Metro News

Program to enable students, citizens to do online school work, take Census and more
CINCINNATI – Beginning Monday, June 22, Metro, in partnership with the City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Public Schools and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, will provide Wi-Fi-equipped Access vans as a safe way for the community to connect to Wi-Fi to conduct school work, apply for benefits, complete the 2020 U.S. Census form or just stay connected to family and friends digitally.

The Wi-Fi-enabled Access vans will be accessible to the community FREE June 22 through 26 between 1-5 p.m. on the following dates and Cincinnati Recreation Commission locations:

Date  Location    Communities/schools served

June 22 McKie Community Center,  College Hill, Mt. Airy, Northside & N. College Hill          

                      1655 Chase Ave                       (Aiken High)

June 23 Dunham Recreation Center,  Westwood, East & West Price Hill, & Price Hill

                       4356 Dunham Ln.          (Dater & West High)

June 24 Madisonville Recreation Center,  Kennedy Heights, Silverton, Pleasant Ridge,

                        5320 Stewart Ave.   Golf Manor & Madisonville (Shroder)

June 25 Bush Recreation Center,  Clifton, Norwood, Evanston, Walnut Hills,

                        2640 Kemper Ln. Bond Hill, N. Avondale, Mt. Auburn, Hyde Park (Withrow, Woodward & Hughes)

June 26 Lincoln Recreation Center  West End, Queensgate, OTR (Taft High)

                        1027 Linn St.

Users will be able to connect to Wi-Fi from between 50-100 feet of the Access vehicle. All Wi-Fi users must remain in their own vehicles at all times to maintain safe social distancing. No one will be permitted to board the Access vehicle at any time. Violation of these rules will result in the Access van being immediately removed due to health and safety concerns.

“With schools being out and so many in our community not having access to the internet, we thought offering our Wi-Fi enabled vehicles would be a great way to help provide a solution to at least one challenge our community is facing during these difficult times,” said Darryl Haley, Metro CEO & General Manager. 

“The City of Cincinnati is pleased to partner with Metro, CPS and CRC to bring Wi-Fi connectivity to several neighborhoods,” said John Cranley, Mayor of Cincinnati. “We’re hoping residents will use this opportunity to complete the 2020 census online, which will provide critical feedback that will help shape many different aspects of our city in the future.”

“CRC is glad to partner with Metro to bring free Wi-Fi at CRC recreation center parking lots that will help close the digital divide for members of our communities where access to lap tops and Wi-Fi is absent in some homes,” said Daniel Betts, Director of Recreation.

For more information about connecting to Metro’s Wi-Fi enabled vehicles click here.

About Metro

Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 14 million rides per year. Metro’s website is www.go-metro.com.

About the Cincinnati Recreation Commission

The Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) is dedicated to providing recreational and cultural activities for all people in our neighborhoods and the whole community. We believe that by enhancing people’s personal health and wellness, we strengthen and enrich the lives of our citizens and build a spirit of community in our City.

CRC provides recreational and cultural activities for Cincinnatians of all ages and abilities. We enrich the lives of Cincinnati citizens, through special public events, volunteer opportunities and leisure activities at our recreation centers, aquatic facilities, golf courses and hundreds of playgrounds and sports fields.

About Cincinnati Public Schools

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) is Ohio’s third largest district, serving about 36,000 students (preschool to 12th grade) in 65 schools. Enrollment is on the rise, jumping 20 percent over the last seven years.

At CPS, we are preparing students for life. It starts in preschool with all of our classrooms earning a 5-star rating, the highest rating from the Ohio Department of Education. At our neighborhood schools, CPS offers a specialized curriculum, such as STEM, career awareness and exploration, and project-based learning. CPS high school students have a variety of choices for career-focused programming, ensuring that our graduates are enrolled in college, enlisted in the military or employed in the work force.