Fairborn Riders Face Greene CATS Route, Fare and Late-Service Changes

Fairborn riders are adjusting to a revised Greene CATS service plan that changed route availability, weekday travel hours, same-day capacity and fares.

The final plan took effect July 1, 2026. It ended scheduled Flex Routes on June 30, including connections involving Fairborn, Beavercreek, Xenia, Yellow Springs and Dayton RTA service. The change does not mean all Greene CATS service ended in Fairborn, but riders who depended on scheduled Flex Routes must now use the system’s revised options.

Weekday service now ends earlier

Greene CATS weekday operating service now ends at 9:30 p.m. Final pickups are scheduled shortly after 9 p.m., so riders planning evening trips should allow time for the last pickup window rather than assuming a vehicle will remain available until the stated end of service.

The earlier end time may matter most to workers, students, medical travelers and others who rely on transit for late trips. Riders should confirm the available service and pickup timing before leaving, particularly when a trip involves a connection or a return journey.

Same-day capacity added near Fairborn and Fairfield Mall

The revised plan adds two same-day vehicles. One is assigned to the Fairborn and Fairfield Mall area, giving that part of the system additional planned capacity for trips requested closer to travel time.

The added vehicle does not guarantee an immediate ride or eliminate wait times. Availability can still depend on demand and scheduling, so riders should check whether a same-day trip is available before traveling.

Cash fares now depend on distance

Greene CATS now uses distance-based cash fares:

• $5 for trips up to 10 miles;
• $10 for trips from 10 to 20 miles; and
• $15 for trips longer than 20 miles.

Children age 13 and younger pay $2. Riders using the EZfare mobile-ticketing app pay more than the cash amounts because the app prices include a convenience fee. That distinction is important for passengers comparing payment methods or estimating the cost of a recurring trip.

Separate funding process remains underway

Transit funding is also being discussed separately from the service-plan changes. Greene County published a July Program of Projects proposing more than $1.5 million in federal support for operations, maintenance and vehicle purchases during calendar years 2026 and 2027. The notice included a public-input process with a meeting in Fairborn.

That funding notice should not be treated as final, awarded or adopted funding. It describes a proposal, while the July 1 service plan is the adopted operating change now affecting riders.

For each trip, Fairborn passengers should verify the current service option, request or pickup timing and total fare before traveling. The most important questions are whether the trip is still available after the Flex Route changes, whether the return trip fits within the weekday service window and whether paying through EZfare adds to the cash fare.

Sources

• Greene CATS EZfare Mobile Ticketing guidance