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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 4, 2009

METRO ADDS ARTICULATED “ACCORDION” BUSES TO FLEET
More people per bus, greater productivity on Metro’s busiest routes

CINCINNATI –Think of it as a bus-and-a-half with an accordion in the middle.

On Friday, Dec. 4, Metro along with state and local dignitaries dedicated five new articulated “accordion” buses that will be used on Metro’s busiest routes to add capacity and improve productivity.

Each new articulated bus can carry up to 50% more riders at about the same cost to operate as a regular bus, which is especially important with Metro’s recession-related budget challenges.

The articulated buses will expand Metro’s capacity on several heavily used bus routes, including Rt. 43, Rt. 45 and Rt. 47 in the Reading Road corridor, providing more room for riders at a time when service is being reduced due to budget.

“The articulated buses are workhorses. They will allow us to carry more customers per bus and increase the efficiency on routes that are frequently crowded,” said Marilyn Shazor, Metro’s CEO. “This is especially important now as we try to stretch every dollar to serve as many customers as possible with a smaller budget.”

The articulated buses replace old buses that were beyond their useful life and are funded primarily with federal Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) funds, made possible through the Ohio Department of Transportation and OKI Regional Council of Governments.

A few key facts about Metro’s new articulated buses:

• Length: About 60 feet (compared to regular 40-ft. bus)
• Weight: About 24 tons
• Capacity: More than 100 people (62 seated; 50+ standing)
• Cost per bus: Just over $611,000, funded primarily by federal funds

Saturday, Dec. 5 -- see an articulated bus and help those in need
One of Metro’s new articulated buses will be at the Anderson Towne Centre Kroger Marketplace (7580 Beechmont Avenue) tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as Metro participates in a “Stuff the Bus” competition to benefit St. Vincent de Paul.

Please bring non-perishable food items and personal health/hygiene items to fill the new articulated bus to help those in need.

Metro is a non-profit public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 22 million rides per year. Metro supports the economy, protects the environment, encourages energy independence, and improves the quality of life in Greater Cincinnati. Catch Metro at www.go-metro.com.

Our thanks to Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is a nationally recognized institution dedicated to sparking community dialogue, insight and inspiration. As one of the top cultural attractions in the Midwest, Cincinnati Museum Center has served as an educational, research and entertainment resource to millions of visitors from around the world. Organizations within Museum Center include the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater, and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library. These organizations combine to serve more than 1.3 million visitors annually, reaching out to nearly 400,000 young people through hands-on exhibits and programs. Originally built in 1933 as a train station, Union Terminal stands as one of the last remaining grand-scale Art Deco style railroad terminals. The building is a National Historic Landmark and was renovated and reopened as Cincinnati Museum Center in 1990. For information, call 1-800-733-2077 or visit www.cincymuseum.org. Cincinnati Museum Center gratefully acknowledges operating and capital support from Hamilton County.