WRTA breaks ground on new bus barn, investing in Youngstown’s future
Community stakeholders and regional leaders celebrated a major reinvestment in the future of Youngstown’s public transit capabilities.
On June 22, Western Reserve Transit Authority broke ground at the site of a new state-of-the-art bus facility to replace their nearly 100-year-old annex building.
Dean J. Harris is the CEO of WRTA.
“This is much more than a building project—it’s an investment in our future,” he said. “Strong communities require strong infrastructure, and that’s exactly what this project delivers.”
Located along the Mahoning Avenue corridor, Harris said the new bus barn positions WRTA to continue serving as a leader in transit and transit technologies while supporting the growth and development of the Mahoning Valley.
“By investing in modern facilities today, we’re ensuring that WRTA remains prepared to meet the transportation needs of our community for generations to come,” he said.
Project leaders noted that the new facility has been designed to accommodate the evolving needs of public transportation while providing flexibility for future technological advancements.
Ray Jaminet is the principal architect at Olsavsky Jaminet.
“This project is about designing a facility that will serve WRTA’s needs not only today, but for generations to come,” Jaminet said. “The new bus barn has been carefully planned to maximize operational efficiency, enhance fleet maintenance capabilities and provide the flexibility needed to support emerging transit technologies. Every aspect of the design reflects WRTA’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and delivering reliable service to the community.”
The new bus barn is supported by more than $5.5 million in Federal Transit Administration funding secured over multiple grant cycles. Through careful financial stewardship and long-term strategic planning, WRTA was able to responsibly support the required local investment without increasing costs to riders or local taxpayers.
Construction is expected to begin immediately following the groundbreaking ceremony and is expected to be completed by late winter/early spring 2027.
