Metro has an ongoing commitment to our community and environment. This year, with a new “Drop It In To Win” contest starting on Earth Day, there are even more reasons to go green with Metro.
Green Contest
As part of “Drop It In To Win,” Metro riders can submit their used 30-day rolling pass, stored-value card or 1-ride ticket at Metro’s Sales Office Arcade, 120 E. Fourth Street, in Government Square, starting April 21. Five winners will be selected to win a duplicate of whatever they dropped in for each drawing.
The first drawing will be held on Earth Day, April 22. The contest drawings will continue on the first weekday of each following month. At the end of the year, Metro will recycle all the remaining cards, so riders save two ways – saving money and the earth.
Green Fleet
The contest isn’t Metro’s only environmental effort. With 78 new “mini-hybrid” buses and 27 hybrid buses in its 356-vehicle fleet, Metro is a green transportation alternative. The “mini-hybrid” buses use thermal cooling technology to provide improved fuel economy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Green Partnerships
In 2012, the Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition selected Metro to receive the Cincinnati Earth Day Celebration’s Environmental Award. That year, Metro also partnered with the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ) and Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District with a Recycle and Ride program to reward residents with free Metro passes when they make the green choice of actively recycling.
Metro is a member of the local Green Umbrella organization working to improve the economic vitality and quality of life in the region around Cincinnati by maximizing the collective impact of individuals and organizations dedicated to environmental sustainability.
Throughout the year, Metro’s Maintenance team provides hybrid technology informational sessions to area high school Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students about how hybrids work.
Green Practices
Metro uses environmentally friendly practices every day, including:
- Using rainwater to wash buses
- Burning waste oil to heat garages
- Recycling and reusing motor fluids such as antifreeze, refrigerant and power steering fluid
“Metro is proud to offer Greater Cincinnati residents a green way to get to work, school and play,” said Metro’s CEO Terry Garcia Crews. “Metro continues to be the environmentally responsible way to travel in Cincinnati.”
