Report on the Launch of WayGo Community Transit and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Strategic Advancement in Sustainable Transportation

On August 4, Wayne County will launch the Wooster Wayne Community Transit system, known as WayGo. This initiative represents a significant step in developing sustainable infrastructure and aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By replacing a costly and inefficient taxi pass and bus loop program, WayGo establishes a formal public transit system designed to be scalable, efficient, and equitable, directly addressing SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by providing residents with access to a safe, affordable, and sustainable transport system.

System Framework and Contribution to Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 9)

The establishment of WayGo is a foundational investment in resilient and inclusive infrastructure, a core target of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The system leverages modern technology and strategic resource allocation to build a sustainable transit network for the community.

Funding and Asset Management

The system’s financial model demonstrates a strong partnership for the goals (SDG 17), combining federal, state, and local funding.

• Federal Support: Primary funding is sourced from the Federal 5311 Rural Public Transit Program.
• State and Local Match: State and local dollars provide matching funds, ensuring community investment.
• Infrastructure Acquisition: Through Federal Transit Administration and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) programs, nine ADA-accessible vehicles were acquired for under $1,500, demonstrating efficient use of public funds.
• Sustainable Repurposing: The WayGo Transit Operations Center is housed in a repurposed former temporary fire station, minimizing new construction and promoting sustainable use of existing city assets.

Operational Details

The system is designed for modern accessibility and efficiency, utilizing a central dispatch system, a smartphone application, and a dedicated call-in number. Riders can schedule trips up to two weeks in advance, facilitating reliable planning for work, healthcare, and other essential travel.

Advancing Social Equity and Economic Opportunity through Transit

WayGo is strategically designed to address systemic inequalities and promote well-being, directly contributing to several key SDGs.

Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10) and Alleviating Poverty (SDG 1)

A primary objective of WayGo is to enhance mobility for vulnerable populations, thereby reducing inequalities.

• Inclusive Access: The entire fleet is ADA-accessible, ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to transportation.
• Affordable Fares: Reduced fares are available for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The $1 fixed-route fare provides an affordable option for all, mitigating transportation costs that can be a barrier to escaping poverty.
• Targeted Support: WayGo is actively collaborating with organizations like Homeward Bound and Community Action Wayne/Medina to address the transportation needs of residents in transitional housing.

Promoting Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

The system will improve access to essential health services. By providing reliable transportation to medical appointments, WayGo helps ensure residents can receive consistent care. Potential partnerships with Medicaid-funded transport programs will further integrate the system into the community’s healthcare infrastructure.

Fostering Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

By connecting residents to employment centers, WayGo removes a significant barrier to obtaining and retaining decent work. The ability to schedule recurring trips for work commutes provides the reliability necessary for stable employment, fostering economic growth for individuals and the community.

Service Model and Accessibility

Service Hours

• Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Fare Structure

1. Fixed Route Service:
   • $1 for the general public
2. Flexible Route Service (One-Way):
   • With 24-hour notice: $6 for the general public and $3 for registered elderly and disabled riders.
   • With less than 24-hour notice: $10 for the general public and $5 for registered elderly and disabled riders.

How to Access WayGo

• Phone: Call the WayGo dispatch center at 330-263-5255 to book rides or register for reduced fares.
• App: A dedicated WayGo smartphone app will be available for scheduling and managing rides.
• Online: A website will be launched for ride requests and information.

Future Development and Strategic Vision

Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The launch of WayGo is the result of a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving the City of Wooster, ODOT, and consultants from Toole Design Group. This partnership was essential for navigating federal regulations and developing a comprehensive Transit Development Plan.

