then the second person pays ½ price ($1.50) when they schedule ahead 24 hours. A $3.00 charge will be applied to no shows for general public and a $1.50 charge will be applied to no shows for the elderly and disabled on scheduled ahead reservations. Children under 12 are free with a fare paying adult. Child restraint seats are available if you call ahead to notify dispatch.

 
Same Day Service One-way Trips inside City limits

General Public	$ 5.00
Elderly/Disabled	$ 2.50
Under 12 with Adult	FREE
Under 12 without Adult	$ 2.50

For general public if the second person riding is going to the same destination as the general public rider, then the second person pays ½ price ($2.50) when they schedule for same day service.  A $5.00 charge will be applied to no shows for general public and a $2.50 charge will be applied to no shows for the elderly and disabled for same day service. Children under 12 are free with a fare paying adult. Child restraint seats are available if you call ahead to notify dispatch.

 
Fare Structure for Ashland County:

Scheduled Ahead 24 Hrs Reservations
 

Townships	Farebox
Ruggles	$15.00
Troy	$15.00
Sullivan	$15.00
Clear Creek	$9.00
Orange	$9.00
Jackson	$9.00
Milton	$9.00
Montgomery	$9.00
Perry	$9.00
Mifflin	$9.00
Vermillon	$9.00
Mohican	$9.00
Green	$15.00
Lake	$15.00
Hanover	$15.00

 
When two ride together going to same destination, then the second person pays $5.00 price. No show fee will be applied at $9.00 for these Townships: Clear Creek, Orange, Jackson, Milton, Montgomery, Perry, Mifflin, Vermillon, and Mohican. No show charge will be applied at $15.00 for these Townships: Ruggles, Troy, Sullivan, Green, Lake and Hanover.

 
Ashland County Same Day Service

 

Townships	Farebox
Ruggles	$18.00
Troy	$18.00
Sullivan	$18.00
Clear Creek	$12.00
Orange	$12.00
Jackson	$12.00
Milton	$12.00
Montgomery	$12.00
Perry	$12.00
Mifflin	$12.00
Vermillon	$12.00
Mohican	$12.00
Green	$18.00
Lake	$18.00
Hanover	$18.00

 
When two ride together going to same destination, then the second person pays $5.00. No show fee will be applied at $12.00 for these Townships: Clear Creek, Orange, Jackson, Milton, Montgomery, Perry, Mifflin, Vermillon, and Mohican. No show charge will be applied at $18.00 for these Townships: Ruggles, Troy, Sullivan, Green, Lake and Hanover.

Outside Ashland County Fare Structure:

Surrounding Counties: Richland, Medina, Huron, Lorain, Wayne, Knox, and Holmes $2.00 per mile outside City limits. The second person riding if going to the same destination as the rider then second person pays $5.00 flat fee

All Other Counties such as Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Summit $2.00 per mile outside City limits. The second person riding if going to the same destination as the rider then second person pays $10.00 flat fee.

HISTORY:

Beginning in the mid to late 1970’s Ashland and many other communities our size in the state developed a growing need for some form of Public Transportation.

Recognizing this need our State Government and the Federal Government got together and appropriated funds to fill this need.  These funds were made available to communities like ours in the form of grants.

To qualify for these grants, transportation had to be made equally available to all segments of our population, and the City of Ashland had to agree to provide a local share of funds.

When all of the criteria were met, the grant was approved; Ashland’s City Transportation System began on February 1, 1987.

Our Transportation System is mainly funded through grants provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration.

The Transition Phase:

 In the past, Ashland Public Transit ran like a “taxi service”. While a “taxi service” provides many advantages to the passengers such as individualized service, it is by its nature not very efficient. Now, the system needs to be in compliance with the grant from ODOT as it strives to become more of a Public Transit System.

The Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Transit will be providing the City of Ashland and Ashland Public Transit- Technical Assistance to conduct a Transit Development Plan to improve efficiency and productivity. This is one of the first steps to provide cost effective transportation.

Another step in our transition is converting our vehicles from sedans to handicapped accessible vehicles. This will be done over the course of the next few years through attrition.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: What Type Of Service Is Available?
Ashland Transit Service offers Shared Ride Service.  When you call the dispatcher please tell them what type of trip you will need: Subscription, Demand Response, or Same Day.

Q:  How Do We Operate?
Ashland Transit provides curb to curb service. This means that we will pick you up at your curb and drop off at the curb of your destination. We do not enter any private or public buildings.  When we are busy, we may stop and pick up other passengers along the way. You should always allow extra time to reach your destination.

Q: Do I Have To Be A Senior Citizen Or Disabled To Ride The Service?
NO!  Anyone can use the service offered by Ashland Transit.  We are a city-wide public transit service offered to all citizens in the area.

Q: When Does Ashland Transit Service Operate?
We are open Monday through Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We are closed on major holidays.

Q: What Does It Cost To Ride?
Our fare structure is as follows:

Regular fare Schedule Ahead 24 hours: one way for one person is $3.00. If you request an extra stop, it is an additional fare.

