The Human Services Chamber of Hamilton County has released its final report of a year-long study that reveals recommendations from bus riders and would-be riders to improve public transit. Based on feedback received from personal interviews, community conversations, and over 800 survey responses in Winton Hills, Avondale, Walnut Hills and Mt. Healthy, the study found that the most important improvements both bus riders and non-bus riders want are: frequency and timeliness of service; shorter travel times; bus stops closer to their homes and destinations; and more bus shelters. Some of the additional recommendations from the study include:
- Make free or discounted bus passes available for residents of public housing;
- Increase options for riders without phone or internet access to purchase bus passes;
- Increase frequency on weekend routes;
- Install lighting at bus stops;
- More routes to job centers and Uptown medical facilities;
- Reassess the removal of bus stops near locations where seniors and people with disabilities frequent;
- Allow children 5 and under to ride for free;
- More cross-town routes.
Our public transit system is a lifeline to many of our residents and a critical economic tool for our region. Approval of the proposed transportation levy (Issue 7) on March 17 will allow Metro to fulfill many of the recommendations in this report, directly benefiting residents who depend on bus service for their health, economic security and overall quality of life.
This project was conducted in partnership with the Better Bus Coalition and with support from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
