RTA history bus to debut in Americana Festival parade, providing free rides Independence Day

(DAYTON, OHIO) ... Grab your lawn chair and catch a front row seat to the debut of the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) history-themed bus in the Centerville and Washington Twp. Americana Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. 

The new history buses include a 40-foot diesel bus and a NexGen electric trolley. The buses are designed to take community members on a ride down memory lane by showcasing historic and current photos of various landmarks throughout Montgomery County. The photos on the bus are displayed as polaroids to inspire the feeling of looking through an album to reminisce. The design also features a green, black, and white retro stripe which is a nod to historic RTA bus designs.

The diesel bus design, which is set to debut in the parade, includes Rike’s Department store building at Second and Main streets, Woody’s Market in West Carrollton, the former Callahan building, and Hara Arena. The design also features current photos of some of the landmarks, such as the Callahan Clock which is on display at Carillon Historical Park and the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center where Rike’s used to stand. The Schuster Center also displays some of Rike’s holiday window displays during the holiday season.

To keep the memories rolling, the RTA will switch out the photos displayed on the diesel bus and trolley bus from time to time. Community members are invited to take photos of the history buses and share their memories on social media using the hashtag RTAHistoryBus (#RTAHistoryBus).

The Americana Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on July 4 at Centerville High School on East Franklin Street and turn south onto Main Street. It will end on South Main Street at Tuxworth Road. To learn more about the Americana Festival, visit www.AmericanaFestival.org.

After making its debut in the parade, the history bus will be added to regular service throughout Montgomery County. 

In observance of the federal holiday, RTA will also be providing free rides systemwide on Independence Day to help customers attend the various events planned throughout Montgomery County. To plan your trip visit www.iriderta.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Kristi Newton (937) 425-8379, Communications and Community Relations Manager