By Paula Scott

Allen County RTA buses are a regular weekday sight on Bluffton streets. Since 2021, the regional transit authority has provided transportation Monday-Friday from multiple points in the village and Beaverdam to Lima. At an August council meeting, ACRTA director Brian Wildermuth announced that fixed stops with signs are being introduced to the service. He asked the Bluffton council for permission to attach signs to existing sign posts.

According to Wildermuth, the busiest time is the 6:20 a.m. run, which likely provides many riders with transportation to work. He noted that ridership is going up nicely and that fixed stops and timepoints should help provide a better service to the community.

The #9 Bluffton route started in June of 2021; through December of that year, 203 rides were made. In 2022, the service provided 1,247 rides and so far this year, 1,117 rides have been provided.

Within Bluffton, the #9 bus makes regular stops (listed below) along Main St., at manufacturing facilities, and along Jefferson St./State Route 103. Buses no longer use a flagging system to signal the driver to stop. The bus stops at designated points along the route (flyer attached; ACTRA website)

The Bluffton route has a higher cash fare than routes within LIma due to the added distance. The adult price is $2.00, senior/disabled is $1.00, and youth ages 6-18 are $1.50.

Busses leave the Depot in Lima at 20 minutes after the hour with runs at 6:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 2:20 p.m. and 4:20 p.m.

Dedicated stops along the route as of September 13, 2023 are:

:21 after - Jackson and Wayne

:22 after - Jackson and McKibben

:23 after - Jackson and Jefferson

:24 after - Sugar and 81

:25 after - 81 and Prosperity

:35 after - Napoleon and Main

:35 after - Main and Lima

:35 after - Main and Mills

:36 after - Flying J

:42 after - S. Main and Bentley

:43 after - S. Main and Garau

:44 after - S. Main and College Ave.

:44 after - S. Main and Cherry St.

:45 after - N. Main and Elm

:46 after - Bluffton Pool

:46 after - Bluffton Recreation Center

:47 after - SumiRiko

:49 after - Auto Kiniton

:49 after - Diamond

:50 after - Jefferson and Citizens Pkwy

:51 after - McDonald's

:52 after - Jefferson and Citizens Pkwy

:54 after - Jefferson and Vance

:55 after - S. Main and Cherry St.

:56 after - S. Main and College Ave.

:57 after - S. Main and Garau

:57 after - S. Main and Bentley

:02 after - Pilot (Will Call)

:03 after - Main and Lima

:03 after - Main and Mills

:04 after - Napoleon and Main

:09 after - 81 and Prosperity

:10 after - 81 and N. Jefferson

:11 after - 81 and McKibben

:12 after - 81 and Wayne

Buses do not run on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.