WSU is connected to tons of public transportation in the Dayton area. Little is explained about this to students, but it is in fact one of the best ways to travel if you do not have a car or are trying to find an alternative, safe and cheaper way to travel.
WSU transportation options
Dayton can be a harder city to traverse if you do not have a car. It is a main city, made of several connecting highways and byways. Not to mention all of the suburbs and smaller towns in the Dayton region. For someone who does not have a car, it may be a daunting task to figure out how to get around to shop.
Fortunately, WSU is the hub for several different bus-like services. The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, or RCA, Greene County CATS bus, Rideshares and more are advertised to the public and are designed to help people, especially students get where they need to be.
Dayton RTA
One of the major players in WSU’s access to public transportation is the Dayton RTA. Officially formed in 1972, RTA has been serving citizens of the Greater Dayton area for over 50 years. There is a RTA bus stop located just outside of the Student Union.
The bus stop takes passengers into the heart of Dayton for all of their needs. These buses are perfect for the everyday student to travel, and even include ADA accommodations and bike racks.
Phillip Arter Jr. is an undecided major at WS who has used Dayton RTA.
“I have a car, and I use the bus to go everywhere,” Arter said, “I pay to ride through the app, it’s actually really simple to figure out and it even tracks the buses and gives you arrival times for your next bus.”
To use the RTA bus system, one can purchase a bus pass online at the RTA website or on the Transit app. Fares are only $2.20, with a cap of $4.50 a day. This means that this is also a cheap option to use.
But, with WSU being located in Greene County, this is not the only option for students to take.
Greene CATS
Another option for students who may have places that they need to go is the Greene County CATS Public Transit. This is a special system that is used to get around different places in Greene County.
There are two different types of bus systems that are available with Greene CATS. The first is a simple bus system that has two lines and can take you around Xenia, Yellow Springs, Fairborn and more. Fares are $2.00, unless you qualify for reduced fare. The other type of system allows passengers to schedule rides to specific places.
To do this, all that passengers need to do is either call Greene CATS to schedule a ride or fill out the form online. This is a great option for students who do not have a need to go into Downtown Dayton.
Christina Kaulper is a Xenia resident who uses this bus system.
“I use the bus to go everywhere. At my age, it is important to get out of the house, taking the bus helps me with that," Kaulper said.
More information can be found on the CATS website.
On-campus option
There is also an on-campus option for students who are just looking for a quick way to get around campus.
The Raider Ride Free Campus Transportation is designed to help students get to class and appointments safely and on time. It is entirely free for WSU Students and makes several stops around campus, including the Nutter Center and the WSU Physicians building.
A full list of stops and times are available on the WSU Transportation website.
Is it safe?
The bus system can be a safe, reliable source of transportation for those who need it. The Dayton RTA itself has a strict set of rules and guidelines for riding the bus with them.
“RTA has initiated a local public awareness campaign called: 'See Something, Say Something' to raise the awareness of transit safety with our customers to be aware of dangerous or inappropriate activities on the bus, in transit centers or at bus stops,” said the Dayton RTA in a statement. “The program's aim is to encourage the public to tell RTA officials about the activity they may have seen. Look for billboards and information cards on RTA buses and transit center."
Additionally, all RTA buses come equipped with cameras that monitor passenger behavior 24/7.
Passengers should be able to expect a safe ride when using Dayton's public transportation system.
