Agency’s longer holiday hours a gift to many

In extending its service hours for the holiday season, Laketran continues to impact lives countywide.

Later night hours on Laketran’s Local Routes 1-6 and Dial-a-Ride service hours will operate for the next seven weeks from Nov. 14 through Dec. 30.

Local Routes 1-6 serve the major corridors of Lake County, where many retail stores are located along Route 20, Vine Street and Lake Shore Boulevard, while also serving Great Lakes Mall and downtown business districts in Willoughby and Painesville.

Dial-a-Ride is a door-todoor, shared-ride service primarily used by seniors and people with disabilities.

The extended hours provide additional transit service so employees can work later during the holiday season and encourage riders to shop locally.

“About 60 percent of our

riders use the bus to get to work and many riders are employed at local retail stores and restaurants along our busiest routes,” said Julia Schick, Laketran’s director of communications. “They can now work later hours during the holiday season. We also have riders working past 8 p.m. who have to rely on others to get home from work and

this provides more transportation options.”

Mentor resident Mary Lohiser looks forward to the transit agency’s extended hours every year because it provides a little relief to her caregiving responsibilities for her 52-year-old autistic son, Doug.

“My son cannot drive, but works at Ohio Living Breckenridge Village until 8:30 p.m. during the week and Saturdays,” she said. “While he can get to work throughout the year using Laketran, I have to pick him up each

night. With extended hours, Doug can use Dial-a-Ride to get to and from work, giving him more independence and I don’t have to go out in the cold. He also uses the Route 1 to go shopping in Painesville. We both look forward to the extended hours each year.

“Doug has been taking Laketran for over 20 years. I remember when the services were cut and there was no Saturday, so we’re really thankful Saturday service is back and for the late night hours.”

During holiday hours, Laketran will operate two hours later on weeknights and Saturdays. Local Routes 1-6 will operate weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dial-a-Ride will operate weekdays 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with Americans with Disabilities Act Dial-a-Ride service available until 9 p.m.

For details on Laketran’s Extended Holiday Hours, call 440-354-6100 or visit www.laketran.com.