“We were not expecting the service to be as popular in the winter months as it has been,” said Jessica Olson, communications manager with the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, which operates the Flyer.
MORE: Downtown Dayton will get free shuttles
The free circulator bus launched on Nov. 9.
The shuttles run on a continuous loop that stretches from Monument Avenue by RiverScape MetroPark to Irvin Avenue by the University of Dayton.
The shuttles show up every 10 minutes or less. The shuttle stops at major employment centers, entertainment and dining destinations, amenities and hot spots.
One of the busiest times is during lunch hours when downtown workers, UD students and residents hop on the buses for a quick trip to the Oregon District, Brown Street or the Central Business District.
The Flyer originally had three buses in rotation on the route at any given time. Olson said the RTA has added a fourth bus because of the high volumes of riders and increased traffic on Brown Street.
The Flyer now has 37 stops, including two new ones. One is by the Schuster Center, across from Premier Health’s downtown headquarters at 110 N. Main St. The other is at the pavilion at RiverScape MetroPark.
MORE: Map: Where will Dayton’s free downtown shuttle service run?
Greater Dayton RTA is covering about 70 percent of the costs of operating the Flyer shuttles.
CareSource and Premier Health, two major downtown employers, are sponsors of the Flyer. Their employees use the shuttles so they can park blocks away from work.
CareSource is building a new, six-story office tower at North St. Clair and East First Street.
About the Author
