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Metro outlines Bus Rapid Transit stations for North College Hill, aims to begin construction in 2027
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Summary
Metro officials told North College Hill City Council they plan two Bus Rapid Transit stations in the city, with construction expected to start in 2027 and complete by 2028; council members pressed for exact station siting and accessibility for the Clover Nook Center for the Blind.
Metro representatives gave North College Hill City Council a progress report on a planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor that would add two stations serving the city and speed trips to the riverfront.
The presentation, delivered during the council’s Nov. 3 meeting, said the project is funded from local revenues approved by Issue 7 in 2020 and will not require new local taxes. Metro said it plans a North College Hill station at Goodman near Hamilton and a Cross County/Center Ridge station near Centerbridge Avenue. Metro estimated construction would begin in 2027 with operations by 2028.
“ We are looking to begin construction in 2027, and we expect that we would be complete by the 2028,” a Metro representative said. The presentation also noted the BRT vehicles will use dedicated-station platforms, provide level boarding and include ADA-compliant station elements to improve boarding and access for riders with mobility, vision or hearing impairments.
Council members asked for precise siting and timing. Mayor Mary Nichols and a deputy from Metro said the transit center and stations remain in design and subject to environmental review and federal approvals. Khalid Shamut, introduced as the agency’s deputy for strategic planning and innovation, said some environmental work and negotiations with property owners remain before construction can proceed.
Council members raised accessibility concerns for nearby institutions, including the Clover Nook Center for the Blind. A council member said the center is about a block away from the proposed Goodman/Hamilton platform and asked Metro to consider a closer local stop or improved route connections. Metro responded, “ We’ll take a look at the distances, to make sure that we're providing everything that we can do from an accessibility standpoint,” and said it could add tactile warning strips and review sidewalks between stations.
Metro said the BRT corridor would stop less frequently than existing local routes, shorten travel times by an estimated 25–30 percent over current buses and include station amenities rather than simple stops. Officials encouraged residents to review display boards in the meeting hallway and to follow up with staff for project details.
The agency stressed the timeline depends on federal environmental clearances and vehicle and staffing availability; Metro said some ‘MetroNow’ on‑demand zones remain limited by vehicle and driver supply and urged residents who can drive buses to apply. Metro representatives offered to provide more detailed maps and follow up with specific station coordinates when they complete site negotiations.
The council did not take action on the project at the meeting; Metro indicated further coordination and design review would continue with the city and stakeholders.
