Ohio Loves Transit Week Legislative Visits
Front Row (left to right): Kartina Murri (Pike County) and Deanna Bragg (Jackson & Vinton Counties)
Middle Row (left to right): Marlana Hopkins, OVRDC Transit Coordination Specialist and Nick Johnson (Adams & Brown Counties)
Back Row: Robin Payne (Gallia & Meigs Counties)
OVRDC Advocates for Rural Mobility During Ohio Loves Transit Week
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Transit Coordination Specialist Marlana Hopkins represented the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) at the Statehouse in Columbus as part of Ohio Loves Transit Week.
Hosted by the Ohio Public Transit Association (OPTA), Ohio Loves Transit Week brings together transit professionals, mobility managers, and advocates from across the state to highlight the essential role public transportation plays in connecting Ohioans to jobs, healthcare, education, and community services.
Hopkins was joined by regional Mobility Managers, including Katrina Murri (Pike County), Deanna Bragg (Jackson & Vinton Counties), Robin Payne (Gallia & Meigs Counties), and Nick Johnson (Adams & Brown Counties). Together, the group met with state legislators and staff to discuss the importance of continued investment in Ohio’s public transportation network, particularly in rural communities.
Conversations focused on the economic impact of transit, access to essential services, workforce mobility, and the need for sustainable funding to ensure reliable transportation options for residents of all ages and abilities. The delegation shared firsthand stories from southern Ohio that demonstrate how coordinated transportation services improve quality of life and strengthen local economies.
As OVRDC’s Transit Coordination Specialist, Hopkins works closely with regional transit providers and human service agencies to improve coordination and expand transportation access across southern Ohio. Her participation in Ohio Loves Transit Week reinforces OVRDC’s commitment to strengthening regional mobility and advocating for policies that support local communities.
“For the rural communities of the region, transit is not a convenience—it is a lifeline that reduces isolation, supports families, and keeps our counties moving forward together.”
-Marlana Hopkins
OVRDC Transit Coordination Specialist
Ohio Loves Transit Week, held February 16–20, 2026, serves as an opportunity for transit agencies and advocates to share stories, data, and firsthand experiences with lawmakers to demonstrate how public transportation supports economic development, workforce participation, and quality of life throughout Ohio.
For more information about OVRDC’s transportation initiatives, visit ovrdc.org.
