Fare hike: Greater Dayton RTA is raising prices for bus rides, daily and monthly passes

Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority is kicking off the new year with the first major change to its fare structure since 2018.

On Jan. 1, New Year’s Day, most fixed-route fares will increase by between 9% and 13%, and all paratransit and on-demand services will see price hikes.

Basic adult single-ride fares are increasing by 20 cents to $2.20, while daily passes will increase by 50 cents to $4.50 and monthly passes will go from $55 to $60.

Greater Dayton RTA also plans to raise fares on Jan. 1 of both 2026 and 2027.

Greater Dayton RTA CEO Bob Ruzinsky has said fares have not increased in a long time even though inflation and the cost of providing services have risen significantly.

He said the last change to RTA’s base fare structure was in 2018 when the agency lowered the price of a day pass by a dollar and raised the price of a single ride by a quarter.

“The last time RTA paratransit fares increased was in 2009, when a single ride fare went from $3 to $3.50,” he said. “RTA monthly passes have also been the same price since 2009.”

RTA’s paratransit program, which provides door-to-door service for people with disabilities, will charge $4 for a single ride (a 50-cent increase); $9 for a daily pass ($2 increase); and $32 for a monthly pass, which is unchanged.

RTA’s Connect On-Demand program, which offers door-to-door transportation for certain areas where fixed-route service is unavailable or limited, is going to start charging $3 for a single ride and the same amount for a no-show or late cancellation.

Until now, there was no charge for the on-demand services or for cancelling or not showing up for pick-up.

RTA also offers a reduced rate on fixed routes for customers with qualifying disabilities, or senior citizens age 65 and older, but proof of eligibility is required.