Tag: Metro

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News Politics Transportation

Metro to celebrate green initiatives at Cincinnati Earth Day

Earth Day 2009 marked the introduction of six new hybrid buses to Metro’s fleet. Since that time the buses have helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide environmentally responsible trip alternatives, save diesel fuel and money for the regional transit authority.

“We are proud of the results that we have seen from the hybrids and the positive response we’ve received from the community,” said Marilyn Shazor, Metro’s CEO. “Cincinnati has welcomed the hybrids and recognizes the value in our green efforts.”

To date, Metro officials cite that the hybrid buses have cut gas emission by some 190 tons while saving close to 7,000 gallons of diesel fuel. The savings not only represent an environmental benefit, but a financial one for the transit authority as well.

“In addition to the environmental benefits, the hybrids provide financial savings for Metro,” Shazor explained. “In the past year, the hybrids have saved us nearly $22,000 in fuel, and we project continued fuel savings over the life of the hybrids, and the environmental benefits will continue as well.”

On Saturday April, 17 Metro will take part in Cincinnati’s Earth Day celebration at Sawyer Point by showcasing one of their hybrid buses at a booth where the transit authority will share information on other green initiatives they are overseeing like the new articulated buses that add capacity and increased efficiencies to Metro’s fleet, their LEED-certified transit hub in Avondale, use of reused rainwater for bus washing, burning waste oil to heat their garages, and the recycling of motor fluids such as antifreeze, refrigerant and power steering fluid.

Cincinnati Earth Day is free and open to the public and will run from 12pm to 5:30pm at Sawyer Point (map) along the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati. This year’s festivities will include hands-on displays, a rock climbing wall, kayak paddle safety pool, ORSANCO’s aquarium, baby animals, story telling, an environmental puppet show, a green childrens fashion show, live music, a parade and more.

Metro will also be providing this information and more at another booth to be set up at the Cincinnati Zoo during Zoo’s Tunes & Blooms “Go Green” Night on April 24th.

“Overall, Metro’s services significantly reduce car trips and fuel consumption in Greater Cincinnati. A commuter who rides Metro 20 miles round-trip will decrease annual carbon dioxide emissions by 2.4 tons per year,” said Shazor. “As a tax-supported transit system, we are focusing on being green and saving green at the same time.”

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News

This Week in Soapbox – 3/16

This Week in Soapbox UrbanCincy has the following seven stories that you must check out. Read about how to maximize the use of the city’s historic alleys, a new first of its kind land use modeling program, Bartini joining the downtown nightlife fold, the challenges facing individual investment in the urban core, SORTA’s newest board member, and two terrific feature stories about the hidden gem that is North Avondale and how the arts community is helping change the conversation in Cincinnati.

If you’re interested in staying in touch with some of the latest development news in Cincinnati please check out this week’s stories and sign up for the weekly E-Zine sent out by Soapbox Cincinnati. Also be sure to become a fan of Soapbox on Facebook!

TWIS 3/16/10:

  • Making the most of Cincinnati’s alleys – full article
  • New modeling program to help region with future land use decisions – full article
  • Bartini to open in downtown Cincinnati’s Backstage Entertainment District – full article
  • Resolving the challenges facing individual investment in Cincinnati’s urban core – full article
  • Cincinnati transit authority to swear in youngest ever board member – full article
  • Neighborhood Gem in North Avondale (feature story) – full article
  • Changing the Cincinnati conversation through art (feature story) – full article
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News Politics Transportation

UC*Metro Improving Incrementally

The UC*Metro program has seen a number of changes since its introduction in 2007. Unfortunately, most of these have made the program more difficult to use or more expensive for riders. However, one upcoming change will make the program a little simpler.

Starting in Spring Quarter 2010, Metro will print the photo and name of the purchaser directly onto new fare cards. This means that riders will no longer have to show a separate UC ID card in addition to their UC*Metro fare card when boarding. Spring Quarter cards are available for purchase starting today. There is no need to have new photos taken, as existing UC ID photos will be used.

When the program was introduced in 2007, UC*Metro provided all University of Cincinnati students with free rides on any Metro route by simply showing their UC ID. Currently, the program costs $40/quarter for students ($120/quarter for employees) plus 25 cents or more per ride, depending on the route.

If you’re a University of Cincinnati student, faculty or staff member, is using UC*Metro a good deal for you? Or does the complexity and per-ride cost make it not worth your time?

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News

Metro service changes take effect on 3/7

In response to customer requests, Metro will start offering earlier service to the University of Cincinnati’s Raymond Walters campus along bus route #4 to Blue Ash, and will be making a variety of changes geared towards improving service to the Central Business District from the city’s west side neighborhoods.

The special service changes will go into effect on Sunday, March 7 along with the routine seasonal service changes all seen below:

Metro officials will be on hand to answer questions and field concerns at the Government Square Transit Hub from 8am to 10am on Friday, March 5. New bus schedules for affected bus routes will also be available.

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Development News Politics Transportation

Where would they all park?

Metro, the non-profit that operates Cincinnati’s bus system, is facing a budget deficit of $16 million in 2010. To preempt this crisis, officials in December elected to reduce service on virtually every route, and eliminate some routes entirely (new schedules). Many Cincinnatians values Metro’s presence because it is a critical service for residents and visitors alike, but some remain hard to convince.

Metro’s important role in Cincinnati goes beyond the obvious. For example, there simply is not enough parking downtown to eliminate bus service. If Cincinnati were to eliminate Metro entirely, the city would need 127 acres of additional parking.

According to Carter Dawson, the group that is managing The Banks development on the riverfront, 85,000 people work in downtown Cincinnati, and according to Metro, 20 percent of them commute using the bus. Therefore, 17,000 people ride to bus downtown to work each day. The amount of space needed for each parking space is estimated at 325 square feet after factoring in space needed for access lanes. As a result, Cincinnati would need to add more than 5.5 million square feet of additional parking space, or about 127 acres.

The land area bounded by 3rd Street, Race Street, Central Parkway, and Sycamore Street is about 130 acres (map created here).

Cincinnati simply cannot afford to throw away 127 acres of prime real estate. Not only does downtown hold some of the region’s most lucrative businesses that would have to go elsewhere, but the tax revenue lost by this displacement would be catastrophic as well. In addition, roadways would need to be expanded to accommodate the increased traffic, stealing even more valuable downtown space. Residents would also be displaced, taking with them the income tax revenue on which the city relies. Cincinnati cannot afford to eliminate Metro. Instead, policymakers ought to be seeking ways to bolster this community asset.