December 17, 2025 (LORAIN COUNTY, OH) — Lorain County today announced that Lorain County Transit has been awarded $2.8 million in funding through the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program, which supports transportation projects that reduce emissions and ease traffic congestion. The program is administered regionally by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA).
The funding will be used to expand operations of ViaLC, Lorain County’s on-demand microtransit service, which launched in Elyria and Lorain in July 2024. ViaLC was designed to expand access to reliable public transportation across the county—particularly in areas that are difficult to serve efficiently with traditional fixed-route bus service.
Since launch, ViaLC has seen strong adoption and rider satisfaction, including:
With the new CMAQ funding, Lorain County will expand ViaLC service hours on both weekdays and weekends. Extended weekday hours will allow workers in existing service areas to access local major employers, including those operating second and third shifts. New weekend service will provide a critical transportation option for retail and service workers at major employment hubs such as Light House Commons, and downtown Lorain.
How ViaLC Works
ViaLC is an on-demand, technology-powered public transit service designed to complement traditional bus networks. Using Via’s intelligent algorithms, the service matches multiple riders traveling in the same direction into a shared vehicle, directing riders to nearby pickup and drop-off locations. This approach minimizes detours while delivering efficient, flexible service and near-universal coverage in areas not served by fixed-route transit.
To learn more about ViaLC, please visit city.ridewithvia.com/lorain.
###
About Lorain County Transit:
Lorain County Transit (LCT) promotes efficient and economic transportation, encouraging economic development and increasing opportunities to enhance independence and quality of life in Lorain County. LCT provides fixed bus routes, Dial-A-Ride and Microtransit services.Located on the 4th floor inside the Lorain County Purchasing office at 226 Middle Avenue in Elyria, Ohio, representatives with LCT can be reached at (440) 329-5525.
About Via:
Via is the technology backbone of a modern transportation network. We transform public transportation systems into dynamic networks, based on data and demand. Cities and transit agencies around the world adopt Via’s suite of software and technology-enabled services to replace fragmented legacy systems and consolidate operations. As a result, Via lowers the cost of providing transit, improves the passenger experience, and brings more riders on board. Today, the Via platform is utilized by hundreds of cities across more than 30 countries to create public transportation systems that connect people with jobs, healthcare, and education.