Transit change leaves riders adjusting

NORWALK — For Summer Braddock, public transportation in Huron County was not a convenience. It was independence. "I mostly wanted to use it for the winter," Braddock said. "I have a son, and I don't really want to put him in danger driving me here for work." Braddock, an artist at Artists' Open Studio, said she used transit provider North Central Area Transit for roughly two months. "It was really nice," she said. "They would pick me up, bring me to work, then pick me back up and take me home." That routine ended abruptly when the transit agency earlier this month said it was going to discontinue Huron County service. "They called and said they're no longer going to be able to pick me up and that they're looking for a new provider," Braddock said. "I know they're working on that, but it does kind of suck." What happened? The transit agency, commonly known as NCAT, announced it will discontinue public transportation service in Huron County effective Jan. 17, 2026, citing declining local match funding and operational challenges. The decision ends countywide fixed-route and demand-response service used by hundreds of county residents for work, medical appointments and daily needs. Transit officials said the decision followed months of deliberation and was driven by reduced local financial contributions, which limited the agency's ability to fully utilize available federal transit dollars, despite increased public ridership. Board members also cited security concerns at their facilities in a county owned building, which they said was accessed by county employees without permission. The service was utilized by many with transportation challenges, including those with disabilities. Clients of the county Job and Family Services and Board of Developmental Disabilities offices were among NCAT's ridership. More than a ride Riders who relied on the service say the loss of service is already affecting how they plan work and appointments. Several described the service as providing independence that is difficult to replace, particularly for people who require accessible transportation. Braddock said she is not alone. While she can access a ride if she absolutely needs one, she said many others cannot. "A lot of the other artists, people with disabilities who come here or need to go other places, they may not have anyone to take them to doctor's appointments or other important things," she said. What disappears with NCAT's withdrawal from Huron County, riders say, is not just a bus, it's autonomy. Braddock said accessible transit is "extremely important." "A lot of people think that just because you're disabled, especially if you're in a wheelchair, that you don't work, or that you don't get out," she said. "But we're just like everyone else. I have a job. I love going out. I love shopping, especially around this time of year." For riders who used the provider, the service meant reaching medical appointments, getting to work, and participating in daily life without asking for favors. "The transit system allows us to travel, to get to doctor's appointments, meetings, or work independently, without having to burden a friend or family member to take us," Braddock said. That sense of not being a burden matters. "You don't want to just sit at home all the time," Braddock said. "People do feel like a burden asking. But you still have to work. You can't just say, 'Oh, I can't come because I don't have a ride.'" That reality extends beyond individual riders. 'A significant loss' In a statement delivered to the NCAT board on Dec. 17, Kari Smith, superintendent of the Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said the decision to withdraw service represents "a significant loss for our community." "For many individuals with developmental disabilities, older adults, and workers without reliable transportation, NCAT was not optional, it was essential," Smith said. "The loss of this service directly affects access to medical appointments, employment, groceries, and the ability to participate in the community." Smith said the service was widely used. "This was not a lightly used service," she said. "NCAT provided hundreds of rides each month in Huron County. Those trips did not disappear with this decision, only the transportation that made them possible did." What's next? Smith also raised concerns about the lack of a transition plan. "We are disappointed that this decision was made without a viable transition plan in place for riders who rely on this service daily," she said. "The absence of an interim or replacement solution creates a transportation gap that is serious, inequitable and disruptive." She urged continued cooperation. "Even short-term collaboration, technical assistance or coordination with other providers would make a meaningful difference," Smith said. County data reflects ongoing transportation needs According to Lenora Minor, director of Huron County Job and Family Services, clients use transportation support for "medical appointments, employment, and work requirements, helping them stay connected, independent, and fully engaged in our community." In 2024, the agency spent a little over $94,600 supporting transportation needs and is on track to spend a similar amount this year to continue providing services, Minor said. For riders like Braddock, those numbers translate into daily life. "If you have a job, you have to go to work," she said. "If you have a doctor's appointment, you have to get there." Calls to the Huron County Commissioners for comment have gone unreturned as of Sunday. In addition to the requests for general information sent to the commission, additional specific calls were placed to Harry Brady, who sits on the NCAT board. Those calls have not been returned at press time.