‘Vax & Ride’ aims to encourage transit riders to get vaccinated

ODOT's 'Rides to Community Immunity' program will fund contest

The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Rides to Community Immunity program will fund a “Vax & Ride” contest in Lake County to encourage public transit riders to get vaccinated and support the safety of transit transportation.

In partnership with ODOT and the Lake County General Health District, Laketran this week announced details for the contest to help further promote novel coronavirus vaccination.

Anyone who has received at least one dose of the

COVID-19 vaccine can enter to win a $100 Laketran bus pass, officials confirmed.

Those interested in a chance to win the Vax & Ride contest can complete an entry form online at www.laketran.com/vaxandride.

Entry forms are also available on board buses or can be downloaded and returned to Laketran, VAX & RIDE, 555 Lakeshore Blvd. Painesville Twp., OH 44077, along with proof of vaccination.

The TSA mask mandate had been set to expire Sept. 13 but on Aug. 18 it was extended to Jan. 18, 2022.

According to officials, an additional goal of the contest is to encourage transit riders to get vaccinated before the Sept. 13 deadline to continue to make public transit safe for both passengers and drivers.

“COVID-19 presented a lot of challenges for public transit,” said Laketran CEO Ben Capelle. “We have worked very hard to keep transit safe while continuing to get people to work, shopping and vaccinations, as well as ongoing medical care appointments, like dialysis.

“We appreciate that the state has continued to recognize transit employees as essential workers throughout this pandemic and has provided financial support and incentives to keep them safe,” he added.

The Vax & Ride contest is open until Sept. 17, when Laketran officials will randomly select 300 entries to win.

According to the agency, the ODOT program has already funded 1,200 free Laketran trips provided to residents, primarily seniors and people with disabilities, to access vaccination opportunities.

Laketran will also continue to provide free transportation to any COVID19 vaccination appointment.

“Laketran has done a great job keeping public transit safe for its riders throughout the various phases of this pandemic,” said Health Commissioner Ron Graham. “Over 57 percent of Lake County residents have begun their COVID-19 vaccination, but we’d like to see that number improve.

“We appreciate ODOT and Laketran’s help in making vaccinations accessible to everyone, and hope those who haven’t been vaccinated will be motivated by this contest.”

A list of local vaccination clinics is available at the Lake County General Health District website.

The contest limits one entry per person.

SUBMITTED Stephen Budinsky, a Wickliffe resident and U.S. Army veteran, holds his COVID-19vaccine card after recently receiving his first dose. Laketran is offering all transit riders a chance to take part in the “Vax & Ride” contest which will reward the winner with a $100bus pass.