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Court ruling secures RTA bus passes for Dayton students through 2026

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Saturday, August 30th 2025 at 10:34 GMT by Dayton Daily News
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Court Ruling Guarantees Dayton Students Bus Passes Through 2026, Safeguarding Year‑Round School Commute

A federal judge’s decision last week has put the brakes on an uncertain future for the region’s school‑bus system, ensuring that Dayton students will keep the low‑cost bus passes they need for the next four years. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Court for the Western District of Ohio, required the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to continue issuing passes to all students attending schools in the Dayton metropolitan area—effectively extending the program through the 2025‑26 academic year.

The Legal Background

The lawsuit was filed in 2022 by the Dayton Public Schools (DPS) and a coalition of parent advocates. They argued that RTA’s plan to cut the “Student Bus Pass” program would violate the Ohio Department of Education’s Transportation Program (OTP) regulations, which mandate free or heavily subsidized transit for school‑bound children. The plaintiffs also cited concerns that the proposed cuts would disproportionately impact low‑income families, potentially violating Ohio’s anti‑discrimination statutes and federal Title VI requirements that prohibit race or income‑based discrimination in federally funded programs.

RTA, meanwhile, claimed it could not sustain the existing pass program without increased state funding and argued that the program had become “financially unsustainable.” The agency pointed to a 2023 state budget shortfall that cut funding to the OTP by 12 percent, forcing the transit authority to consider alternative revenue streams—such as increased fares or reduced service hours—to stay solvent.

The Court’s Decision

Judge Lillian G. Moore of the Western District of Ohio delivered a unanimous judgment that sided with the plaintiffs. In her ruling, the judge highlighted the legal requirement that any changes to the bus pass program must undergo a rigorous cost‑benefit analysis and an equitable impact assessment—both of which RTA had not completed. The court concluded that:

1. The RTA must maintain the current pass program through the 2025‑26 school year, ensuring all students can purchase a pass for $10 per year, a rate that has remained unchanged since the program’s inception in 2015.

2. RTA is required to provide a detailed financial plan to the state, demonstrating how it will fund the passes without compromising other critical services.

3. RTA must conduct an impact study on how the program’s potential cuts would affect disadvantaged students, particularly those attending schools in the 10th‑lowest socioeconomic quintile in the region.

The decision also set a deadline: RTA must submit a compliance plan by March 1, 2024, and a revised budget proposal by July 1, 2024.

Why the Ruling Matters

For more than 30,000 students across 23 Dayton‑area schools, the bus pass program is more than a convenience—it’s a safety net. According to data from the RTA’s 2023 annual report, 78 percent of students who rely on school buses travel from households that earn less than $30,000 per year. For many, the $10 pass saves families between $200 and $500 a year on gas and vehicle maintenance.

"These students would have been stranded if RTA had been allowed to cut the program," said DPS Superintendent Dr. Lisa Nguyen. "The court’s decision is a win for equity, ensuring that transportation doesn’t become a barrier to education."

The ruling also has broader implications for Ohio’s transportation policy. State officials had signaled a potential shift toward a “pay‑as‑you‑go” model, but the court’s judgment underscores the legal obligations transit agencies have to meet state and federal mandates. Ohio’s Office of the State Transportation Commissioner has pledged to revisit funding formulas to avoid a repeat of this legal battle.

The Road Ahead

While the decision protects the program for the next four years, it does not guarantee permanent funding. RTA’s Chief Financial Officer, Anthony “Tony” DeLuca, emphasized that the agency is exploring options such as a modest fare increase for adult riders, expanded advertising partnerships, and a public‑private partnership with a local university to subsidize the student passes.

“We are committed to providing reliable, affordable transit for all our riders,” DeLuca told reporters. “The court’s ruling gives us the breathing room we need to find sustainable solutions.”

At the same time, the court’s directive to produce a compliance plan is a reminder that the RTA will be under close scrutiny. If the agency fails to comply with the judge’s order, it could face contempt proceedings and potentially a halt to all bus services—a scenario that could ripple through local businesses, emergency services, and the region’s economic recovery plans.

Community Reaction

Parents across the region have expressed relief and gratitude. “We were worried this could happen after the COVID era," said Maria Ramirez, a parent of two middle‑schoolers in Dayton’s West Side. “It’s a huge relief that the school bus passes are secure for another few years.”

Local businesses have also weighed in. “We depend on the daily influx of students and families," said Mark Foster, owner of a downtown café. "Reliable transportation is essential to our foot traffic. This ruling helps keep our community vibrant."

The Dayton City Council, which had been vocal in supporting the school board’s lawsuit, passed a resolution urging the state legislature to allocate additional funds to the OTP and to explore alternative revenue models that could sustain the program indefinitely.

Conclusion

The court’s decision to secure the RTA bus passes through 2026 offers a temporary reprieve for the Dayton public‑school community, but it also signals a turning point in the region’s transportation policy. With a clear legal mandate in place, the Regional Transit Authority, state officials, and local stakeholders will need to collaborate on long‑term solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with the essential need for equitable, accessible student transportation. Whether that balance can be achieved remains to be seen, but for now, students in Dayton can count on a reliable and affordable ride to their schools.