CRAWFORD/MARION/RICHLAND COUNTY, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The Ohio Department of Transportation is embarking on a new regional initiative to streamline transportation planning across eight counties in north-central Ohio, aiming to improve access to vital services and connect communities.

The effort, known as the Region 5 Coordinated Plan, seeks to address a longstanding issue in Ohio: the lack of statewide coordinated transportation planning coverage. While most of Ohio’s 88 counties have some form of public transportation, gaps exist, and limited federal Specialized Transportation Program 5310 funding has made the application process increasingly competitive.

The Region 5 plan is a Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan encompassing Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland and Seneca counties. These counties were selected by ODOT based on existing boundaries of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs), Department of Medicaid, Department of Health and Area Agencies on Aging.

While each county will retain its local Coordinated Plan, this regional pilot will enable counties to collaborate on transportation services and facilitate connections across county lines. The goal is to better serve residents by providing access to out-of-county destinations for jobs, education, healthcare and human services, allowing older adults and people with disabilities to live independently and engage in community life.

The planning process for the Region 5 Coordinated Transportation Plan began in January 2025 and is slated for completion between fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Martin will work closely with Mobility Managers in the region to gather necessary information.

The purpose of the plan is for local stakeholders to collaboratively:

  • Identify available regional resources for transportation.
  • Establish regional transportation challenges and needs.
  • Create a regional plan for achieving shared goals.

The Richland County Regional Planning Commission (RCRPC) emphasized its commitment to working with Region 5 Mobility Managers to remove transportation barriers for all residents, underscoring that transportation is a critical component to quality of life.

A public comment period for the Draft 2026-2030 Region 5 Coordinated Transportation Plan is currently underway and will remain open from June 23, 2025, to July 23, 2025.

Region 5 Mobility Managers include Jim Oliver, Mindy Birkholz and Courtney Curtis, serving Crawford, Huron, Marion, Morrow and Seneca counties (1-800-775-9767); Joe Porter for Knox County (740-485-5002); and Randy Hutchinson for Richland County (567-247-6483). Lyndsie Martin, the Regional Mobility Planner, can be reached at 419-774-6203.

Region 5 Coordinated Transportation Plan.pdf

To view the plan and leave your comments, please visit: rcrpc.org/regional-plan