New Transfer Center Keeps Riders Safe and Improves Traffic Flow dedicated to Julie A. Cunningham

Ribbon Cutting and Dedication on December 1, 2014 at 10:00AM.

Lake County, OH – A special ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony is planned on Monday, December 1, 2014 at 10:00 AM to officially open the new Laketran Painesville Transfer Center on North St. Clair Street in Painesville, across from the County Administration building. The new transfer center will service the 130,000 annual riders who use Laketran Routes 1, 4, and 5.

By moving the station across the street, Laketran has enhanced safety for its passengers, improved the shelter area with ADA accessibility, and improved traffic flow for other vehicles by clearly defining where buses are to park and pick up passengers.

“The new location moves the buses off of St. Clair Street to improve riders’ access to the bus stop and safety by keeping the buses closer to the buildings. The heated shelters will keep riders protected from the coming cold and snow the next few months too,” commented Andy Altenweg, Laketran Deputy General Manager.

In addition to the station ribbon cutting, December 1, 2014 marks the 59th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ acts of defiance on a Montgomery, Alabama city bus that greatly influenced the human civil rights movement in America to legally end segregation.

“The basic freedoms of equality and access are principles that Laketran firmly embraces as we serve over 750,000 riders each year. We are proud to take part in this national day of remembrance as well as recognize one of our own past trustees, Julie A. Cunningham, for her efforts to provide minority professionals a voice in the transportation industry by dedicating this new Transfer Center in her memory,” shared Kevin Malecek, Laketran board president.

“While serving on the Laketran Board, Julie truly understood how important public transit was to the economic vitality of a community and was a devoted advocate to ensuring that the residents of Lake County had adequate service to jobs, healthcare, higher education and shopping for essential goods and service,” explains Altenweg.  Mr. Altenweg was head of operations during Ms. Cunningham’s tenure on the Laketran Board.

Ms. Cunningham served on the Laketran Board from 1998 through 2001 and in 2001 was appointed President/CEO of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials headquartered in Washington, D.C. Under her direction, the COMTO moved from a single focus on public transit to a multi-modal focus encompassing aviation, port authorities and state departments of transportation.

The Painesville Transfer Center was constructed by Platform Cement with engineering oversight by CT Consultants. The project was funded by 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent local match for a total cost of $287,752 and completed within budget.