Metro News

Requirement follows state order and passage of city mask ordinance

CINCINNATI – All Metro customers and operators will be required to wear a face covering on board Metro buses beginning Wednesday, July 8 at 6 p.m., in accordance with the state order for Hamilton County and city ordinance.

The ordinance mandates that masks be worn in places of business, on public transportation and inside buildings operated by the city. All passengers on Metro must wear a mask to ride with the exception of children under the age of 2.

Metro will be distributing masks free to any customer who needs one on Government Square on Thursday, July 9, from 12-2 p.m. There will be a two-mask per person limit.

“It is important that we each do our part to protect ourselves and each other from COVID-19,” said Brandy Jones, Vice President of External Affairs. “Wearing a mask or facial covering is one of the most effective and simplest ways we can do that while riding.”

In addition to wearing a mask, scarf or other facial covering while riding, Metro asks riders to observe the following:

•Pay fare using Transit App with EZFare for contactless payment. (Cash fare still accepted.)
•Stand behind the plexi-glass barrier atthe fare box.
•Spread out as much as possible on board.
•Observe CDC safety guidelines including using hand sanitizer, washing hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue.

Here’s how Metro is keeping you safe:

•Conducting rigorous daily cleaning of all buses.
•Applying a chlorinated, sanitizing disinfectant that kills the coronavirus to all buses, including poles, stanchions and seats,and all facilities, including Government Square.
•Using an electrostatic sprayer which helps the disinfectant stick to surfaces.
•Employing plexi-glass barriers on all buses as an added layer of protection between customers and operators at the fare box.

Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 13.5 million rides per year.