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WRTA launches On Demand app to track late night rides

By Kelcey Norris Mahoning Matters

August 16, 2023 4:00 AM

There’s a new way to get a safe ride around Youngstown and Mahoning County after hours.

What is the WRTA Late Night On Demand app?

Residents can catch a bus ride when working late through the Western Reserve Transit Authority’s Late Night schedule. It runs between 9:15 p.m. and midnight Monday through Friday.

According to WRTA, the late-night service picks riders up and drops them off at any address or location within Mahoning County’s fixed route service area, so they don’t have to wait at a bus stop.

The extended hours have already been available for people who work, shop or return home between 9:15 and midnight on weekday evenings.

Now there’s another new way to get a ride home safely and efficiently later in the evening.

According to Dean Harris, executive director of WRTA, they’ve just launched an app for the WRTA Late Night service.

“We want make it easy as possible for those who must travel in the evening,” said Harris. “Using the On Demand app for Late Night is kind of like using the Uber app, except for a couple key differences: First, WRTA Late Night is a shared-ride services; and second, it’s free. There’s no fare required to use it.”

Users will reportedly even be able to track where the bus is while they wait using the new app.