Plenty to do, RTA offers free fares downtown
There’s plenty to do in Downtown Dayton over the next several weeks, and thanks to the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (GDRTA), getting there is a whole lot safer, easier and less expensive. As a part of its efforts to thank you its riders, the GDRTA is extending free weekend rides through March 26. Robert Ruzinsky, CEO of the GDRTA, says the rides repay loyal customers through challenging conditions this winter.
“While we did the best we could in a challenging situation, I feel our customers were still greatly inconvenienced,” said Ruzinsky. “To thank them for sticking with us through the challenging weather event, as well as perhaps more extreme weather yet to come, RTA has decided to continue free weekend fares through the winter months.”
The free weekend rides apply to both fixed-route and paratransit services every Saturday and Sunday through March 26, 2023.
To celebrate Black History Month, the GDRTA is highlighting different traditions and cultural events that are significant within the African American community with its “Black Culture” campaign.
On Feb. 1, the month-long celebration will kick off with the roll-out of RTA’s February calendar bus, with the design details strongly influenced by Black culture. As with all of the agency’s calendar buses, the February bus features days of interest throughout the month but with a twist.
The days of interest will correlate with a member of the African American community who played a historic first role. For example, former President Barack Obama is featured on Presidents Day as the first African American president of the United States. In addition, Ella Fitzgerald is featured on Super Bowl Sunday since she is the First African American woman to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in 1972. Other popular February holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and Groundhog Day, also appear.
During the campaign, the RTA will feature eight traditions or cultural celebrations in several ways throughout the agency. While some topics are more commonly known, others may be a little bit more unfamiliar. They include Kwanzaa, “jump the broom,” Juneteenth, music, hair, food, mentoring and Black church. Each topic, along with corresponding information, will be printed on an interior card and placed in RTA’s fixed-route bus fleet for customers to read.
As part of its social media campaign, RTA will be launching an interactive trivia game. Every Thursday during the month, it will ask a different question related to the information found on the interior cards aboard its buses. More details about the trivia game will be announced on social media platforms.
Also, a seat will be reserved on every fixed-route bus using a special Rosa Parks placard to acknowledge her role in making every seat available to everyone.
If you missed Dayton Restaurant Week in January, there’s still plenty of fun in the upcoming weeks. Celebrate First Friday this Friday Feb 3 from 5 to 10 pm. According to the Downtown Dayton Partnership the event features tons of entertainment options and is held at multiple locations across town.
In March, the Buckeye Vodka Battle of the Bartenders is back at the Steam Plant for the first time since the pandemic! Presented by the Miami Valley Restaurant Association the event features local bartenders from more than a dozen local bars and eateries who are going to showoff their best cocktails. Each restaurant will serve its own creative Buckeye Vodka original cocktail paired with a small plate.
Tickets are $45 in advance (until march 6) and $55 the day of the event (March 8) and include; one Buckeye Vodka Flight Card (your choice of one of 4 Buckeye Vodka cocktails available from four different restaurants, food from each restaurant and one voting chip. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
A limited number of VIP tickets are available for early entry at 6 pm as well as 2 Buckeye Vodka Flight Cards, food from each restaurant and 2 voting chips for People’s Choice.
You can still skate under the shelter of a protected pavilion at the MetroParks Ice Rink, daily (including holidays) through Feb. 26. While the rink is open, treats like hot chocolate are available at concession area. You can also take advantage of fun skating activities like lessons, themed skating nights and more. Admission is $7 daily with a $3 rental fee for skates if you need them. Ages 3 and under are free with a paying adult.
Be careful, but have some fun out there!
