Stark Area Regional Transit Authority

What Stark Area Regional Transit Authority does

Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) is a public, government-state transit authority established in 1997 and headquartered at 1600 Gateway Blvd SE, Canton, Ohio, providing countywide public transportation across Stark County through 24 fixed routes, ADA paratransit (Proline), expanded paratransit coverage (Proline PLUS, launched February 2025), and a new Door-to-Door (D2D) pilot for Canal Fulton (February 2026). The route network serves Alliance, Akron, Canton, Jackson Township, Louisville, Massillon, and North Canton, with the Route 81 Canton-Akron Express providing interoperable transfers to Akron METRO for continuation to Cleveland. Annual ridership totals approximately 1.4 million, supporting an average of 5,000 work rides daily across general commuters, seniors (65+), people with disabilities, students, veterans, and low-income SNAP recipients.

The agency operates a multi-fuel fleet anchored by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses (Ohio's first hydrogen fueling station was built by SARTA in 2016), compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, and diesel-electric hybrid buses, supported by a public CNG fueling station recognized as the 2025 Best Station in the 44707 area code. SARTA's digital stack includes PinPoint (AvailTec MyStop GPS-based real-time tracking), EZfare (Masabi/Justride mobile ticketing integrated across 14 transit systems in Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky and distributed via Uber, Moovit, and Transit apps), GoLine (online Proline reservations), and the SARTA Buzz alert system, with the SCORE Card tap-and-pay smart card available at ticket vending machines across four transit centers (Belden Village, Canton Cornerstone, Massillon, Phyllis Beyers Alliance). The agency is ADA- and Title VI-compliant and provides free travel training, having onboarded 14,000+ riders since 2010.

SARTA is funded primarily by a 0.25% county sales tax (approximately $19.9M, 55.3% of operating funding) plus federal and state grants (approximately $14.4M, 40.2%), with passenger fares contributing approximately $1.4M (4.0%) and advertising roughly $161K (0.5%). Total operating expenses run approximately $35.8M annually. The agency is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees appointed by Stark County Commissioners and the Mayors of Canton, Massillon, and Alliance, with executive leadership including CEO Ralph Lee (appointed permanent June 2026), CFO Joe Wayne (since January 2025), and COO Mark Finnicum. The board has unanimously approved placing a sales tax increase to 0.35% on the May 5 ballot, the first such increase in more than 28 years. SARTA's recent strategic moves include new transit-center construction (2024), Proline restructuring, the D2D pilot, and a 2022–2026 leadership refresh.

Name

Stark Area Regional Transit Authority

Legal name

Stark Area Regional Transit Authority

Website

https://sartaonline.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SARTA is a public transit authority serving Stark County, Ohio through 24 fixed bus routes, ADA paratransit (Proline, Proline PLUS), and demand-response (D2D) services. It carries approximately 1.4 million annual riders using a hydrogen, CNG, and hybrid fleet, funded primarily by a county sales tax and federal/state grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transit Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Special Needs Transportation (485991), Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (48521)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Transit Agencies (Bus, Rail, Metro, Paratransit) (BPAIALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Transit Bus Operator Authorities & Agencies (Planning/Fare/Admin) (TLAFAGAL), ADA/Accessible Paratransit (Complementary to Fixed-Route Transit) (THAIAHAA), Public Transit MaaS Integration Platforms (GTFS/RT, APIs, Real-Time Ops Feeds) (THADALAE)

Keywords

• Public transit services
• Fixed route bus service
• Paratransit services
• ADA accessible transit
• Mobility services

Headquarters

HQ city

Canton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Sales Tax Revenue: SARTA is funded by a 0.25% sales tax (seeking increase to 0.35% effective July 1). This generates approximately $19.9 million annually, covering about 55% of operating expenses.
2. Federal and State Grants: Federal and state grant funding provides approximately $14.4 million annually, representing about 40% of operating expenses. Includes FTA grants, Ohio EPA grants, and 5310 grants for enhanced mobility.
3. Bus Fares: Passenger fares generate approximately $1.4 million annually (about 4% of operating expenses). Fares include single rides, passes, and reduced fares for seniors, disabled, and students.
4. Advertising Revenue: Advertising on SARTA buses and transit center digital screens generates approximately $161,000 annually (0.5% of revenue).
5. Transit Advertising: Bus advertising (interior and exterior) and digital screen advertising at transit centers sold through Mesmerize advertising partnership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) operates public bus transportation across Stark County, Ohio, providing 24 fixed routes connecting cities of Canton, Massillon, Alliance, Akron, and surrounding townships. The authority supplements fixed route service with ADA paratransit (Proline), extended paratransit (Proline PLUS), and a door-to-door pilot, complemented by digital tools for mobile ticketing, real-time tracking, and paratransit reservations. SARTA also operates a mixed fleet of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses, CNG buses, and hybrid-electric vehicles, and provides a public CNG fueling station.

