WOOSTER, Ohio — The city of Wooster is working to establish a new countywide transit system.

After Wayne County Transit ended at the end of August, the city became a recipient of state and federal grants. He is taking the first steps to fill the void left by the WCT.

The first was to hire a new transportation coordinator. Local Kevin White was hired in September.

“We have a lot of demand to get people out and into town,” he said. “So having a reliable way to do that is kind of essential for everyone.”

White and the city have been collecting data on transit system usage, including where people are coming from and where they are heading. All of this data was passed to a consultant with the Ohio Department of Transportation, who will provide the city with a plan for a feasible transportation system. This information will also be useful when the city applies for grants.

Riders said a new transportation system couldn’t come soon enough.

Wayne County Transit will end August 31

RELATED: Wayne County Transit will end August 31, leaving some residents in the lurch

Swoosh Transportation is a local business feeling the loss of Wayne County Transit.

CEO Chad Tennet said his company selected riders for the WCT’s on-demand service. The contract ended with the transport service.

Tennet considered using his business to fill the void. However, lack of funding and government funding has prevented Swoosh from taking over.

From personal experience, Tennet said the new transportation system will need to find a way to make travel affordable while balancing the distance between cities.

“More scheduled pickups and returns to try to get the volume,” he said. “You know, trying to bring people who are going in similar directions at similar times to make it as effective as possible.”

The end of Wayne County Transit changes the daily life of rider Beth Ann Beatty. She is legally blind and moved to the city to use public transportation. Beatty said she just wants to see progress made on a future transportation system.

“I know it’s going to take time,” she said. “I would like to know that things are turning around and something is happening. We know what it is and we will be in place by a certain date.”

The city of Wooster said there is still a way to go before the new transit service begins. It all depends on if and when the city receives federal funding.