Agencies want transit provider to stay

NORWALK — Ohio advocates are calling on a regional transit provider to continue providing service in Huron County. It comes after the North Central Area Transit, better known by the acronym NCAT, signaled its intent to cut its busing service in Huron County in mid-January. The transit agency operates offices in Tiffin, Galion and Norwalk and offers transportation services in Crawford, Huron and Seneca counties. In a statement North Central provided last week, the agency cited two primary reasons it was leaving Huron County: • A reduction in matching funding from Huron County Job and Family Services — whose clients utilize this transportation service — making its Huron County operation financially unsustainable. • Huron County employees were allegedly accessing North Central-leased property on South Norwalk Road West without authorization. Advocates respond Many who utilize North Central's services in Huron County, including clients of the Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities, are older individuals and/or people with disabilities. Two Ohio agencies that advocate for those with disabilities called on North Central to commit to continuing its service in Huron County. Alicia Hopkins, who grew up in Huron County and co-founded the disability rights advocacy group Ohio Advocacy Heartbeat, said North Central provides an essential service to many in the rural county. "Huron County doesn't have any transportation options for people in wheelchairs or people with disabilities," Hopkins said. "Taxi service is not affordable, and this service, through NCAT, serves a lifeline to many people with disabilities. (NCAT) pulling out is bad." She said that many people with disabilities use North Central rides to get to appointments with their doctors. Jennifer Kucera, chair of the Ohio Olmstead Task Force, emphasized how people rely on North Central transportation. "I know how difficult getting transportation can be, and that is why we are deeply concerned over this decision," Kucera said. "For many people, NCAT is the only way to get around at all." Both agencies penned letters to North Central, stating their cases on why the transport provider should not discontinue operations in Huron County: Ohio Advocacy Heartbeat letter Dear NCAT leadership and board of directors, Ohio Advocacy Heartbeat, a grassroots disability and community-advocacy group — along with advocates, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, family members and allies across Ohio — write to express deep concern regarding NCAT's decision to withdraw transportation services from Huron County beginning Jan. 17, 2026. This decision will significantly affect older adults, veterans and individuals with disabilities who rely on NCAT as their primary — and in many cases, only — means of transportation. NCAT provides essential access to medical appointments, employment, grocery shopping, banking, social services and meaningful opportunities for community involvement. For people with disabilities, consistent and accessible transportation is critical to community integration, independence and participation in daily life. For many residents, NCAT is not simply a public transit option: It is a lifeline. Without it, thousands of people who already face barriers to mobility will experience increased isolation and reduced access to essential care, supports and community connection. For these reasons, we respectfully call on NCAT to: • Reconsider the decision to end transportation services in Huron County • Engage directly with affected stakeholders — including seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, families and advocacy organizations — to fully understand the scope and consequences of this change • Provide a transparent transition plan that explains how current riders will be supported if services are reduced, restructured or transferred to another provider We believe NCAT has a responsibility to the communities it serves. Ending transportation in Huron County without a reliable and accessible alternative in place will disproportionately harm those who can least afford to lose these services. We urge NCAT to reconsider this decision and work collaboratively with local leaders, disability and aging advocates, veteran-support organizations, and community members to ensure transportation remains available for all who depend on it. Sincerely, Ohio Advocacy Heartbeat co-chairs Alicia Hopkins, self-advocate, Ohio resident and Dawn Bilpuch, self-advocate, Miami County, Ohio Jen Powers Alge, The Arc of Ohio, director of policy and civil rights, Cincinnati, Ohio Grant Isaacs, self-advocate, Warren County, Ohio Sarah Klingler, Akron, Ohio Gina Dennison, Huron County, Ohio Chelsea Correll, Huron County, Ohio Jessica Pacynski, City of Maumee ADA commission chair, Maumee, Ohio Ohio Olmstead Task Force letter to NCAT Note: A public hearing on the North Central situation occurred this week in Norwalk, which is referenced in the following letter. RE: The plan to terminate transit and paratransit services in Huron County The Ohio Olmstead Task Force (OOTF) is greatly concerned regarding the recent announcement to terminate transit and paratransit services in Huron County. We understand that different disabled advocates and organizations have reached out to the North Central Area Transit (NCAT) Ohio for clarification without any response. OOTF is a statewide grassroots coalition of Ohioans with disabilities of all ages, family members, advocates and organizations advocating for the right to live, work and participate in their communities. Formed in 2002, OOTF supports the Supreme Court decision that held unnecessary institutionalization is discrimination against people with disabilities. On behalf of this organization, we express our deepest concern for Ohioans in Huron County. As a group who advocates to ensure people with disabilities have access to their communities, we have questions regarding the following: • How will Huron County ensure people with disabilities have access to transportation services to leave their homes? • Since paratransit services are required when there is a fixed-line route, what plans does NCAT and Huron County have to ensure compliance with these regulations? • What plans do NCAT and Huron County have in order to provide various modes of transportation for all residents? • What plans do NCAT and Huron County have to increase employment for transit jobs? The Huron County Coordinated Public and Human Services Transportation Plan for 2026-2030 states: • "There are limited or no taxi or ride-sharing options available within the county. These services tend to be inconsistent and scarce, especially outside municipal areas and during evenings and weekends. This limited availability increases reliance on public and human-service transportation providers like NCAT and Senior Express." • "Additionally, the rural makeup of Huron County means that many residents live in areas with limited access to public transportation, highlighting the need for flexible, on-demand services. Individuals with disabilities represent another important demographic, requiring transportation that supports mobility aids and specialized assistance." • The coordinated transportation plan has listed "lack of accessible transportation" as the second-highest unmet need behind "insufficient staffing and driver shortages." Therefore, such a discriminatory decision to terminate transportation services does not align with the plan nor the rights of individuals to have access to public transportation. Even if there were non-traditional transportation services, such modes are not accessible for people with disabilities who have powered wheelchairs, mobility aids and other adaptive equipment. Senior transportation options do not cover folks under the age of 60. Additionally, people are limited to County Board of Developmental Disabilities services, which only assist folks who qualify for those services, not those with disabilities outside of the DD system. Transportation is a significant barrier for folks with disabilities, and many rely on public transportation, paratransit and other accessible modes of transportation to go to medical appointments, places of employment, community activities, other social events and provide public feedback. This public hearing should have been made hybrid and/or virtual because the very people who will be impacted the most by this decision will not be in attendance due to lack of transportation. People with disabilities have the right to access their community just as their peers without disabilities. OOTF urges NCAT and Huron County to reconsider the decision to remove paratransit services without the supports to institute a similar system for the individuals who utilize that service. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the contact below for additional conversation. Sincerely, Jennifer Kucera, chair, The Ohio Olmstead Task Force Brittanie Maddox, vice chair, The Ohio Olmstead Task Force