2013 News Releases
Metro and Access buses will operate on a holiday (Sunday) schedule on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and New Year's Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1.
The Board of Trustees of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) voted today to express its willingness to assume responsibility for Cincinnati Streetcar operating costs.
Attention Rt. 71X Metro riders: Effective Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, Metro will begin serving a new park & ride lot at the Meijer's store on Montgomery Rd. (3911 W SR 22-3, Loveland, OH) near the intersection with Fields Ertel Rd.
The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family and friends of William L. Mallory, Sr.
Wael W. Safi, Pharm.D., Corporate Functions and Open Innovation manager for San Francisco Bay Area and University Relations for Procter & Gamble, was named to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority’s board of trustees on Nov. 19.
Look for new schedules for Rts. 4, 11, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 32, 33, 41, 46, 64, 75X, 78 and Metro*Plus. In addition to some minor time and route adjustments, more service is being added on overcrowded routes.
Metro fareboxes will stop accepting 10-ride tickets on Jan. 1, 2014. Metro customers may exchange unused 10-ride tickets (value $17.50) for an equal number of $17.50 stored-value cards from Monday, Dec. 2 to Tuesday, Dec. 31.
This friendly competition on Nov. 23 resulted in more than 1.5 tons of nonperishable items or about 2,800 meals for the less fortunate in the community.
Metro’s Holly Jolly Downtown Trolley showcases the seasonal magic of downtown Cincinnati through the windows of an old-style trolley.
Fare Deal customers must use new electronic “tap & show” smart cards starting Jan. 1, 2014. After that date, the current Fare Deal card with the magnetic stripe will no longer be accepted by Metro’s fareboxes regardless of the expiration date printed on the swipe card.
UC Economics Center unveiled a study that shows how Metro stacks up against transit systems in peer cities, and Metro recapped its recent accomplishments, 2014 plans, and vision for the future at the Nov. 19 State of Metro annual meeting.
Metro and Access buses will operate on a holiday schedule on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 28. Both services and the Metro call center return to regular schedules on Friday, Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving. However, the Metro sales office will be closed on Nov. 28 and 29.
Metro is hosting a Riverfront Transit Center Open House on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, free to the public from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Metro is making it easier to purchase fare options with the online sale of $30 stored-value cards.
Metro and the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) will compete to get the most nonperishable items for local nonprofits at the 2013 Stuff the Bus food drive in Cincinnati in Northern Kentucky.
Metro and Access buses will operate on a regular schedule for Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11.
Metro’s Rt. 41 will provide a vital connection to the West Side’s newest hospital, Mercy Health - West Hospital in Green Township, starting on Nov. 12.
Starting Nov. 1, Metro is extending the duration of a transfer to 120 minutes (two hours) from the time the transfer is issued. Currently, transfers are good for 90 minutes.
Ride Metro's Rt. 1 free to and from the Cincinnati Museum Center on Nov. 1 and 7 from 4 - 9 p.m.
Metro provided 17.7% more express weekday rides in September compared to the same time last year.
Metro has appointed Frank M. Spataro as executive director of Human Resources/EEO officer.
Metro employee Daron Brown has been named assistant director of the Fleet & Facilities department.
Hand-painted art celebrates native plants, fossils and Native American art at the Metro bus shelter at the intersection of Clifton and Ludlow in front of the Diggs Plaza entrance to Burnet Woods.
Metro and Access buses will operate on a regular schedule for Columbus Day, Monday, Oct.14.
Twenty-four downtown bus shelters get artsy makeover by ArtWorks apprentices.
Metro will detour downtown during the annual Oktoberfest Zinzinnati celebration held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20, 21 and 22, 2013.
Paul Grether, Metro’s Rail Services Manager, was named to Mass Transit Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list, honoring professionals who have made significant contributions to the public transit industry.
Metro celebrated to a disco beat as it hosted several events to commemorate its 40th anniversary as Greater Cincinnati’s public transit system.
Metro and Access buses will operate on a holiday/Sunday schedule on Monday, Sept. 2, in observation of Labor Day. Metro will run regular Sunday service during Riverfest (no special service). Detours will be listed on the website.
SORTA Board Member Jason Dunn was named to the Business Courier’s 2013 Forty Under 40 class.
Metro is inviting the community to celebrate its 40th anniversary on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fountain Square.
After more than a year of planning and community input, it’s time to go forward with Metro service improvements, beginning Aug. 18.
Metro*Plus service that directly connects the busy Montgomery Road corridor to Uptown, downtown and The Banks starts Aug. 19. Customers can ride the new route FREE during the first week of service, Aug. 19-23.
On Aug. 2, Metro held a ceremony to dedicate the first Metro*Plus bus to former SORTA Board Trustee William Mallory, Sr., in honor of his many years of service to public transit in Greater Cincinnati.
Metro stored-value cards are now for sale at Metro’s sales office, 120 E. Fourth Street, Mercantile Building arcade downtown, weekdays 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (open 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Aug. 1 and 2).
Brennan C. Grayson, a partner with Kircher, Suetholz & Grayson (KSG), was named to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority’s board of trustees on July 16, 2013.
