Medina County Public Transit launches passenger notification system

MEDINA — Medina County Public Transit recently launched a passenger notification system to improve communication with riders. Medina County Public Transit Director Shannon Rine updated seniors on the new program, which launched in August, at an informational meeting at the office of Medina County Senior and Adult Services on Thursday. One part of the new passenger notification system is service reminders. Rine said people who use Medina County's public transportation will get an automated phone call in advance, which gives riders the option to confirm or cancel their trips. "The no-shows will be reduced because people are going to cancel, so we won't go out there," he said. "There is no need to place a separate call. I want you to feel confident that when you cancel that service, it's going to happen." The other new feature is arrival alerts, which notify riders when the bus is on its way. Rine said the alert will be sent when the bus is about 10 to 15 minutes away, giving riders time to get ready before being picked up. "I believe it's going to help us improve how the drivers get there, and you're ready," he said. "The reminder calls make room because we only have so much room on the bus." Medina County Public Transit has had zero trip denials in the last six months, Rine said. When he first started in his role several years ago, the agency had many trip denials because it ran a static, inflexible service. "Now we have an extremely flexible service, and people are on the bus on a shared ride basis," he said. "We don't want to do one at a time, so it's three or four people at a time who are going in the same direction, getting picked up. It's very important." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at 330-721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.