Back To School on Metro: The “Smartest” Way to Go

CINCINNATI -
Metro is excited to welcome student riders back to the system for the upcoming school year.

Metro has a long history of providing safe, reliable and convenient service to Cincinnati Public Schools student riders. This school year, eligible 7th-12th graders will receive Metro Smart Cards to enable them to take advantage of Metro's newest service enhancements to get to and from school each day. Last school year, Metro provided nearly 10,000 CPS student trips each school day, which included approximately 1,200 7th and 8th grade students who opted to use Metro's service.

Planning your trip & tips for riding
To plan your trip utilize Google Maps trip planner or the Transit App, simply enter your home address and your school destination, the time you would like to arrive by and select a date that school is in session. You will be provided with all the options available to get you to your destination. Select the route option that best meets your needs. While most students will have a direct route to and from class, a small portion of students who may live a significant distance from their school of choice, may require one transfer.

Download Transit App for trip planning and real-time bus tracking. Please arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes early and for your safety never run after a bus. If you miss the bus, thanks to increased frequency on most routes, another bus should be along soon.

To ensure a smooth transition, Metro staff will be present at all CPS orientation sessions and at transit centers during the first few days of school to assist families with trip planning and answer any questions they may have. Parents and guardians are also invited to accompany their students free of charge on Metro between August 14-23.

Safety
Safety remains a top priority for Metro. With a longstanding record of securely transporting students, our trained professional operators are dedicated to providing a pleasant journey for all riders. To ensure a secure environment, all Metro buses and transit centers are equipped with surveillance cameras. We also collaborate closely with the Cincinnati Police, who monitor transit centers and conduct ride-alongs when necessary. Students and parents are encouraged to visit go-metro.com/student-transportation to learn more and to get tips for students who choose Metro as their way to go to school.

University Partnerships
Metro is excited to announce a partnership with the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State, and Xavier University. Students and staff at these institutions who register for Metro's University EZRide program will be eligible to ride Metro FREE for the first 30-60 days of school. After the promotion period, participating students and staff are eligible to ride Metro for just $1 each trip all year long. More information on the program can be found on Metro's website.