Metro buses will no longer specifically provide direct service for students in Cincinnati public high schools.
Officials announced the change to a bus pass system for Cincinnati Public Schools students in grades 7-12 at Tuesday s Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority meeting.
The change means students will no longer ride vehicles filled with only students.
The negotiations with CPS leadership happened over the past six weeks, said Darryl Haley, CEO and general manager for Metro.
Haley said discussions about services for students with CPS have been ongoing for longer. He said transit agencies in Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton all operate under similar pass systems for public schools.
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This Sunday, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority will begin 24/7 Metro service on seven of its major routes. The union president doesn t think there are enough drivers to make it a reality. The bus company disagrees.
This new 24/7 Metro service is a part of the first phase of its Reinventing Metro plan. This was made possible with the passing of Issue 7 last spring. The additional 0.8% Hamilton County sales tax should provide about $100 million a year for the bus system plus another $30 million a year for road and bridge projects throughout the county.
Troy L. Miller, president and business agent of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 627, expressed his doubts about Metro s new venture.