RTA Cancels Planned Service Adjustment and Route Elimination

(DAYTON, OHIO) … The Greater Dayton RTA recently announced some changes to help it weather the CDL driver shortage that is not only impacting RTA, but most transportation providers. This change included the elimination of Route 14 north, as a large portion of that route along with most of the ridership could be served by Route 8. After meeting with officials from the city of Trotwood, which included a tour of several development projects both underway and planned, RTA has decided to hold off on service changes to allow time to evaluate new data and information shared by Trotwood city officials. RTA will be cancelling the previously announced changes, which were scheduled to start on October 16.

“While it is a simple fact that RTA is operating under a very challenging shortage of CDL bus drivers, it is also clear that we have been provided with new information that leads us to take a step back and study this information and the potential impact on important community development projects in the Trotwood area,” RTA CEO Robert Ruzinsky said. “RTA will continue efforts to hire and train CDL drivers and study ways to provide needed public transit services using small vehicles that do not require a commercial driver license.”

While RTA works through the CDL driver shortage, the agency will continue the use of voluntary and mandatory overtime. RTA will also deploy administrative and management staff with CDLs to drive buses when necessary to assist with the CDL bus driver shortage situation.

No changes will be made to RTA services at this time, with all current RTA routes and Connect-on-Demand zones continuing to operate as they do today.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jessica Olson, (937) 425-8352, Director of Communications and Training