By Paula Pyzik Scott
Bluffton Icon owner-editor

With splashy graphics and a distinctive diesel purr, it's hard to miss Allen County RTA buses as they take riders along Route 9 in Bluffton. Did you know they have 18 designated stops, including Sumiriko, Auto Kiniton, Diamond Manufacturing and McDonald's, as well as downtown Bluffton and Garau at Main St., near Bluffton Hospital?

It takes some doing to figure out where these bus stops are. The Allen County RTA is waiting for the go-ahead from the Village of Bluffton to put up signs.

The RTA will provide and install the signs, according to committee and council member Liz Gordon-Hancock. 

If you would like RTA bus stop signs in the village, please let your elected officials know. You may leave a message at 419-358-2066 or email Bluffton council members, who are listed here.

Gordon-Hancock also shared that so far in 2026, RTA buses have made 669 trips to Bluffton, according to Brian Wildermuth, RTA Executive Director of Operations.

The inter-city bus service to Beaverdam, Delphos, Lima, Shawnee and Van Wert was established in 2021.