Update: April 19, 2022 – TSA end Mask Mandate Immediately

Laketran is no longer requiring customers or operators to wear masks/facial coverings while on buses or at transit centers, effective immediately.

This decision is in line with the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) announcement that it would no longer enforce the requirement on airplanes or public transit, due to a federal court ruling.

While no longer required, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings. We encourage anyone who is not fully vaccinated, feeling ill, or who is immunocompromised to use caution and consider facial coverings for their personal safety.

Masks continue to be available on-board.

We appreciate our team members and transit riders who have helped reduce the spread of COVID-19, so we can continue to provide safe, essential transit service to the community.

Update: April 13, 2022 – Mask Mandate Extended to May 3

At CDC’s recommendation, TSA has extended the security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for 15 days, until May 3.

Laketran is adhering to these face mask requirements, therefore masks are still required on board Laketran vehicles and in Laketran shelters and transit centers.

Update: March 10, 2022 – Mask Mandate Extended

At CDC’s recommendation, TSA has extended the security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for one month, through April 18th.

Laketran is adhering to these face mask requirements, therefore masks are still required on board Laketran vehicles and in Laketran shelters and transit centers.

UPDATE: December 3, 2021 – Face Mask and Vaccine Transportation Update

Face Masks are still required on all Laketran Services. Laketran is adhering to face mask requirements set by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which states that face masks are required for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through March 18, 2022.

Vaccine Transportation – Laketran will continue to provide free transportation to in county COVID-19 vaccination and booster appointments. Customers can use Laketran’s local route buses or door-to-door Dial-a-Ride service.

For Laketran’s door-to-door Dial-a-Ride service, customers must schedule a reservation by calling 440-354-6100.  Laketran recommends making a reservation for Dial-a-Ride as soon as you have a confirmed vaccine appointment. Reservations for Dial-a-Ride can be made a minimum of one day in advance and up to 12 days prior to an appointment. Residents who prefer to take Laketran’s Local Routes 1-9 can call Laketran Customer Service at 440-354-6100 and request four bus passes be mailed to them or added to their EZfare account.

UPDATE: August 18, 2021 – Laketran announces VAX & RIDE Contest

Ohio Department of Transportation’s Rides to Community Immunity program is funding a VAX & RIDE contest in Lake County to encourage public transit riders to get vaccinated and support the safety of transit drivers.

The VAX & RIDE contest is open to anyone who has received at least one does of the COVID-19 vaccine.  Contest participants have a chance to win a $100 Laketran bus pass by completing entry form and submitting proof of vaccination.  300 winners will be randomly selected from entries.  All entries must include proof of vaccination status to be valid.  The VAX & RIDE contest is open until September 17, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

Winners have the choice to add $100 to their EZfare Account Balance, Dial-a-Ride account or receive a $100 Value Card. Winner will be notified by email and fares will be automatically added to their EZfare or Dial-a-Ride accounts, based on their entry form.

Ways to enter the VAX & RIDE contest:

• Complete online entry form and upload proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• Download Laketran’s VAX & RIDE Contest Entry Form and return to Laketran with proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• By mail to Laketran, VAX & RIDE, 555 Lakeshore Blvd. Painesville Twp., OH 44077
• In-person Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Laketran’s Headquarters at 555 Lakeshore Blvd. in Painesville Twp.  Laketran’s Route 8 or Dial-a-Ride can get you to Laketran.  Customers must pay a fare when traveling to Laketran to submit VAX & RIDE entries in-person.
• Email entry form and proof of vaccination to kjonke@laketran.com

Laketran continues to provide free transportation to get to vaccination appointments.  Please call Laketran at 440-354-6100 to schedule your free ride.  A list of local vaccination clinics is available on the Lake County General Health District website.

UPDATE: May 18, 2021 – Face Mask and Vaccine Transportation Update

Face Masks are still required on all Laketran Services. Laketran is adhering to face mask requirements set by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which states that face masks are required for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through January 18, 2022.

Vaccine Transportation – Laketran will continue to provide free transportation to in county COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Customers can use Laketran’s local route buses or door-to-door Dial-a-Ride service.

For Laketran’s door-to-door Dial-a-Ride service, customers must schedule a reservation by calling 440-354-6100.  Laketran recommends making a reservation for Dial-a-Ride as soon as you have a confirmed vaccine appointment. Reservations for Dial-a-Ride can be made a minimum of one day in advance and up to 12 days prior to an appointment.

