In November 2018, Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (GDRTA) launched The Flyer, a free, downtown shuttle bus service which runs in a continuous loop that stretches from Monument Avenue by RiverScape MetroPark to Irvin Avenue by the University of Dayton. Shuttles arrive at each stop along the loop every 10 minutes or less, with stops at major employment centers, entertainment and dining destinations, amenities, and hot spots.
The public response to the new circulator service surprised everyone, including officials at GDRTA. The Flyer service began with three buses, but within three months of the launch, the transit agency decided to add a fourth bus to help meet growing demand. By late 2019, two more buses were added, as well as more stops along the route, with a total of 37 stops today. With initial daily ridership totaling just over 5,000 riders – by the summer of 2019 ridership had rose to nearly 45,000 a day.
Dayton Flyer Service Route
The overwhelming popularity and success of The Flyer lead GDRTA to seek funding from the Department of Transportation’s historic investment in transit to support not only the addition of a seventh bus to the downtown circulator, but to help maintain the popular program to ensure space is available for the riders who have come to rely on the service and to avoid overload situations and support major downtown events such as Dayton’s Independence Day Fireworks Festival and during the holidays (two “Festive Flyer” buses were outfitted with on board carolers and Santa Claus). as they arise.
GDRTA officials have noted that the route is now an integral part of the downtown redevelopment efforts and was a factor in the University of Dayton’s decision to lease space in the $100 million development of the historic Downtown Arcade. Having a fast, convenient, safe, and free way to travel between campus and downtown was must have for the success of this project – a key aspect of the revival of historic downtown Dayton.
The Flyer is a great example of way the state’s historic investment in public transit is innovating service delivery and changing people’s attitudes about public transit. The success of programs like The Flyer, Columbus’ CBUS program, and other circulator services, show riders unfamiliar with public transit, that is a safe, efficient, and reliable alternative to commuting and a great way to connect workers to jobs and the public to recreation and entertainment.