Last year, the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) and Stark State College began a partnership to develop a program to enhance Stark State Students, Staff and Faculties ability to access Stark State’s main campus in North Canton. As a result of the partnership, SARTA and Stark State are providing express bus service from Akron to North Canton and students, staff and faculty can ride any of SARTA’s Fixed Routes for free!
Beginning with the Spring Semester, SARTA began operating express bus service, Route 88, from Akron METRO’s Transit Center to Stark State College’s main campus. From there, the bus provides service to SARTA’s Belden Village Transit Center before returning to Akron. The partnership provides for the Route 88 to operate during Stark State College’s Fall and Spring semesters only (no service during the summer), Monday through Thursday, several times each day. For the Route 88 Schedule, please visit SARTA’s website at www.SARTAonline.com and go to the schedules page.
The partnership also allows Students, Staff and Faculty to ride any of SARTA’s 34 fixed routes, for FREE all year long. They just need to show their current Stark State photo ID to the driver when boarding the bus. The free rides are not limited to when the Student, Staff or Faculty are going to the Stark State campus. They have endless access to: Parks, Libraries, Shopping Centers, Places of Employment, Medical Facilities, Banking Institutions, Restaurants, Movie Theaters, Downtown Cleveland, Akron-Canton Airport, Pro-Football Hall of Fame, Hartville Kitchen, Harry London Chocolates, McKinley Monument, First Ladies Library, Canton Classic Car Museum, Massillon Museum, YMCA’s and Recreation Centers, Glamorgan Castle, Downtown Canton Arts District, Stark County Veterans Services Commission, Stark County VA Clinic, and Government & Social Services offices.
“Stark State is a vital part of the educational system in Stark County. The direct access to Stark State’s main campus from downtown Akron and Belden Village transit centers will enhance the students commute,” stated Kirt Conrad, SARTA CEO, “Our partnership with Stark State enhances the lives of Stark, as well as Summit County, residents by providing direct access to education, jobs and much more.”
“Stark State College is pleased to collaborate with SARTA on offering free, direct bus service from downtown Akron to Stark State College’s main campus in North Canton to assist students. The free, express bus service is helpful to students who juggle work, school and family and will ease the burden on students’ wallets and schedules, particularly if they are taking classes at Stark State College Akron and on our main campus,” stated Dr. Para Jones, Stark State President.
SARTA offers Service to Stark State College
