Metro

Last year, Hamilton County voters approved a tax levy to pay for a massive overhaul in local transit, and some of the changes will be implemented soon. Officials say increased bus frequency on routes, longer hours of operation and better amenities will be an economic driver in the county, in addition to increasing accessibility and improving quality of life.

Metro wants to simplify its fare structure and is taking public comment on its proposed changes on Wednesday from 3-8 p.m. at the Duke Energy Convention Center.

A Cincinnati council committee voted on a resolution Tuesday endorsing a plan to create a bus only lane on a portion of Reading Road.

Ridership is down because of people sheltering or working at home, but Metro is still running and a spokeswoman says they're cleaning the buses thoroughly.

Hamilton County voters are being asked in March to increase the sales tax to pay for transit. It's something they've rejected at least three other times going back to the 1970s.

Metro is about to get more use out of the Riverfront Transit Center. The underground bus staging area will be opened for parking and some bus service starting March 1.

Cincinnati voters will take the first vote on changing the way transit is funded in Hamilton County on Nov. 5. But Issue 22 is not the sales tax increase proposed by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA). It's only step one of a two-step process.

A crash involving a Metro bus and another vehicle in Evanston sent 10 people to local hospitals Saturday, according to Cincinnati Fire officials.

Downtown is hosting several events this Memorial Day Weekend, and as such various streets and Metro routes are affected. 

Use your bike to get around the Greater Cincinnati area Friday and your ride on public transit will be gratis. 

The Heart Mini Marathon takes place on Sunday, March 10, and as such some streets Downtown and in the riverfront areas, as well as parts of Columbia Parkway will be closed. This also affects some bus routes. 

With the New Year on the horizon, Metro has released the holiday schedules for buses and the streetcar for Jan. 1, 2019. Here's what to expect:

With so much going on this weekend—and the fact that Monday is a holiday—the city of Cincinnati has issued a few advisories on what to expect as you try to get about town. 

Some Metro riders will have free Wi-Fi starting next week. Spokeswoman Brandy Jones says a pilot project starting April 9 will put Wi-Fi on 59 buses and five Access vehicles.

Between the late start to Reds Opening Day and the fact that this year's parade takes place well after the first pitch, Cincinnatians have gotten used to delays so far this spring. And come Monday, they'll have to prepare for more—on the roads at least. 

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority will ask Hamilton County voters to approve a sales tax next year. SORTA board members approved the plan Tuesday night. It stipulates any funding would be only for Metro bus service and operations and not the streetcar.

The Cincinnati streetcar is still busier on the weekends than during the weekdays.  

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority presented October ridership numbers to a city council committee Tuesday.

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority told a Cincinnati Council committee Tuesday it has a broken funding formula and it is looking to fix the problem. 

Board Chairman Jason Dunn and Chief Executive Officer Dwight Ferrell addressed the Major Transportation and Regional Cooperation Committee.