Network Growth Scenarios

METRO's limited existing resources require us to make choices about what services we should provide. The Reimagined Network Stable Scenario shows how the network could look if redesigned to meet the overall goal from the Strategic Plan "focus[ing] METRO’s fixed route services on METRO’s highest ridership corridors, and on serving markets where (and for whom) transit is essential."

What if METRO had more resources to run bus service? To answer this question, we created two Network Growth Scenarios that show how the network could look with 5% and 10% more resources to run bus service than METRO has today. They build on the Reimagined Network, with new investments in frequent routes, added hours of service and additional service on the weekend.

+5% Growth Scenario

The +5% Growth Scenario includes the following improvements compared to the Reimagined Network Stable Scenario:

  • Route 10 is upgraded to 15-minute service along Main from Downtown Akron to Portage Trail, providing high-frequency service to North Hill and Cuyahoga Falls.

  • Routes 41 and 42 would run on Sundays.

  • Route X91 (service between Akron and Kent) would run longer into the evening on weekdays.

  • All routes would begin service at 7 a.m. on Sunday (compared to 9 a.m. with the Existing and Reimagined Networks).

+10% Growth Scenario

The +10% Growth Scenario includes all of the improvements from the +5% Scenario, as well as:

  • Route 3 along Copley and Hawkins would be upgraded to 15-minute service from Downtown Akron to Hawkins & Diagonal.

    Route 8 would be upgraded to 15-minute service from Downtown Akron to the METRO bus garage at Kenmore & Lake Shore Blvd, serving the Summit Lake neighborhood and Thornton St.

If METRO were able to implement everything in the +10% Growth Scenario,  it would offer a network of 15-minute bus lines radiating in all directions from Downtown Akron, enhanced weekend services, and a reliable weekday connection between Akron and Kent.

Scroll through the network maps in the slideshow below to see how each of the +5% and +10% Growth Scenarios add new frequent routes to the Stable Scenario.

Now we need to hear from you!

In the future, if METRO has additional resources to grow its services, do you think that these are the right services to provide? You can share your thoughts on the Network Growth Scenarios by taking our survey using the link at the top of the page, or clicking the link below, or continue on to learn about the potential impacts of Reimagine METRO on how people can use transit to get around Summit County.