Region 7 Highlights
​The Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission initiated a project in January 2024 to consolidate all local Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plans from ten counties into one unified regional plan. The ten counties including Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton which are part of the Human Services Transportation Region 7 as designated by the Ohio Department of Transportation. The Transit Coordination Specialist at OVRDC took the lead by collaborating with a Region 7 Steering committee made up of Mobility Managers and transit/transportation representatives from the region. They ensured comprehensive input was gathered which helped shape the decisions and composition of the regional coordinated plan. The Steering Committee’s decisions were reviewed and approved by a Regional Transit Coordinated Council once a quarter. The members of the council consist of stakeholders from each county in Region 7. The OVRDC Regional Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan was completed and approved by ODOT in June 2025. The OVRDC Executive Committee approved the plan in August 2025 for publication.
OVRDC was also involved in a range of activities focused on improving transit services and understanding community transportation. This included contributing to public outreach, collecting valuable data through the transportation needs surveys, conducting individual rider assessments, and participating in local transportation meetings. The Transit Coordination Specialists’ role at OVRDC was vital in gathering feedback, assessing needs, and assuring that local transportation efforts were well-coordinated and aligned with community requirements.
As part of our broader initiatives, the Region 7 Steering Committee has been actively working on enhancing transportation coordination outside of the scope of the Regional Coordinated Transportation Plan. This includes:
CarFit
Mobility Managers of Region 7 enhanced transportation safety by hosting CarFit events in their counties, supporting senior driver safety and reducing transportation-related risks across the region. Five CarFit events were conducted within the region in 2025. In 2025, two new CarFit technician trainings were held, and the region gained its first One-on-One CarFit technician, expanding individualized vehicle safety support for older adults across the region.
Transit Agencies/Transportation Providers
Transit agencies play a vital role in connecting residents to essential services, including employment, healthcare, education, and community resources. They support independence for seniors and individuals with disabilities, strengthen local economies by improving access to jobs, and enhance overall quality of life—especially in rural areas where transportation options are limited.
- In 2025, Region 7 had three transit agencies operating full time: the Chillicothe Transit System serving Ross County; Community Action Transit System (CATS) serving Pike County; and FRS Transportation serving Adams, Brown, and Highland Counties.
- Region 7 expanded transit access with the addition of Gallia County Public Transit, which launched service in November 2025.
- Jackson County received approval for Section 5311 funding from ODOT in 2025 to purchase five vehicles and anticipates being operational by the end of July 2026.
- Region 7 has several transportation providers that supplement public transit services. These include privately owned, transportation operated through local Boards of Developmental Disabilities, Senior Citizens Transportation programs, and Veteran Transportation services located throughout the region.
Transportation guide https://www.ovrdc.org/media/Region-7-Transportation-Guidebook-FINALcompressed.pdf
Coordinated Plan https://www.ovrdc.org/media/OVRDC-Coordinated-Plan-final-edit.pdf