Residents who prefer to take Laketran’s Local Routes 1-9 can call Laketran Customer Service at 440-354-6100 and request four bus passes be mailed to them or added to their EZfare account.

UPDATE: March 12, 2021 – Laketran Vaccination Shuttle Service to Wolstein Center Mass Vaccination Site

Laketran is providing free transportation to Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center vaccination distribution Monday-Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. from Laketran’s Transit Center at Lakeland Community College starting on Wednesday, March 17. The last daily departure from Lake County to Cleveland is 4:15 p.m.

In order to maintain social distancing onboard, reservations to travel downtown are required by calling Laketran at least one day in advance at 440-354-6100.

Those interested in being vaccinated can sign-up at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. More information about scheduling an appointment by phone or in-person can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov.

How Laketran Can Get You There

Laketran Local Routes 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9 and Dial-a-Ride can get you to the Laketran Transit Center at Lakeland Community College. From there, you can take the Vaccination Shuttle service to Cleveland. Shuttle service will depart every 30 minutes from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.  Free parking is available at the Transit Center, located at 7601 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, OH 44094.

Once you arrive in Cleveland, Laketran will layover at RTA’s Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center that is located next to the vaccination site.  From the Transit Center, you will walk across E.21^st Street to the CSU Wolstein Center. The walk is less than a ¼ of a mile.

Laketran plans to operate the special shuttle service throughout the duration of the eight-week vaccination program. This service is being provided free of charge, supported by ODOT and FEMA.

Laketran is also providing free transportation on its in-county Local Routes and Dial-a-Ride service when traveling to get your vaccine. If residents need to use either Local Route or Dial-a-Ride to connect to the Vaccination Shuttle at the transit center, it will be provide free of charge.  If you need fare assistance, please call Laketran at 440-354-6100.

The Vaccination Shuttle service is available to any resident.  Masks are required to ride Laketran and while waiting at the Transit Centers.

Download the Laketran Vaccination Shuttle service map and schedule.

Shuttle Service Map

Vaccination Shuttle Schedule

Laketran’s daily Park-n-Ride service can also get people to downtown Cleveland and Laketran’s Local Routes offer a free transfer to RTA.

For more information, please contact Laketran Customer Service at 440-354-6100.

Updated: Friday, February 5, 2021 – Free transportation to COVID-19 vaccination sites

Laketran is providing free, accessible transportation to any Lake County resident in need of a ride to a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.

Lake County residents can use Laketran’s local route buses or door-to-door Dial-a-Ride service.

For Laketran’s door-to-door Dial-a-Ride service, customers must schedule a reservation by calling 440-354-6100.  Laketran recommends making a reservation for Dial-a-Ride as soon as you have a confirmed vaccine appointment. Reservations for Dial-a-Ride can be made a minimum of one day in advance and up to 12 days prior to an appointment.

If a vaccination appointment is at a drive-thru site, Laketran customers will remain on the same bus for the entire trip. Laketran will transport residents through the entire vaccine process and return you home safely.

Residents who prefer to take Laketran’s Local Routes 1-9 can call Laketran Customer Service at 440-354-6100 and request four bus passes be mailed to them or added to their EZfare account.

Lake County residents who need transportation assistance to get a COVID-19 vaccine can call Laketran at 440-354-6100 to schedule a Dial-a-Ride or get route information.

Updated: Thursday, November 12, 2020 – Laketran commits to state and federal protocols

As COVID cases rise, Laketran has pledged to statewide and national initiatives taking on additional precautions to ensure the health and safety of both our riders and employees.

• Following public health guidelines from official sources
• Cleaning and disinfecting transit vehicles daily and requiring face coverings and other protections
• Practicing social distancing by monitoring passenger loads and capacities
• Keeping passengers informed and empowered to choose the safest ways to travel and pay their fare
• Putting health first by requiring riders and employees to avoid public transit if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or feel ill

These programs also center on shared commitments during the COVID-19 crisis – transit agencies doing their part and we encourage transit riders doing theirs. Public Transit agencies all around the country are working hard every day to provide riders with a safe and healthy transit experience, but we can’t do it alone, we also need help from you, our riders.  For every safety precaution we take, we ask riders to share in the responsibility and take precautions such as: wear a mask, wash/sanitize yours hands regularly, social distance on board buses, and if you aren’t feeling well, stay home.