Long-Term Vision for a Sustainable Community (SDG 11)

While the initial phase focuses on Wooster and its immediate vicinity, the long-term vision is to expand service throughout Wayne County. This strategic expansion aims to create an integrated regional transit network, connecting residents in towns like Rittman and Orrville to opportunities across the county. This forward-looking plan seeks to build a truly sustainable and interconnected community where transportation is a bridge to opportunity for all residents, not a barrier.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article connects to this goal by highlighting how the new transit system, WayGo, aims to improve access to employment. By providing affordable transportation, it helps individuals, particularly those with limited income, access economic opportunities, which is a key step in poverty reduction.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The transit system directly addresses this goal by facilitating access to healthcare. The article explicitly mentions that WayGo will provide rides to health appointments and may partner with Medicaid-funded medical transport programs, ensuring residents can reach necessary medical care.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  This is a central theme of the article. WayGo is designed to serve vulnerable and underserved populations, including the elderly, people with disabilities, those with low income, and individuals in transitional housing. The provision of reduced fares and ADA-accessible vehicles directly targets the reduction of inequalities in access to community resources.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article is fundamentally about achieving this goal. It describes the creation of a “true public transit system” to make the community more sustainable and inclusive. The launch of WayGo provides an affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport option for residents, directly aligning with the goal of improving urban infrastructure and services.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article demonstrates this goal in action by detailing the collaborative effort required to launch WayGo. It mentions funding and support from federal (Federal Transit Administration), state (Ohio Department of Transportation), and local government entities, as well as partnerships with non-profits like Homeward Bound and Community Action Wayne/Medina.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.4: Access to basic services and economic resources

  The article supports this target by describing how WayGo will “connect people not just to transportation, but to opportunity whether that’s employment, medical care or community support.” This transportation system is presented as a basic service that enables access to economic resources (jobs).

• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services

  This target is identified through the article’s mention of WayGo providing “rides to health appointments” and enabling “recurring trips, such as weekly medical appointments.” This directly contributes to ensuring people can access essential healthcare services.

• Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

  The article clearly identifies this target by stating the transit system aims to expand access “especially for those with limited options due to age, disability, income or housing instability.” The provision of reduced fares for the elderly and disabled is a specific policy to promote their inclusion.

• Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all

  This is the most direct target addressed. The entire article is about the launch of WayGo, a new public transit system. It is described as affordable (fares from $1), accessible (nine ADA-accessible vehicles, app/phone booking), and aimed at serving all, with “special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations.”

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

  This target is evident in the description of WayGo’s creation. The article notes it was “Funded through the federal 5311 Rural Public Transit Program and matched with state and local dollars” and involved “a collaboration with ODOT and consultants.” Furthermore, it mentions working with civil society organizations like “Homeward Bound and Community Action Wayne/Medina.”

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport

  The article provides several metrics that can be used to measure this:

  1. Geographic Coverage: The service initially covers “Wooster residents and those within a one-mile radius outside city limits,” with a long-term vision for “coverage throughout Wayne County.” Progress can be measured by the expansion of this service area.
  2. Service Availability: The specific operating hours are mentioned (“7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday” and “10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday”), which serves as a baseline for service convenience.
  3. Affordability: The fare structure is detailed (“$1 general public” for fixed routes, with various fees for flexible service), allowing for an assessment of affordability.
  4. Accessibility for Vulnerable Groups: The article states there are “nine ADA-accessible vehicles” and a reduced fare program for “eligible seniors and people with disabilities,” which are direct measures of accessibility for these groups.

• Implied Indicators for Health, Poverty, and Inequality Reduction

  While not official SDG indicators, the article implies several ways to measure the project’s impact:

  1. Number of Users: Tracking the number of riders, particularly those registered for reduced fares (elderly and disabled), would indicate success in reaching target populations (Target 10.2).
  2. Trip Purpose Data: The ability to book “recurring trips, such as weekly medical appointments or work commutes” implies that data could be collected on the purpose of rides, measuring the system’s contribution to accessing healthcare (Target 3.8) and employment (Target 1.4).
  3. Number of Partnerships: The number of formal partnerships with healthcare providers (e.g., “Medicaid-funded medical transport programs”) and social service agencies would be a clear indicator of integrated service delivery (Target 17.17).

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: the-daily-record.com