RTA announces next phase in the efforts to go cashless on all buses

For Immediate Release

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jessica Olson (937) 425-8352, Communications Manager

(DAYTON, OHIO) … The Greater Dayton RTA will discontinue the sale of Day Passes onboard all buses beginning July 1 as part of the next phase of its plan to move to a cashless on-board fare system.

The RTA launched its new fare payment system, Tapp Pay, in June 2020. Tapp Pay is available via smartphones through the free Transit app, as well as reloadable smartcards. It is an account value-based payment system, meaning customers have value deducted from their account versus utilizing a pass. More importantly, customers can hold onto their money longer with Tapp Pay, and benefit from never paying more than the daily and monthly max fare rate. Through a network of over 300 retail outlets located within close proximity of RTA bus routes, customers are able to convert their cash into Tapp Pay value. They may also use debit or credit cards to add funds to their account via the Transit app, payment kiosks, or website portal. The agency ceased selling paper passes used on the fare box in April 2021, including in its transit centers and retail outlet locations.

The last day the RTA will sell Day Passes onboard buses will be Wednesday, June 30. While the agency will stop selling Day Passes—which cost $4 per day—customers can get unlimited travel at a cheaper rate on Tapp Pay, as the system caps daily travel at $3 per day. Reloadable cards can be obtained at all RTA transit centers. There is no cost to receive one, but customers must load at least $3 to receive a card.

Also ending on June 30 is the agency’s COVID-19 vaccination credit. Those who provided proof of vaccination to RTA could receive a $30 credit on their Tapp Pay account- the equivalent of a month of free travel. Customers have until Wednesday to take advantage of this program.

The RTA will continue to promote COVID-19 vaccination through free rides to any customers heading to a vaccine appointment when the flash the “V sign,” or peace sign to any bus driver. In addition, customers can contact RTA at 937-425-8300 option #6, to make a door-to-door trip to and from vaccination locations within Montgomery County. RTA will also continue its partnership with Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County to provide mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Using a specially-outfitted RTA bus, Public Health will be providing walk-in appointments for free COVID-19 vaccinations in locations throughout Montgomery County, and improve access to the vaccine. For more information on this service or to find locations for the mobile vaccination clinics, call Public Health at (937) 225-6217, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm or visit www.phdmc.org.