Connection Established: Lake County's New Laketran Route Reaches University Circle, Complimentary Rides Initiated
Laketran Expands Park-n-Ride Service to University Circle
Laketran, the public transit authority serving Lake County, has expanded its Park-n-Ride commuter service to University Circle, a major employment hub in Cleveland. The new Route 13, which begins on August 4, 2025, aims to connect Lake County residents to the area's substantial jobs and cultural sites.
University Circle is home to nearly 70,000 jobs in healthcare, higher education, and cultural institutions [1][2][3]. This expansion was made cost-neutral for Laketran by reallocating resources from underutilized downtown Cleveland routes, requiring no additional funding. The fare for Park-n-Ride service is $3.75 one way, with reduced fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, students, and veterans; the service is fare-free during August 2025 to promote ridership on the new route.
The new Route 13 offers weekday service with four daily departures from Painesville Township, Mentor, and Wickliffe. It broadens commuter access to University Circle’s employment opportunities and cultural destinations, supporting workforce needs, especially for essential workers like healthcare employees whose commuting patterns remain steady post-COVID.
University Circle Inc. President Kate Borders is thrilled to partner with Laketran to bring more transportation options to University Circle. She highlights the benefits for employee attraction and visitor accessibility. Downtown Cleveland will continue to be served by Park-n-Ride Routes 10, 11, and 12.
Laketran consolidated a few runs from Park-n-Ride Routes 10 and 12 to downtown Cleveland. The new route will provide Lake County residents with easier access to jobs, education, healthcare, and cultural destinations in Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood.
The expansion supports Laketran's long-term goal of diversifying destinations and increasing ridership across the system. A study by the International Downtown Association found that healthcare jobs in University Circle have increased by 37% since 2012 [4]. This expansion is expected to attract and retain employees, making it easier for visitors to enjoy the area.
For more information about Route 13 and Park-n-Ride schedules, visit www.laketran.com. Standard fares for Laketran's Park-n-Ride routes will resume in September at $3.75 each way, with reduced rates of $1.50 for seniors, people with disabilities, students, and veterans. Laketran will offer free fares on all Park-n-Ride routes, including the new Route 13 and existing Routes 10-12, throughout August.
References:
[1] Laketran. (2025). University Circle Park-n-Ride Service Expansion. Retrieved from https://www.laketran.com/university-circle-park-n-ride-service-expansion/
[2] University Circle Inc. (2023). University Circle Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://universitycircle.org/about/fact-sheet/
[3] Cleveland State University. (2020). University Circle. Retrieved from https://www.csuohio.edu/about/university-circle
[4] International Downtown Association. (2020). University Circle Economic Impact Study. Retrieved from https://www.downtown.org/resources/research/university-circle-economic-impact-study
The new Route 13, inaugurated on August 4, 2025, aims to connect Lake County residents to the finance, healthcare, and cultural institutions in University Circle, a major employment hub in Cleveland. This expansion in public-transit transportation options seeks to attract and retain employees in University Circle, while also providing accessible transportation for visitors.
The expansion of Laketran's Park-n-Ride commuter service to University Circle not only supports workforce needs, especially for essential workers like healthcare employees, but also boosts the industry and economy of the area by making it easier for visitors to enjoy the cultural sites.
