Metro outlines BRT timeline, $350 million investment and infrastructure grants in council update

Metro officials updated the Climate and City Services and Infrastructure committee on service expansions, Bus Rapid Transit progress and the Transit Infrastructure Fund.

Andy Aiello of Metro told the committee the agency has shifted its network from a hub‑and‑spoke model to a more gridlike system and increased service within Cincinnati: "we have 15% more service miles and 11% more service hours operating within city limits than we did in 2019," Aiello said. He said those gains come alongside growth in ridership and targeted service changes meant to connect people to jobs and housing.

Why it matters: Metro said the BRT corridors, to be branded MetroRapid, are intended to move more passengers faster and spur transit‑oriented development. Sharon Lacombe, Metro’s senior director for Bus Rapid Transit, said the agency has held more than 250 meetings with roughly 9,500 participants during three years of project development. Aiello said the two corridors are approaching later stages of design—about 40–50% on one and roughly 30% on another—and that Metro expects construction to begin in 2027.

Metro described the core elements of BRT that drive speed and reliability: consolidated stations with level boarding, offboard fare collection, signal priority at intersections and curbside bus‑and‑turn lanes where room allows. "The station is really where you get that BRT benefit," Aiello said, noting stations require the largest capital investment.

Transit Infrastructure Fund and capital work: Khaled Chamot, deputy innovation and vision officer at Metro, summarized the infrastructure fund created by Issue 7 and said the program has awarded "over $349,000,000 to 131 projects" across Hamilton County; applications for round 6 are due May 30, Chamot said. Aiello also said Metro has launched replacement of roughly 4,000 bus stop signs over two years and is adding benches, shelters and more Metro Now zones.

Electrification and service pilots: Metro reported the introduction of its first two fully electric fixed‑route buses with four more planned for summer and a fleet goal of 13 electric buses by 2027. Aiello said Metro will adopt electrification as range and cost dynamics in the industry improve so the transition is operationally and financially sustainable.

Operations and equity: Committee members pressed Metro on how it prioritizes infrastructure and service. Metro staff said bench and shelter placement is guided by boarding counts and site visits, and that jurisdictions may request site reviews through the agency website or a public email. On MetroNow, staff said the on‑demand zones have carried over 15,000 passengers a month and that the next zone planned is Bond Hill followed by Montford Heights.

What’s next: Metro said it will propose a consultant team to study Government Square’s transit center function and that the study will focus on the Government Square site and a one‑to‑two block boundary rather than alternative downtown locations. Council and Metro officials agreed to continue coordination as BRT design and procurement proceed.

Closing: The committee thanked Metro for the update and moved on to remaining agenda items; no formal vote on Metro projects was recorded during the meeting.