The intersection of 5th and Walnut will be CLOSED from July 12 at 6 p.m. - July 15 at 6 a.m. due to construction (relocating services and manholes for streetcar). Metro will detour Rts. 1, 6, 10, 15X, 21, 27, 28, 32, 42X, 49, 50, 75X at that location.
On Wednesday, July 17, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., all rides on Metro's Rt. 1 will be $0.50 each way ($1 round trip) during the Macy’s Kids, Cultures, Critters and Crafts Festival at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
A BIG bus stop sign like the one that will be used to mark bus stops near dozens of park facilities across Cincinnati and Hamilton County will be unveiled on Wednesday, July 10, 10 - 10:15 a.m., at the Music Hall Plaza in Washington Park.
Metro and Access buses will operate on a holiday schedule on July 4, in observation of the Independence Day holiday. Metro and Access will be on regular schedule on July 5.
Metro bus tokens officially become part of history at midnight on Sunday, June 30. Beginning July 1, Metro fareboxes will no longer accept tokens.
New stored-value cards, in prepaid amounts of $10, $20 and $30, will be available for sale starting Aug. 1.
The Metro Fare Deal Office is moving to Metro’s Silverton Eligibility building, 7000 Montgomery Road. Last day in Mercantile Center is June 28, 2013.
Waiting for the bus is about to become an artistic experience at 12 Cincinnati Metro bus shelters downtown and in Over-the-Rhine.
The Anderson Towne Center Kroger store is partnering with Metro and Anderson Township to boost bus ridership at events on June 19 and 27, from 6-8 a.m., at the Anderson Center Station park & ride (7832 Five Mile).
As gas prices in Cincinnati climb to near-record levels, Metro will participate in the eighth annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 20.
Metro’s Safety Committee will be at Government Square’s Area D on Walnut Street, on June 19, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., for a safety event.
Metro is reminding passengers to use or exchange any remaining Metro tokens before the end of June.
Metro and partners broke ground on the new Uptown Transit District to better serve the thousands of people riding Metro to and from jobs, education, medical services, and entertainment in Uptown every day.
Free rides, treats and prizes on June 19 and June 27, 6-8 a.m.
Metro’s regular summer service changes will go into effect on June 2. This will include minor running time adjustments on Rts. 12X, 16, 17, 43, 71X, 72, 75X to better serve our customers.
Shawn Donaghy, a Pierce Township resident, was promoted to Metro’s Director of Transit Operations on May 20.
Metro and Access will operate on a holiday schedule on Monday, May 27. Service will be detoured downtown for Taste of Cincinnati May 24 - 28.
To celebrate Bike to Work Day, bicycle commuters can ride free on Metro, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) or Clermont Transportation Connection (CTC) on Friday, May 17, when they transport their bikes on the easy-to-use bus bike racks.
Take note of the Metro detours for the Flying Pig 5K and 10K on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday.
It’s a new direction for Metro... Transit plan offers new services, better connections, improved efficiency; public meeting planned for May 1 to receive comments.
Metro is celebrating one of its greenest years yet… and it’s planning to get greener.
Only a month after two similar incidents in late February and early March, a Metro bus operator again took action to keep children on Cincinnati streets from harm.
Metro’s CEO Terry Garcia Crews presents a year of free rides to 100-year-old Metro customer on April 15.
Metro and Access will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Good Friday, March 29, and a regular Sunday schedule on Easter, March 31.
Several Metro routes will detour downtown on Monday, April 1, for the annual Findlay Market Opening Day parade. Metro is participating in the Opening Day parade.
The quick thinking of two Metro bus operators might have saved the lives of two children in separate incidents less than a week apart in late February and early March.
Metro Fare Deal program customers must reapply for new cards before June 30, 2013, to be considered to remain in the program and continue to pay reduced fares.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary on Aug. 15, Metro is on a mission to gather at least 40 stories from riders to highlight its rich history.
Metro’s 30-day rolling passes and 10-ride tickets are now available at the City Treasurer’s Office at City Hall, 801 Plum St., Room 202, downtown.
Rts. 10, 21, 24, 33, 46 and 67 will have minor schedule changes starting Sunday, March 3.
Metro staff will be taking part in a full-scale security exercise on Wednesday, Feb. 13. Metro bus service will not be affected.
Metro and Access will operate on a regular schedule on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 18.
To work, to school, to play and everywhere in between – more people rode Metro last year.
Southwest Ohio public transportation agencies ended the year on a high note, with positive news from Cincinnati Metro and the Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA).
Rt. 38X Glenway Crossing-Uptown Express ridership was up about 18% in December 2012 compared to the same time in 2011.
The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority has elected Suzanne Burke as Chair of the SORTA board for 2013. Karl Schultz was elected Vice Chair.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded Metro a grant for $206,973 to develop a transit maintenance workforce training program.
Metro and Access will operate on a regular schedule on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 21. Metro telephone information is open, but Metro administrative offices and the sales office are closed for the day.
J. Thomas Hodges received a Royal Coachman Award from SORTA on Jan. 9. This award is given by SORTA to honor an individual’s commitment to the development and betterment of public transportation.