The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce’s first MorningCONNECTIONS program following its July break featured an update from the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) on plans to restore full-service public transit to Greentown, Uniontown and Hartville.
Speaking Aug. 5 at Consumers National Bank in Hartville, SARTA Director of Planning Clayton Popik outlined the proposed Hartville Connector, a service designed to blend residential and visitor transportation needs throughout northwest Stark County. Also attending was SARTA Chief Operations Officer Mark Finnicum.
Chamber members welcomed the announcement, saying reliable public transportation is more than a convenience – it is an investment in the community. They said restoring service would strengthen access to one of the region’s premier tourism destinations by connecting visitors with Hartville MarketPlace and Flea Market, Hartville Hardware and Hartville Kitchen.
The proposed Hartville Connector also would make it easier for visitors to explore Historic Downtown Hartville businesses while expanding transportation options for older adults at GentleBrook and other residents needing access to grocery stores, pharmacies, medical appointments and other essential services. Chamber members also noted the service could help people without reliable transportation connect with employment opportunities throughout the region…