Film about RTA and Beavercreek feud wins ‘best feature documentary’

UPDATE @ 10:20 a.m. (Feb. 21)

“Free To Ride,” the documentary about the struggles between the Greater Dayton RTA and the city of Beavercreek, won best feature documentary at the 2017 D.C. Independent Film Festival.

ORIGINAL REPORT

A feature-length documentary about the Greater Dayton RTA feud with Beavercreek over access to public transportation premiered at a Washington, D.C. film festival.

“Free To Ride” premiered Friday at the DC Independent Film Festival. The film is produced by Ohio State University’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity.

RTA: Union president seeks to dismiss trespass case

The feud between the regional transit authority and the city ended in 2013 when council approved three bus stops along Pentagon Boulevard after first rejecting RTA’s application.

The council reconsidered its position on the bus stops after the Federal Highway Administration determined the city’s previous rejection of the stops, in 2011, violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The city risked losing more than $10 million in federal highway funding if the council decision was not reversed.

DETAILS: RTA stops in Beavercreek now in service

Service on the Beavercreek route began Jan. 12, 2014. The dispute has occasionally been revived as RTA adjusts or proposes new routes.

RTA CEO Mark Donaghy attended the movie’s premier, according to the agency. The transit authority said it is working to bring the documentary to local movie theaters.

Read more about Greater Dayton RTA:

» Miamisburg bridge replacement will impact traffic, RTA routes

» 5 times American transit workers walked off jobs

» Ohio GOP legislators say 'never again' after RTA strike

» RTA's union deal could be reopened by June, allowing another strike

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