Laketran has been awarded the 2023 Safe Operation and Risk Award from the Ohio Transit Risk Pool in recognition of the transit authority’s “exceptional commitment to safety, operational-best practices, and collaborative efforts within Ohio’s public transit industry.” Officials noted that the annual award was evaluated based on a combination of safety metrics and loss costs per mile traveled, representing a significant achievement among Ohio’s transit systems. Ohio Transit Risk Pool President and CEO Barbara Rhoades recently presented the award to the Laketran Board of Trustees. “This achievement isn’t just about having low costs from claims — it reflects the dedication and proactive efforts of Laketran’s team,” she said. “Consistently low claims are never just a matter of luck.” The risk pool, based in Wadsworth, is a public-entity, specialized-management organization that has been providing property and casualty coverage to its public transit members across Ohio for over 30 years. With 15 members (statewide) operating nearly 50 million miles annually, OTRP evaluates members based on losses incurred and reserves per 100 miles traveled. Officials added that the SOAR Award is a yearly traveling award that is evaluated in three divisions and developed from losses incurred and reserves per 100 miles. Rhoades said Laktran “excelled in the areas, posting the lowest loss cost at $2.58 per 100 miles traveled,” which stands far below the pool’s average of $7.43. “Laketran’s strong showing is rooted in its rigorous safety practices and commitment to excellence, evident in its perfect score on OTRP’s recent Risk Management Self Inventory,” she added. Agency officials noted that drivers complete an extensive driver training program developed by OTRP, which, combined with “meticulous hiring practices and robust operational controls,” positions the company at the forefront of safety and operational efficiency within the pool. “Laketran is proud to be recognized with the 2023 SOAR Award,” said Laketran CEO Ben Capelle. “This is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our operations and maintenance departments, whose focus on safety is at the forefront of what we do. “It’s truly a team effort because it starts with training, but scheduling, dispatching, and maintenance of our vehicles all impacts (all) our daily safety.” With the recent recognition, Laketran has received the SOAR Award for Division I for the sixth time since 2009.