CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Metro is holding public meetings this week to discuss its new, innovative transit option, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) is "reinventing metro" by bringing BRT to Cincinnati. The enhanced transit option "will bring faster-than-ever service and significantly reduced travel times to the corridors it travels along," SORTA said.
Per SORTA, BRT uses limited stops, frequent service, smart traffic signals, dedicated buses lanes when possible and streamlined boarding and exiting to achieve reduced travel times and provide those traveling with reliable service. The service is also "universally accessible" as it has same-level entry between platforms and buses to accommodate for all.
According to rider Bethany Hickman, it’s about faster ride times.
“I like that the BRT system, hopefully the bus will come within 5-10 minutes anytime you go to the bus stop, you know you can count on it coming. That’s the main advantage for me,” Hickman said.“ Also, it will be able to avoid traffic or its own bus lanes in some cases and then it could completely avoid traffic and be very consistent, frequent and easy to use.”
The transit option is under a nine-month study that ends in spring 2023 to figure out the best locations to launch BRT in. So far, four corridors have been identified and two will be selected for initial service. The chosen corridors represent Metro's most popular transit routes, and each carry more than 1 million riders per year.
Once those two corridors are chosen, SORTA's goal is to launch BRT in 2027. There are 2 virtual meets on Tuesday, October 18 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Or visit the in-person meeting on Wednesday, October 19 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Clifton United Methodist Church at 3416 Clifton Avenue. The focus of this meeting will be on the Hamilton Avenue corridor.
"As demonstrated in other cities with BRT systems, BRT corridors attract revitalization, new development, new jobs, retail and affordable housing," SORTA said.
There are currently more than 30 BRT systems in the U.S., including ones in Cleveland, Columbus and Indianapolis.
The initiative to introduce BRT to the Greater Cincinnati area came after Hamilton County voters approved Issue 7 in May 2020. The approval provided additional funding for improved and expanded transit service and transit-related infrastructure within the county.
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