Santa’s Sleigh for the RTA…

It’s safe to say that Dayton’s system of public transportation has come a long way over the last century and a half. Public transportation has existed in Dayton since before the 1840s, when people had to travel by stagecoach.  In 1869, the Dayton Street Railway Company established its first horse-drawn streetcar line and with the advent of the automobile, the city continued to make improvements and upgrades to the public transportation system. By the early 1930s, Dayton’s residents could step aboard brand new electric trolley buses. This efficient, reliable form of public transportation continues to be utilized today by the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, both in the city and surrounding areas. Pictured here, is one such trolley bus which was decorated for the holidays.  This photograph is from Dayton History’s Image Collection.

To see other historical images from our collection, search our Digital Photo Archive.