New Metro lines running near campus

Metro is now offering more service to the University of Cincinnati and UC Medical Center area.

Previously, seven routes served the university area, but now there are two additional routes.

UC students, faculty and staff from Western Hills, Anderson Township, and Mt. Washington can now access the Clifton campus with prices ranging from 50 cents to $1.30, depending on time, day and location.

Metro spent the past year reviewing and revising its routes in an effort to make its bus service faster, more direct and easier to use, according to Metro officials.

Metro bus service has not changed significantly since it began as Greater Cincinnati's public transportation service during 1973.

Cincinnati's Metro is a non-profit public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority.

During the last four to five months, the Metro system has gone through a complete service stop restructuring, said Sallie Hilvers, director of public affairs for Metro.

The public transit service currently has about 7,000 service signs stationed around Cincinnati.

"It is a pretty daunting task to change that number of bus stops," said Hilvers.

The change in service will not increase Metro fares, said officials.

"This total system overhaul has actually saved $1.25 million so far for this year," said Hilvers.

This new effort is aimed at making sure that Metro is spending every tax dollar wisely, she said.

Using Metro services may have become a better option for students faced with the hassles of parking on campus, as student enrollment reaches record highs.

However, additional parking spaces will not be greatly improved anytime soon, said John Hautz, UC director of parking.

"We hope to gain a few more spaces from the Calhoun Garage as its construction continues," Hautz said.

In addition, Metro advocates cite rising gasoline costs and excessive car emissions as reasons to ride Cincinnati buses.

Meanwhile, uninformed students may shy away from using the bus.

Several students said they knew little or nothing about Cincinnati's available public transportation.

Lori Colwell, a first-year fashion design student, said that Metro just isn't convenient.

"I have a tight schedule, so every now and then I need to be able to just go, and so Metro is not an option for me," she said.

However, Metro bus routes use multiple buses on the same route so riders will see a bus every 20 minutes, which allows the rider to have more flexibility in choosing a departure time. Meantime, Metro riders should be aware that sign changes are still taking place in light of recent route changes.

"Some of the signs are still in the process of being changed," said Hilvers.

Patrons can contact the MetroCenter at (513) 621-4455 for more information about the recent route changes.

Schedules can be found at www.sorta.com.