New Service Will Ease Bus Commute to Uptown Destinations

Public transportation to the University of Cincinnati, UC Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is about to get much easier for students, faculty and staff commuting along the Montgomery Road corridor.

The Metro system’s new service, Metro*Plus, will debut Monday, Aug. 19, offering a faster, limited-stop service known nationally as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Customers can ride the new route free during the first week of service, Aug. 19-23.

Metro*Plus will directly connect the Montgomery Road corridor as far north as Kenwood to Uptown jobs and medical care, with stops on Burnet Avenue near Cincinnati Children’s and UC Medical Center.  Buses will run every 15 minutes on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and every half-hour from 6 to 10 p.m.

Previously, bus passengers in the northeastern corridor north of Norwood had to either ride all the way downtown and transfer back Uptown or exit the bus at a stop along Montgomery Road and transfer to a crosstown bus such as Route 51 or Route 24.

Ten specially branded BRT-style buses and Metro*Plus bus stop signs will make it easier to identify Metro*Plus service.  A Park and Ride option is available in Silverton.

UC's Metro Program offers discounted transportation options for riding Metro buses to eligible UC students and UC employees. Registration is open for the fall semester.