Cincinnati Metro Awarded $2.8 Million In Grants For 4 Projects

Cincinnati Metro has announced that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has awarded the transit agency over $2.8 million in grants for four projects designed to support and enhance the rider experience, communications, planning, organizational efficiency, and security. The grants come as part of a collective $106 million investment by the State of Ohio to support quality public transportation in Ohio.

“Modernizing and enhancing every part of Metro’s ecosystem ultimately creates a better experience for our riders and community,” Darryl Haley, CEO and General Manager of Metro, said. “These four projects will allow us to better plan, connect, and serve our region in a more efficient and modern way.”

The grants, distributed by ODOT, come from the Transit Partnership Program and Workforce Mobility Partnership funding programs.

The following Metro projects will receive funding:

• New Digital Real-Time Signs | $1,687,500 — Metro will introduce 300 real-time signs at key transit stops and transfer stations across its service area to enhance a rider’s experience with innovation and smart technology. These signs will offer up-to-date arrival/departure times, weather alerts, and service information without the need for apps or websites, ensuring safety and convenience for riders. This initiative supports Metro’s increased efforts to provide essential transit information directly to passengers.
• Long-Range Transportation Planning Study | $606,400 — As Metro continues to grow from pre-pandemic ridership numbers, and with the successful implementation of expanded services, the study aims to investigate the expansion from a traditional bus system to a comprehensive mobility service. The study intends to explore access to employment hubs and vital services for residents — in line with Metro’s mission to foster connections, spur economic vitality, and enrich quality of life through a varied transit network catering to work, healthcare, shopping and more.
• One Badge To Rule Them All | $280,000 — The implementation of a new badging system will allow for a single badge to grant seamless employee access to everything from computer systems to timeclocks and fareboxes. This initiative also preserves existing infrastructure and elevates the network’s security.
• Real-Time Data Collection Devices | $200,000 — Metro’s Handheld Data Collection Project brings efficiency and real-time capabilities to off-site employees, providing real-time information through handheld devices and streamlining data collection. The devices will also allow employees to track areas of high ridership and log suggestions, questions, or concerns from riders.

Haley added, “As we continue to execute our vision for Reinventing Metro, funding opportunities from partners like ODOT are critical in achieving our mission of connecting people and places, driving economic growth and expanding quality of life choices.”

Metro was established in 1973 as a tax-funded, not-for-profit transportation provider by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority. It provides fixed-route and paratransit service to Hamilton County and the surrounding southwestern Ohio region. Learn more at www.go-metro.com.