A community on wheels
When Tom Conroy and his wife Amy (Welch) Conroy ‘87 stepped into a low-speed electric vehicle while exploring California, he didn’t know that the short ride would lead to something much larger across the country. He remembered the driver was “kind and friendly but best of all, informative.” That simple trip stuck with him — inspiring him to bring the idea to Dayton.
The Conroy’s sent three of their children to the University of Dayton, some of whom ended up living in downtown Dayton. While visiting his children and being able to spend some time downtown, he saw an opportunity. He saw his adult children struggling to find safe, affordable and trustworthy ways to get around after dark. Assuming that students and visitors face the same struggle, Conroy got to work.
“We like to be the last mile of transportation,” Conroy said. “If the buses cannot take you the full way, we want to.”
That vision became reality only a year ago in 2024, when Conroy launched two low-speed electric vehicles to serve the Dayton community through a Cincinnati based company called GEST Carts. His mission is simple: to enhance community, foster connectivity, support local businesses, and to overall promote the city of Dayton.
The community response was clear: Students and downtown Dayton users love the GEST Carts. In the first year alone, the GEST Carts carried about 10,000 people — averaging 100 riders per night. For just $5 per group, passengers can hop aboard between 5 and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights by calling (937) 888-4378.
“We want people exploring our city and supporting our businesses while feeling safe doing so,” he said. “A ride share service only takes you from point A to B, we do the same thing but with engagement and knowledge of Dayton and establishments”
To make that happen, Conroy has started offering historical tours designed to highlight the city’s fun and distinctive past. He’s even planning a combined brewery-and-history tour to connect Dayton’s breweries with its history to encourage more tourists and locals to learn about the city. An app is also in the works, expected to launch by March of 2026, making rides easier to book and track.
“We have only been open a year, so we are still seeing how we can best serve not only Dayton students but our community as well,” Conroy said.
What started with a single ride across the country has now become thousands in Dayton. With new tours, an app, and a growing ridership, Conroy hopes each trip continues to be more than just a quick ride — it’s a chance to connect people to the city he calls home.