Release Date: March 5,2026
METRO RTA Expands METRO NEXT Pilot to Increase Transit Access Across Summit County
March 4, 2026, Summit County, Ohio — METRO Regional Transit Authority is proud to announce the expansion of METRO NEXT, a pilot program designed to serve members of Summit County that do not have direct access to traditional bus service. METRO NEXT provides convenient travel options allowing passengers to book rides in advance by phone or through an app, improving access to public transit. This pilot program will run weekdays from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“This expansion of METRO NEXT reflects our commitment to making public transit more accessible for everyone in Summit County,” said Chief of Staff Jarrod Hampshire, “With METRO NEXT, we’re meeting residents where they are and providing a convenient, affordable option that connects them to the rest of our system. With this expansion most of Summit County will have access to METRO services.”
Each trip is five dollars for passengers traveling within the Service Zone up to 9.99 miles, with an option to transfer to METRO’s fixed-route service. METRO NEXT will provide more frequent, reliable, and accessible transit options to the northern, southern, eastern, and western regions of Summit County.
For information on METRO NEXT, visit yourmetrobus.org/NEXT. The METRO NEXT pilot period has been extended through 2026 and will be reevaluated and continuously monitored for best practices and service performance.
METRO RTA is the public transportation provider in Summit County. METRO enhances the quality of life for our community by providing innovative transportation solutions that are safe, equitable, dependable, cost effective, and customer-focused, now and into the future.