The board of the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) approved a three-year contract extension for CEO Laura Koprowski, who has helped lead TARTA into a new era of system improvement, service expansion, and investment in the workforce.

Koprowski came to TARTA in April of 2020 and served in other executive leadership roles before being named CEO in October of 2021. The three-year agreement is retroactive to October and contains an option for the TARTA board to extend the contract an additional two years through October 2027.

“As a believer in the power of public transportation and the positive impact it can have on the lives of the people who depend on it, it is an honor to serve in this role,” Koprowski said. “TARTA is fortunate to have an active board of trustees full of public servants who recognize the value of a strong transit system. I am delighted to continue working with them to serve all of Lucas County and Rossford.”

Koprowski has more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry and served as the executive director of the Ohio Public Transit Association before joining TARTA. Her tenure has been marked by progress toward rebuilding the agency into an effective and financially stable transit system capable of serving all of Lucas County and Rossford.

Koprowski’s time at the helm has been one of the most active and productive periods in TARTA’s history, highlighted by:

• The passing of Issue 12 at the ballot box and the resulting changes to TARTA’s funding structure.

• The approval of the TARTA Next system redesign project and plans to cover all of Lucas County, expanding options for fixed-route and TARPS users.

• A new microtransit program, set to hit the road in the first quarter of 2023, greatly expanding the number of residents for whom public transportation is a viable option.

• Investment in workforce with new contracts for both unions representing TARTA personnel.