Findlay Council supports microtransit plan

FINDLAY — Findlay Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to donate $125,000 to support the establishment of a microtransit system by the Hancock Area Transit Service (HATS) in the city. Legislation that would make the donation in $25,000 increments to the Hancock Hardin Wyandot Putnam Community Action Commission (HHWP CAC) over the next five years was up for a third reading and vote at the regular meeting of council. On Tuesday, Councilwoman Holly Frische, R-1, questioned whether the legislation would be binding on future councils. City Auditor Jim Staschiak said no, the agreement will remain at council's discretion in the future. However, Mayor Christina Muryn said the city plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with the commission that would help guarantee the funding should a future council challenge it. The agreement would be similar to past donation commitments made by the city to Hancock County Raise the Bar and Hancock Public Health, Muryn said. Founded in 1997, HATS now employs over 50 people and has a fleet of 46 vehicles. It operates a demand-response system that allows riders to schedule transportation as needed. The HHWP CAC is its parent organization. The CAC is a private, nonprofit corporation established in 1965 to combat poverty in the four-county area. Last year, a plan by HATS to establish a fixed-route bus service in Findlay met with pushback from council due to its "big city" feel. There were also questions about the cost and how much a fixed-route system would be used in Findlay. The proposed microtransit system is an attempt by HATS to address those concerns, while still increasing its ridership capacity. The new system would be established within city limits and make HATS transportation available within an hour. Riders would make the request through a dedicated app. Hancock County residents outside of city limits would continue to be served by the existing demand-response system. The Hancock County Board of Commissioners, the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, along with private donors, have also agreed to donate to the development of the microtransit system. Mayor Christina Muryn, who has publicly supported the plan, urged council to make the donation. In a letter to council dated Sept. 3, Muryn said transportation continues to be "a barrier" in Findlay, whether it's for "work, medical appointments, shopping, or unexpected needs." "Through extensive discussion, it has been determined that moving to a microtransit model will expand capacity by 300% or 50,000 annual rides, provide more reliable service, reduce the need for major upfront capital investment, and better position our community for the potential of a fixed-route system," she said. In December 2024, council also agreed to a one-time, $100,000 donation to the HHWP CAC meant to help provide match money for a federal grant of more than $1 million awarded to HATS through the Ohio Department of Transportation to purchase five replacement vehicles. The funding required a $264,000 local match. The Community Foundation contributed a $100,000 grant towards the match, and the commissioners were asked to donate $64,000.