About Us

Laketran is the regional transit authority for Lake County, Ohio. The agency was established on December 23, 1974 by resolution of Lake County Commissioners Robert Martin, John Platz and Michael Coffee. The name Laketran, was adopted in 1979.

Laketran provides three types of bus services: local fixed routes, commuter express routes and demand response. All services are open to the public, including Dial-a-Ride, the agency’s door-to-door demand response service. The fleet servicing these routes consists of 16 low-floor local route buses, 22 motor coach buses for commuter express routes and 76 paratransit vans for Dial-a-Ride. Laketran’s fleet is 100% accessible.

Laketran carries just over one million passengers on an annual basis. Approximately forty percent (40%) of passengers use the local fixed routes, twenty-five (25%) percent use the commuter express service, and thirty-five percent (35%) use Dial-a-Ride. Laketran’s annual operating budget is $13.6 million for 2009. The agency’s primary source of income is a one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) sales tax levy, which accounts for seventy percent (70%) of Laketran’s revenues. Approximately ten percent (10%) of revenues are generated from passenger fares and the remaining twenty percent (20%) from federal and state grants.

Laketran is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees. Trustees are appointed for three-year terms by the Lake County Commissioners. Trustees set policy and oversee strategic direction. They meet monthly. Daily operations are managed by an administrative team consisting of a General Manager, Deputy General Manager and departmental directors of operations, human resources, maintenance, finance and communications. Laketran employs just over 150 full and part-time drivers.

Laketran was recognized by the American Public Transit Association for Outstanding Achievement for a small system in 2000 and again in 2005. The agency has also consistently been awarded recognition for excellence in financial budgeting and reporting, communications and federal triennial reviews.