Product overview

SARTA provides public transit services across Stark County, Ohio through a multi-modal portfolio. The core service is Fixed Route bus transportation (24 routes), supplemented by demand-response paratransit services (Proline ADA Paratransit for disabled riders within 3/4-mile of fixed routes, Proline PLUS for trips beyond that zone, and the D2D Pilot for Canal Fulton). Digital tools include GoLine for paratransit trip scheduling, EZfare for mobile ticketing (also integrated into Uber, Moovit, and Transit apps), PinPoint for real-time GPS tracking, and SARTA Buzz for service alerts. Fare payment options include the SCORE Card smart card and Ticket Vending Machines at four Transit Centers. Free Travel Training educates riders on using all services. The fleet operates on multiple fuels including CNG, hydrogen fuel cell, and hybrid-electric, with a 2027 Climate Action Plan for near-zero emissions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EZfare: Free mobile ticketing app for purchasing and activating transit tickets and passes for SARTA services
• GoLine
• PinPoint
• SARTA Buzz
• Proline
• Proline PLUS
• D2D
• SCORE Card

Products and services

• Fixed Route Bus Service
• Proline ADA Paratransit
• Proline PLUS
• D2D (Door-to-Door) Pilot Service
• EZfare Mobile Ticketing
• Transit Centers
• Canton-Akron Express (Route 81)
• Travel Training

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.4 million annual riders served representing diverse demographics including seniors, people with disabilities, students, veterans, and commuters
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Forever R ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025Akron-based nonprofit expanding its mobile shower bus program to Canton in 2026. Program provides free showers, clean clothes, haircuts, and services to unhoused individuals. SARTA provides transportation support.
• Akron-Canton Regional FoodbankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2025Annual 'Stuff the Bus' food donation events where SARTA buses visit local businesses to collect food. In 2026, collected enough food for nearly 25,000 meals. Two SARTA buses participate, with staff support from businesses and schools.
• Akron METROcoreTechnology or IntegrationInteroperable transit connection via Route 81 Canton-Akron Express. Riders transfer to Akron METRO Route 61 to reach Cleveland. SARTA and METRO honor transfers from each other with one free ride on connecting system.
• Stark County District LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARTA became a BikeSmart hub for the Stark County District Library in 2017, enabling cyclists to use library services and transit together.
• Wayne County ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARTA began offering by-appointment transportation services to Wayne County starting October 2021, expanding service area beyond Stark County.
• Kent State University StarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partnership enabling student transportation. SARTA participates in back-to-school outreach and provides campus connectivity.
• Stark State CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents ride free with Stark State ID. Partnership includes campus transit center and travel training for students. Featured in SARTA fare marketing materials.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital ClevelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans ride free to Cleveland VA Hospital via Route 4 (added March 2013), enabling medical appointment access for veterans in Stark County.
• MesmerizecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransit advertising sales manager Rick Dabrowski handles SARTA bus advertising (interior/exterior) and digital screen sales. Mesmerize manages media kit and ad placement.
• Innis MaggiorecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading positioning advertising agency managing SARTA campaigns. Earned 10 Service Industry Advertising Awards for SARTA work and Bronze Telly Award for creative campaigns.
• Masabi/JustridecoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Justride mobile ticketing SDK powering EZfare platform. Enables QR code validation and integration with Uber, Moovit, and Transit apps.
• Midwest Zero-Emission Bus Working GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARTA participates in regional collaboration on zero-emission bus adoption, with COO Mark Finnicum on the working group.
• Stark County CommissionerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppointing authority for SARTA Board of Trustees (9 members). Board includes representatives from Stark County Commissioners, Mayors of Canton/Massillon/Alliance, and SCOG.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo): Indianapolis public transit agency with electric bus deployment and Red Line BRT. Comparable fixed-route, paratransit, and zero-emission fleet strategy in a mid-sized U.S. metropolitan area.
• Laketran: Lake County Ohio transit agency offering fixed-route bus and paratransit services. Similar mid-sized Ohio county transit authority model with sales-tax funding and ADA paratransit.
• METRO RTA (Akron): Summit County regional transit authority serving Akron. Direct operational partner via SARTA's Route 81 Canton-Akron Express; comparable service portfolio including fixed-route bus, paratransit, and mobility programs.
• Transit Authority of River City (TARC): Louisville, KY regional transit authority offering fixed-route bus service and paratransit. Comparable mid-sized transit authority operating in a similarly-sized regional market.
• Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA): Albany, NY regional transit authority operating fixed-route bus and paratransit. Comparable mid-sized authority with similar customer segments including university ridership.
• Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA): Ohio's largest transit authority serving the Columbus region. Comparable governance structure (county-level authority with sales tax funding), fixed-route and paratransit services, and zero-emission fleet initiatives.
• Portage Area Regional Transit Authority (PARTA): Ohio regional transit authority serving Kent and Portage counties. Most directly comparable peer given similar size, regional Ohio footprint, fixed-route and demand-response services, and overlapping student ridership with Kent State University.
• Greater Cleveland RTA (GCRTA): Northeast Ohio transit authority serving Cleveland and surrounding counties. Direct connection point for SARTA riders via Akron METRO Route 61; comparable regional bus and paratransit operations in Ohio.
• Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK): Northern Kentucky regional transit authority operating fixed-route bus service and paratransit. Comparable mid-sized authority model with similar revenue mix and service area characteristics.

Others

• Masabi: Provider of the Justride mobile ticketing SDK that powers SARTA's EZfare platform. Technology partner and adjacent ecosystem participant enabling interoperable fare payment across multiple transit systems.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SARTAonline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/RideSARTA
• Facebookfacebook.com/SARTAonline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sarta
• Instagraminstagram.com/sartaonline

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stark Area Regional Transit Authority