The SVRTA began operations on January 1, 1996 and is responsible for providing public transportation services to the City of Steubenville and the Village of Mingo Junction. They were preceded in operation by the Steel Valley Transit Corporation (SVTC) which operated the service from December 13, 1982 until December 31, 1995.

SVRTA leases facilities which are owned by the City of Steubenville. The facilities were funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and were constructed as a public transit facility. A new multi-modal center is now under construction and is expected to be completed in October 2002. The center, funded by federal and state discretionary funds, will create new opportunities for SVRTA and has the potential to expand rider ship within the providers service area. The new facility will be an add-on to the already existing structure. SVRTA currently operates 9 transit vehicles. These consist of six buses, 1 trolley and 2 lift equipped Para-transit vans. These vehicles are utilized to operate three (3) fixed routes as well as a demand response Para-transit service designed to meet the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Two (2) of fixed routes are operated exclusively within the city of Steubenville. The third route extends from the City of Steubenville to the Village of Mingo Junction.

The SVRTA is a relatively small organization. It employs a total of 12 full time employees and retains an attorney to provide the necessary legal council as needed and is directed by a Board of Directors which is comprised of professionals from both the City of Steubenville and the Village of Mingo Junction, Ohio. The members are appointed for a term of three years and the appointments are staggered in an attempt to provide for some continuity in the event that a board member is replaced or resigns prior to their term expiration.