If you're looking to ride someone else's bus in Kettering, Ohio, there are a few options available to you, depending on your age and destination. For students in kindergarten through 12th grade, the Kettering City School District provides transportation services. Alternatively, if you're a senior citizen aged 60 or above, the Kettering Recreation Complex offers a transportation program with sedans and wheelchair-accessible buses for medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other local trips. Additionally, for public transportation within the Miami Valley, you can rely on the Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA). When riding someone else's bus, it's important to follow safety guidelines, be respectful to the driver, and be mindful of other passengers' needs.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Who is eligible? | Students in kindergarten through the 12th grade, who live in Kettering, attend a public or private school that is accredited by the State of Ohio and reside more than one mile from that school. |
Who is not eligible? | Students are not allowed to bring friends with them on the bus. Only those students assigned to that bus are permitted to ride. |
Who to contact for eligibility queries? | Transportation Department at (937) 499-1770 |
Who can access student schedules? | Only the student’s primary contact |
Who can volunteer as a driver? | Those with a valid Ohio driver’s license and background check |
Who is the program for? | Kettering residents ages 60 and over |
What You'll Learn
Public transportation in Kettering, Ohio
The RTA's bus routes also extend to nearby cities, including Kettering, Huber Heights, Moraine, Miamisburg, Oakwood, Riverside, Centerville, Trotwood, Dayton, and Vandalia.
For those specifically looking to travel to Kettering, Ohio, from Cincinnati, there are a few options. The journey can be made by bus, taxi, or car. Taking a taxi is the quickest option, with an estimated travel time of 54 minutes, but it is also the most expensive, costing between $120 and $150. The bus is a much cheaper alternative, with tickets costing between $5 and $8, but the journey is significantly longer, taking almost four hours. There is no direct bus from Cincinnati to Kettering, and travellers will have to take a bus from Government Square Area D to Meijers Park & Ride, followed by another bus from Meijer Park & Ride - Tylersville SB to Dayton South Hub Transit Center NB.
For families with students in kindergarten through to the 12th grade in Kettering, the Kettering City School District's Transportation Department provides transportation services. The department uses the Stopfinder app to allow families to access student transportation schedules, bus stop information, and notifications related to transportation services. The app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
The Kettering Transportation Department prioritises bus safety, with employees conducting bus safety classes for children from pre-kindergarten through to the third grade. Bus drivers are also required to complete an intensive training program and must obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Passenger and School Bus endorsements. They are subject to pre-employment and random drug screening, as well as annual physical examinations, to ensure they meet the state's physical requirements.
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Kettering Senior Transportation Services Program
The Kettering Senior Transportation Services Program is a transportation service for Kettering residents aged 60 and over. The service is provided using sedans and wheelchair-accessible buses. Transportation is provided for medical appointments, grocery shopping, CIL programs, hair salons, banks, and pharmacies. The service operates from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with the last pick-up from home at 4 p.m.
The program provides door-to-door service to shopping and personal appointments within Kettering city limits and extended trips within the following boundaries:
- North: 1st Street in Dayton East to Findlay Ave, then to Burkhardt East to I-675
- East: I-675 to Wilmington Pike and South to E. Centerville-Station Road
- South: SR 725 (Miamisburg Centerville Rd/Franklin St), then East on E. Centerville-Station Road to Wilmington Pike
- West: SR 741 (Springboro Pike) to I-75, then I-75 to 1st Street in Dayton
Additionally, the VA Medical Center and Sycamore Medical Center are allowable destinations for appointments in the morning. Appointments for the medical offices on Sylvania Drive, Greene County, are also accepted.
To make an appointment for a ride, individuals must call between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments must be made at least two business days in advance, and Monday appointments must be scheduled by the previous Thursday. Appointments can be made up to four weeks in advance, and one week of advance scheduling is recommended due to a limited number of appointments.
When calling for a ride, individuals should have the following information ready:
- Time needed to be at the destination
- Special accommodations, such as wheelchair or mobility issues, or if an aide will accompany the rider
- First and last name of the doctor or name of the business
- Complete address of the location, including street name, number, and any special instructions
- Phone number of the doctor or business
On the day of the appointment, riders should be ready at least 30 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. The driver may arrive up to 30 minutes before or 15 minutes after the scheduled time, depending on other appointments and the destination. Riders should not leave their homes if they cannot see the outside arrival area and do not have a cell phone. The driver will wait five minutes for the rider to exit their home and will make one attempt to reach them by phone if they are not ready. The driver will assist the rider into and out of the vehicle if needed.
The Kettering Senior Transportation Services Program has specific requirements for riders. All riders must be able to board the vehicle unassisted or with minimal assistance, or they can provide an aide to accompany them. For individuals using wheelchairs, wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available, and drivers will assist with loading and unloading. If using a motorized scooter, riders should call the center to check the availability of accommodating vehicles and provide the dispatcher with the length and width of their scooter.
