1972įrom 1969 to 1972, the cities of Akron, Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls underwrote METRO’s operational costs. Augmarked the restoration of Akron’s public transit service. Fortunately, area industry representatives and the City of Akron provided $50,000 and METRO acquired 50 used buses. What it did not have was money, buses, or headquarters. The newly created Akron Metropolitan Regional Transit Authority (METRO) successfully negotiated fresh contracts with bus operators and mechanics 122 days after the strike began. Without endings, there could never be beginnings. Its equipment and properties were sold at a public auction and Akron became the largest U.S. On April 1, 1969, when faced with a strike, the Akron Transportation Company closed its doors. 1953īetween 19, Akron said "hello" to diesel buses and "goodbye" to trackless trolley buses. ![]() Many passengers switched to personal transportation and transit ridership decreased by 10 percent or more each year. Weighing in at approximately 1,200 pounds was the competition, also known as the automobile. It was time for the transit industry to put on its game face. In the years following the war, the last streetcar operated and the electric trolley era came to an end. Akron’s street cars transported over 50 million passengers, setting a transit record. World War II, however, prevented further expansion of trolley bus service.ĭue to gasoline and tire rationing and ceased production of cars, ridership increased during wartime. In 1941, trackless trolley buses were introduced on the Grant Street line. A weekly pass was one dollar – see if you can find that at the dollar store these days! 1941 Fare increased to ten cents, or four tokens for a quarter. The new management changed the Mountain Line, which operated in Cuyahoga Falls, from street cars to buses in 1930.Īnother change to occur in the early thirties was the price. The management of Akron’s public transit was assumed by the Akron Transportation Company. The late 1920s signaled more than just the disappearance of the flapper look. The success of this purchase led them to also buy electric powered units. Ridership was continuously growing, giving them reason to purchase 40-passenger twin coaches in 1928. ![]() The Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company changed its name to the Northern Ohio Power and Light Company on April 17, 1926. The company then built its own foot-operated, treadled, rear-door bus in order to conquer the infamous hills of Akron. After the introduction of two six-wheel double-decker buses, buses were cut down to a single level after a trial period. In 1926, it was discovered bigger isn’t always better. A conductor and motorman operated each street car until 1925, when the cars were converted to a one-man operation. Street cars on fixed rails were the backbone of Akron’s transit system. Akron finally granted the transit system a one-cent transfer charge and the transit system was able to remain in business. The franchise license for the Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company had expired, resulting in the stoppage of transit services. ![]() This is when the transit service came to a screeching halt. The company requested a fare increase from five cents to seven cents. Two years later, the fleet included 125 street car trolleys and 25 buses. Bus routes were expanded and by the end of the year, the fleet grew to an impressive 25. They purchased Goodyear’s fleet of buses along with several Jitney operators in 1922. Remember the seed? The Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company knew just how to handle it. By 1921, we operated more than 15 routes in the Akron area. ![]() Actually, enter 213 Jitneys, which were gasoline-powered touring sedans. How could anyone miss it since it included Akron’s first double-decker bus? In 1910, Goodyear's own bus fleet could be seen on the streets. Not to be left behind, by streetcar or otherwise, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company started operations of its own. By 1901, it was operating more than 80 miles of tracks. Just one year later, the Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company began its operations. Though none were named “Desire” (that we know of), they were a great improvement! The maiden voyage from West Market Street to Portage Path and back took a mere fifteen minutes. All told, three twelve-passenger cars ran on light rails mounted to ties running over the muddy streets of Akron. These horse-drawn carts took travelers all the way from Howard and Market Streets to Case Avenue. Exchange a horse for a mule and a car for a cart and you have public transit in 1882.
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