Almost 75% of respondents think expanded transit is needed

CINCINNATI – Metro today received the results of a recent phone survey related to its go*Forward vision for transit in the region. The survey was conducted from Sept. 15-19 by Fallon Research & Communications, Inc. with responses from 503 Hamilton County residents. 

A few highlights of the survey include:

• 92.9% agreed that providing transit service for workers, older adults, students, people with disabilities, and those who don’t drive is important to the regional economy and quality of life
• 80.7% said that transit is a community benefit, whether or not they use it
• 73.8% think that expanded and improved transit service is needed

(35.6% think transit should be expanded “a lot” and 38.2% think “somewhat”)

The highest priorities identified included:

• More east-west crosstown routes to avoid downtown transfers
• More suburban park & ride and express services
• More early morning and late evening service
• More amenities like real-time information, improved shelters, etc.

A series of funding options for improvements were presented, including ¼-cent and ½-cent sales tax options, both 10-year and permanent.  The intent was to begin to understand the community’s level of interest in funding expanded transit service.  The results will help inform the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority board’s decisions related to implementation of the go*Forward transit vision.

“It is imperative that we have input from the community as we consider our next steps,” said Jason Dunn, Chairman of the SORTA Board.  "The region is expanding, and we must grow with it. In order to do so, we need to understand the needs of our community. The survey is one way to gauge that."

“This survey tells us that Hamilton County residents recognize the need for better public transit.  Not surprisingly, what’s less clear is how to pay for the improvements.  I want to be clear that we’re talking about funding for bus transit, not for the Cincinnati streetcar or other rail initiatives.”

The survey results are available HERE.  

Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 17 million rides per year in Greater Cincinnati.

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