First-time riders must complete a registration card and pay a $10 yearly membership fee. Registration can be done over the phone, by mail, or in person at least one week before the first ride. Registration includes basic information, an emergency contact name, and demographic questions. Riders must also purchase a Rider's Card before scheduling trips. These cards can be purchased in amounts of $12, $24, and $48, and the driver can bring the card to the rider's next scheduled trip. The number of rides per card varies according to the amount purchased and the distance traveled. The cost per trip depends on the destination, ranging from $4 to $10 for round trips. Riders must present their Rider's Card to the driver at the beginning of each trip for the amount to be deducted.
The Kettering Senior Transportation Services Program also offers opportunities for individuals to volunteer as drivers. Volunteers must have a valid Ohio driver's license and undergo a background check. The City of Kettering provides additional training and the vehicle for transportation. Volunteering requires a commitment of one morning or afternoon per week, with shifts lasting four hours between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
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Kettering City School District bus services
The Kettering City School District provides bus services for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who live in Kettering and attend an accredited public or private school located more than one mile from their school. The District's Transportation Department works closely with the City of Kettering's Safety Department to ensure that all bus services are safe and adhere to established safety regulations.
The Transportation Department offers the Stopfinder app for families to access student transportation schedules, bus stop information, and notifications related to transportation services. Access to student bus schedules is granted only to the student's primary contact, who may then share the information with caregivers (sub-subscribers). Bus safety classes are also conducted for children from pre-kindergarten through the third grade, and parents and guardians are expected to reinforce bus safety guidelines with their children.
Additionally, the District's bus drivers undergo intensive training and are required to pass driving and written tests to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with the necessary endorsements. They also undergo drug screening, physical examinations, and annual recertification to ensure they meet all state requirements.
For students utilizing the bus services, it is important to note that only those assigned to a specific bus are permitted to ride, and friends are not allowed to accompany them. Students are expected to follow the bus safety rules, which are founded on the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, and to conduct themselves in a respectful and orderly manner at the bus stop and during the ride.
The Kettering Recreation Complex also offers a Senior Transportation Services Program for Kettering residents aged 60 and over. This program provides door-to-door transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, CIL programs, hair salons, banks, and pharmacies within Kettering city limits and extended trips within specified boundaries. This service can be accessed by calling the center and scheduling an appointment at least two business days in advance.
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Travel to Kettering from Cincinnati
If you're travelling from Cincinnati to Kettering, there are a few options available to you. The best option depends on your budget and time constraints.
The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by taxi, which takes around 54 minutes and costs $120-$150. This option is ideal if you're in a hurry and don't mind spending a little extra on transportation.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, you can take the bus. The bus from Cincinnati to Kettering costs between $5 and $8 and takes approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes, including transfers. Keep in mind that there is no direct bus between the two cities, so you will need to make a few changes along the way.
Another option is to drive your own car. The driving distance between Cincinnati and Kettering is around 48 miles, and it will take you about 54 minutes to get there. This option gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and make stops along the way if needed.
Finally, if you're looking for a more scenic route, you could consider taking a combination of bus and train. You can take the bus from Cincinnati to Dayton, and then take the RTA bus from Dayton to Kettering. The RTA has 18 bus routes in Dayton, including one that goes to Kettering. This option will likely take longer, but it could be a good choice if you want to take in the sights along the way.
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Dayton RTA
The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is a public transportation provider in Dayton, Ohio, serving the city and 23 surrounding communities in Montgomery County and parts of Greene County. The RTA operates 18 bus routes, with 2498 bus stops, seven days a week, 21 hours a day.
The RTA's bus routes cover a wide area, including Kettering, Huber Heights, Moraine, Miamisburg, Oakwood, Riverside, Centerville, Trotwood, Dayton, and Vandalia. The system had a ridership of 6,570,600 in 2023, or about 24,600 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
The RTA operates both diesel and electric trolley buses, with the latter being a notable feature of the system. Dayton is the smallest city in the United States to operate electric trolley buses, which have been in continuous operation since 1933. The RTA's commitment to environmentally friendly transportation is further demonstrated by the addition of hybrid buses to its fleet in 2010, earning it the designation of Ohio's greenest transit fleet.
The RTA has five bus "hubs" or transit centers, which serve as connections to many suburban bus routes around Dayton. The hub in downtown Dayton is called Wright Stop Plaza and opened in 2009.
The RTA provides door-to-door service in certain areas of the Miami Valley where fixed-route service is unavailable or limited through its RTA Connect On-Demand program. Customers can use the Lyft app or call RTA to schedule trips, which can be booked the same day or up to seven days in advance.
The RTA also offers "How-to-Ride" classes at Wright Stop Plaza to help new, current, and returning riders navigate the system.
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Frequently asked questions
Public transportation in Kettering, Ohio, is provided by the Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA). You can find out more by visiting their website www.i-riderta.org or calling 1-937-425-8300.
Yes, the Kettering Recreation Complex offers a senior transportation service for residents aged 60 and over. This service provides transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, CIL programs, hair salons, banks, and pharmacies within Kettering city limits and some surrounding areas. You can find out more by calling the Kettering Recreation Complex on 937-296-2480.
The Kettering City School District provides school bus services for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who live in Kettering and attend an accredited public or private school located more than one mile from their home. You can find out more by contacting the KCS Transportation Department on (937) 499-1770 or by downloading the Stopfinder app.