Metro News

Free rides to help improve access to vaccinations for all eligible
CINCINNATI – To support the COVID-19 mass vaccination event taking place March 18-20 at the Cintas Center, Metro and Access paratransit service will provide free rides on all routes each day of the event.

Metro will also provide a free shuttle service transporting riders from two designated bus stops to the main entrance of the Cintas Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

The Cintas Center is served by Metro Rts. 4, 31, 51 and Metro*Plus. Customers are encouraged to use the Transit app to plan and track their trips in real-time.

The shuttle service will pick up from Metro bus stops located at Montgomery & Dana and Woodburn & Dana in addition to making stops at the Xavier University parking lot C-2 and their overflow parking lot.

“Metro is excited to be able to do our part in helping ensure all eligible populations have equal access to vaccination sites,” said Darryl Haley, Metro CEO & General Manager. “By providing free transportation, we can eliminate one hurdle for those who want to receive the vaccine, but may not own a vehicle or live near a vaccination site.”

Metro is offering the free rides in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Transportation, City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County and the Health Collaborative. Rides are funded through a new “Rides for Community Immunity” program announced by the Ohio Department of Transportation, which is offering $7 million in funding distributed across Ohio’s 88 counties to help get the state’s most vulnerable populations transportation to vaccine locations.

Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 13.5 million rides per year.