Per new CDC recommendations, Laketran will refuse to board anyone not wearing a mask and require all people onboard to wear masks for the duration of travel.  Anyone who refuses to wear a mask is not permitted to board Laketran.

Mask use may be exempted for the following categories of people:

• a child under the age of 2 (masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2);
• a person with written instructions from a licensed medical provider to not wear a mask;
• a person with a disability, mental health condition, or sensory sensitivity that prevents that person from wearing a mask;
• a person who is hearing impaired, or communicating with someone who is hearing impaired, when the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;
• a person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal regulations; or
• a person operating or essential to operating a conveyance for whom wearing a mask would interfere with that person’s ability to safely operate the conveyance.

Updated: Wednesday, September 2, 2020 | 4:00 p.m.

Driver barriers installed on Local Route buses – As an additional COVID-19 safety precaution, plexiglass barriers have been installed next to the driver’s seat on all of Laketran’s Local Route buses.

Currently, Laketran has suspended fare collection and mandated rear door boarding for all customers until September 30.

These barriers are in place to provide an additional layer of protection between our drivers and customers when fare collection and front door boarding resumes on October 1.

Updated: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 | 11:00 a.m.

Laketran is adding a third bus to Route 1 so customers can properly social distance on board. Beginning Monday, August 17, Route 1 will operate every 40 minutes instead of 60 minutes on weekdays.

The extra bus on Route 1 will increase the seating capacity of the route while providing customers with 14 additional Route 1 departure times throughout the day.

Route 1 will continue to operate on two-hour headways on Saturday.

Check out our video on Riding Safely during COVID-19 for Dial-a-Ride customers.

Updated: Wednesday, July 22, 2020 | 4:30 p.m.

Effective July 23 at 6:00 p.m, all customers riding Laketran services are required to wear a mask in accordance with the Ohio Department of Health’s statewide mask mandate.

Customers can request a mask be mailed to them for their next trip on Laketran by filling out our online form or by  calling 440-354-6100.

We have also installed mask and hand sanitizer stations on board all of our Local Route and Park-n-Ride buses for our customers.

UPDATED: Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | 10:00 a.m.

Fare Suspension extended until September 30 – To continue practicing social distancing on board buses, Laketran is suspending fare collection on all trips until September 30, 2020.

Safe Seating on Local Routes – Ridership on Local Routes is increasing as more people go back to work.  Please remember to social distance by sitting 6 feet from other riders and the bus driver while on-board.  Laketran has labeled seats to use to encourage distancing on Local Route buses.  Please adhere to signs.

Wear a mask – To help protect customers and employees, we strongly recommend all customers wear a face covering or mask while riding public transportation, in addition to social distancing.

All customers riding Park-n-Ride Routes 10-13, Local Route 2 (serving Euclid), and Dial-a-Ride service into Cuyahoga County must follow the ODH mask mandate for Cuyahoga County. Masks are required in Cuyahoga County while waiting for and riding public transportation.

Need a mask? Request one today! Customers can request a mask to be mailed to them for their next trip on Laketran by filling out a form online or calling 440-354-6100. Due to limited supply, we can only provide one mask per customer. Face coverings can also be made with items, such as scarves, bandanas, or t-shirts. The CDC has tutorials on how to create non-sew masks here.

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 | 9:00 a.m.

Regular Park-n-Ride service resumes Monday, May 4 – With general office settings reopening on May 4, all Laketran Park-n-Ride routes will resume their regular schedules.

Fare Suspension extended until May 31 – To continue practicing social distancing on board buses, Laketran is suspending fare collection on all trips until May 31, 2020.

Let’s Ride Safely Together. Need a mask? Let us know – To help protect customers and employees, we strongly recommend all customers and employees wear a face covering or mask while riding public transportation, in addition to social distancing. Customers can request a mask to be mailed to them for their next trip on Laketran by filling out a form online or calling 440-354-6100. Due to limited supply, we can only provide one mask per customer. Face coverings can also be made with items, such as scarves, bandanas, or t-shirts. The CDC has tutorials on how to create non-sew masks here.

Essential Trips Only – Laketran continues to request that residents limit travel on public transit to essential trips.

UPDATED: Friday, April 3, 2020 | 8:30 a.m.

Laketran launches Home-Delivered Grocery Program for seniors, starts virtual Travel Training

UPDATED: Monday, March 30, 2020 | 2:30 p.m.

