Cincinnati Metro updates Forest Park council on Metro Now on‑demand service; Forest Park records 9,174 rides

Cincinnati Metro officials updated the Forest Park City Council on Feb. 2 about Metro Now, the agency’s on‑demand shuttle service that operates in overlay zones including Forest Park.

Alex Osborne, a service planner with Metro, said the Forest Park/Pleasant Run overlay has recorded 9,174 rides since the service launched in the area on June 8, 2025. He said Metro Now has provided about 257,000 rides regionwide since May 2023 and listed the service’s top local destinations, including Winton Road Kroger and other shopping and employment centers.

Osborne described how riders book trips by mobile app or by calling dispatch, and he gave the fare and hours: “The fare is $2.50 each way. No hidden fees or surcharges,” he said. Metro Now’s hours are roughly 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends, with expanded weekend hours introduced late last year.

On methods of booking, Osborne said about 94% of trips are made through the mobile app and about 6% by phone; he said Metro’s average rider rating is 4.9 stars. He gave an average estimated time of arrival of about 25 minutes for pickups and explained that small, ramp‑equipped vans serve rides that connect to fixed‑route service for longer trips.

Council members asked about senior outreach, safety and whether the city could help increase awareness. Metro offered its outreach team to meet at senior centers and group‑book trips for up to eight riders, and said it will adjust zone boundaries based on demand — describing one prior zone adjustment to include an apartment complex that had unmet demand.

The council did not take formal action on the presentation. Metro staff encouraged council and residents to request additional Forest Park ridership data by email.

Next steps: Metro representatives said they will coordinate outreach to senior buildings and provide data on request.