It’s a new direction for Metro.
This year, Metro is planning to implement short-term improvements to boost the efficiency and productivity of current service and make it easier to ride. The proposed changes were identified during a major transit planning effort in 2012.
The improvements proposed for this year include:
• New, limited-stop service called Metro*Plus, connecting the Montgomery Road corridor to Uptown and downtown
• More service options in major corridors, including Glenway, Winton, Vine, and Reading
• More crosstown services to reduce the focus on downtown transfers
• Shorter travel times by streamlining several routes
The proposed short-term improvements are planned for implementation in August 2013 and December 2013 and are being made within Metro’s 2013 operating budget.
“Last year, we listened to the community’s suggestions and, as a result, are proposing a number of service changes to better meet our customers’ needs and attract new riders,” says Terry Garcia Crews, Metro CEO and general manager. “We’re ready to go forward with improvements that will make Metro more efficient, more convenient, and easier to ride.”
Metro will hold a public meeting to receive comments about the proposed changes on May 1. The public may also submit comments on Metro’s website, by e-mail or fax, or in writing.
Proposed August 2013 service changes
NEW Metro*Plus pre-BRT demonstration project
New Metro*Plus service will test the community’s interest in more expanded Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. Metro*Plus will provide a direct, limited-stop connection between the Montgomery Road corridor from the Kenwood/Blue Ash area to Uptown and downtown. Customers must currently transfer to get to Uptown from Montgomery Road.
Metro*Plus will offer:
• Fewer stops for faster service
• Specially branded buses and stops for easy identification
• Service to Metro’s new Uptown Transit District and connecting routes
• A college connection to UC and Xavier University; transfer in Uptown to Cincinnati State
More routes serving Metro’s Glenway Crossing Transit Center
• New Rt. 32 Glenway Crossing-Price Hill, providing all-day service to Price Hill and downtown
• Modified Rt. 64 Glenway Crossing-Westwood, connecting residents to shopping on Ferguson
• Connections to Rt. 38X Glenway Crossing-Uptown Express and Rt. 77X Delhi Express
New crosstown options (connecting at Glenway Crossing Transit Center)
• Rt. 41 Glenway Crossing-Oakley Crosstown, serving the new Mercy Health West Hospital
• Rt. 51 Glenway Crossing-Hyde Park Crosstown, connecting to the Uptown Transit District
More service on major corridors
• Rt. 19 Colerain (between North Bend and Galbraith) and Rt. 33 Glenway will add service
December 2013 service changes
• Faster service on Rt. 1 between Museum Center and Eden Park (including portions of Walnut Hills)
• More service to Tri-County: Rt. 20 (Winton corridor) and Rt. 78 (Vine corridor)
• Expanded Rt. 31 West End-Evanston Crosstown service to Keystone Parke (Red Cross, Strayer University)
• Expanded Rt. 43 Reading Road service to Evendale (Walmart, Social Security office)
New Uptown Transit District (spring groundbreaking, open by year-end)
Several routes will be modified in Uptown to serve the new Uptown Transit District for access to jobs, education, medical, and entertainment
and easier transfers.
• Four transit boarding areas:
• Vine between McMillan and Calhoun
• Jefferson Ave. and University
• UC Health medical center and Cincinnati Children’s
• Hughes Corner business district
• Enhanced shelters, streetscaping and wayfinding
• Real-time information
• Connections to new Metro*Plus service, many Metro routes,
and Uptown shuttles
Public meeting
The public meeting on Metro’s proposed short-term plan changes will be held on May 1, in South Meeting Room 232 of the Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH. The public may attend anytime between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to give comments about the proposed changes.
Presentations will be offered every hour on the hour. Sign-language and Spanish-language interpreters, and Braille-format and Spanish-language materials, will be available if requested at least one week before the meeting.