UPDATED: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 | 8:15 a.m.

Laketran continues to operate essential trips, modifies Park-n-Ride, suspends fares

In accordance with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Stay at Home order, Laketran requests that residents limit travel on public transit to essential trips as defined by the Ohio Department of Health. Laketran is glad to do our part in getting our community through this crisis, but for your safety and the safety of our employees and we encourage you to stay home if possible. What are essential trips?

Out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of our employees and customers, starting Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Laketran is suspending fare collection for all services until Thursday, April 30, 2020.

Laketran encourages all customers to sit apart to practice social distancing while on board buses.

Local Routes and Dial-a-Ride will continue to operate regular schedules.

Service Changes

Due to the abundance of telecommuting, beginning Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Park-n-Ride Routes 10-12 will operate on a modified schedule.

Route 13 will be suspended until the Governor lifts the Stay at Home order.  Laketran suggest Route 12 as an alternative. Only the below Park-n-Ride departures will operate:

Morning (AM) Departures

 Evening (PM) Departures

 *The 5:50 p.m. Route 10 will serve all Park-n-Ride lots in Lake County, as needed.

UPDATED: Friday, March 20, 2020 | 2:30 p.m.

Laketran COVID-19 Building Visitor Policy

In order to provide a safe working environment for our employees, beginning Friday, March 20, 2020, we are asking that any public visits to the Laketran Headquarters (555 Lakeshore Blvd.) be by appointment only.

Appointments may be made directly with the department you are visiting or by calling Customer Service at 440-354-6100.

We ask that the public adhere to this new visitor policy until further notice. Updates will be posted here on our website.

This policy applies to our administrative offices and does not affect our bus operations.

We appreciate your cooperation during this time.

UPDATED: Friday, March 13, 2020 | 8:00 a.m.

Laketran intends to remain operating, precautions against novel coronavirus

The News Herald | Friday, March 13, 2020

With justified health concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus, Laketran officials this week reached out to the Lake County General Health District in efforts keep abreast of additional information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding guidance and advice.

In a notice posted to the agency’s website, Laketran officials emphasized safety as its main priority, ensuring that the 2,500 daily customers and 229 employees remain protected from harm/illness.

“It is our standard protocol to wash and sanitize every bus daily and we will continue to do so,” the statement reads. “As an extra level of precaution, Laketran is spending more time wiping down high touchpoints on our buses with disinfectant each day. However, please remember, surfaces are only disinfected until someone touches or cough/sneezes on them….

“Antiseptic wipes have been ordered to equip our drivers to use as needed. Each year, we provide all employees access to free flu shots. While flu shots do not vaccinate against COVID-19, they do help our employees stay healthy, which keeps you healthy….”

Laketran also noted seats on 2017 and newer Dial-a-Ride buses are antibacterial and antimicrobial, which in general provides another line of defense against the spreading of germs.

Ben Capelle, CEO of Laketran, said the agency intends to remain open during the crisis.

“We are taking the threat of COVID-19 very seriously and are closely monitoring the situation in Northeast Ohio,” he added. “We will be taking directives from state and local officials, and may have to adjust how we provide service depending on their recommendations.

“We have already planned how we will prioritize service if we need to and we will continue to be there to take people to medical appointments.”

In addition to standard public transportation services, Laketran, as a member of Lake County’s Emergency Management Agency, also assists first responders in emergency management situations and moving people in a crisis.

UPDATED: Monday, March 9, 2020 | 12:45 p.m.

There is a lot of concern surrounding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its potential impact. We have been in contact with the Lake County General Health District and are staying on top of information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for advice and guidance.

At Laketran, our first priority is to keep our 2,500 daily customers and 229 employees safe. It is our standard protocol to wash and sanitize every bus daily and we will continue to do so. As an extra level of precaution, Laketran is spending more time wiping down high touchpoints on our buses with disinfectant each day. However, please remember surfaces are only disinfected until someone touches or cough/sneezes on them.

Antiseptic wipes have been ordered to equip our drivers to use as needed. Each year, we provide all employees access to free flu shots. While flu shots do not vaccinate against coronavirus, they do help our employees stay healthy, which keeps you healthy.

While there are currently no reported cases of the coronavirus in Ohio, there are still proactive steps we can all take reduce the spread of germs onboard our buses and in the community. Laketran encourages you to follow the recommendations of the CDC:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations to wear a face covering or mask when in public.