Same Day Service: one way for one person is $5.00. If you request an extra stop, it is an additional fare

Senior citizens and disabled Schedule Ahead 24 hours: with a discount card may ride for $1.50 per person, one way.

Senior citizens and disabled Same Day Service: with a discount card may ride for $2.50 per person, one way.

Transportation outside the Ashland city limits can be arranged through the dispatcher.

Q: Do I Have To Wear A Seatbelt While Riding In Vehicles?
Yes, all passengers must wear a seatbelt.  We also strap in all wheelchair passengers, using restraints in the vehicle. This policy is not only for your protection, it is the law. All children must ride in the back seat.  You may provide child seats or use the ones we have available. Please tell the dispatcher at time of call if you need a car seat.

Q: Can I Make Reservations In Advance?
Yes, actually we prefer reservations made in advance over same day service.

Q: How Far In Advance Can I Schedule In Advance A Ride?
One (1) month

Q: What If I Need To Cancel My Ride?
If you have placed a call to be picked up and change your mind or get another ride, please call us and cancel. Time spent looking for you causes other passengers to wait longer. If you are a “no show” you will be required to pay the “no show” fare before being permitted to ride again.

Q:  Can My Request For A Same Day Trip Be Denied?
We will not turn you down, but you may have to go earlier or later if all of the slots are filled. They are provided on a “first come-first served” basis.

Q: When Should I Be Ready?
If immediate pickup is requested, we try to pick you up within 20-30 minutes. However, when we are extremely busy, it may exceed half an hour.  Please be ready right after you call, as we try to work you in with other fares in order to reduce your wait.  If you have to be picked up at a certain time, we try to arrive no more than 15 minutes before or 15 minutes after your reserved time.

Q: What Information Do I Need To Give The Dispatcher When I Call?
The dispatcher will ask for your name, a pickup point (where you are) and your destination (where you want to go).If a child is the passenger riding, the dispatcher may ask for a phone number and alternate destination.  If you do not want to be picked up at the time you call, but at a later time, please tell the dispatcher first. You should inform the dispatcher if you are gong to more than one location, and want the driver to wait for you. We also need to know if you require a vehicle which is wheelchair equipped.

Q:I Work And Need My Child Picked Up At School and Dropped Off At Another Location. Can You Provide This Service?
Yes, Ashland Public Transit will pick your children up at school, the babysitter, etc. and take them wherever you designate. Just call the dispatcher and set up a call for the time you want us to take them. We also need to know who the responsible adult is at the destination in case there is nobody there when we arrive.  Also, be sure to give the dispatcher a phone number in case you need to be reached. Our drivers are instructed not to leave your children if no one is there. We need to be able to contact you for instructions should this happen.

Q: Can I Smoke In The Vehicle?
No smoking is allowed by the driver or passengers in any of our vehicles.

Q: My Husband Is Ill, and Is Unconscious. Can You Take Him To the Hospital?
No. You need to call “911” as we are not a medical transport service and our drivers are not trained to administer aid.

Q: What Will Happen If I Use Offensive Language or Become Physically Abusive?
If you do not immediately stop the verbal abuse and cooperate, you will be removed from the vehicle. Any physical abuse, an officer will be called. You can request a review of your riding status upon agreeing to refrain from such behavior.

Q: How About My Pet?
You may transport your pet to and from the vet in a cage.  Of course, service animals are always permitted to ride with you.

Q: Do I Need To Confirm My Ride?
If you have scheduled a ride with us and we are more than 15 minutes late, it would be a good idea to call us to make sure there was not a misunderstanding.

Q: I Don’t Like The Service I Received. Who Do I Complain To?
We hope you have enjoyed your ride with us, but on occasion, you may have a complaint.  Do not get angry with the driver; the drivers are doing their job and following instructions from the dispatcher.  Any problems or complaints with the transit service or employees should be directed to William Strine, Mayor of the City of Ashland or Anna Tomasek, Director of Finance.

Q: What If I Need Someone To Assist Me?
A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) may accompany you at no additional cost, If someone rides with you because you need assistance, that person should be with you at the time you are picked up.

Q: Will You Help Me With My Groceries, Etc?
Yes.  Assistance with bags in and out of the vehicle to the curb only. We do not enter private buildings.

Q: Will The Driver Assist Me?
Yes, the driver will help you with your walker, help you to your curb, help with your groceries, etc. It is helpful to us to know if you need extra help, and you should tell the dispatcher this when you call.

Q: Does Ashland Transit Operate In Bad Weather?
Yes, we make every attempt to continue operation in bad weather. However, if the Mayor as Safety Service Director determines that it is unsafe to operate the vehicles, there may be adjustments made in the schedule.

 Q: Will You Get Me To My Destination On Time?
We will make every effort to get you to your destination when you want to be there.  However, you need to call far enough ahead to make this possible.  If you need to be at work, have a court date, or a doctor’s appointment, please call us ahead of time so we can safely transport you.  Also consider that we may pick up other passengers along the way or experience delays due to road conditions.

This service is financed in part from an operating Assistance Grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration.