SORTA 'State of Metro 2022' marks progress made and looks to future
Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority held an Oct. 25 luncheon where more than 300 elected officials, business and community leaders, transit industry decision-makers, Cincinnati Metro customers and more celebrated the State of Metro 2022.
The event served as an annual meeting; a report to the community on Metro’s recent accomplishments and future plans; an education in regional and national transportation trends and impact; and a chance to celebrate a historic time for Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Kelley Brookins, Regional Administrator for the Region 5 Office of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), gave keynote addresses. Each spoke about the critical role public transit plays in building and maintaining a vibrant community, as well as the renewed federal and regional focus on shoring up transportation and infrastructure.
A central theme throughout the State of Metro 2022 was the ongoing transformation of Cincinnati and Hamilton County through the Reinventing Metro initiative.
Now in the beginnings of Phase 2, Reinventing Metro already has resulted in tremendous improvements, including 24-hour service on multiple routes, increased span and frequency and the modernization of Metro’s fleet with new amenities like on-board Wi-Fi and charging ports. These improvements, along with those to come, were made possible by the historic passage of a countywide sales tax in 2020 to fund public transit and infrastructure within Metro’s service area.
Metro CEO and General Manager Darryl Haley summarized what Reinventing Metro means to the region in his State of Metro address, “Reinventing Metro comes down to one word: more,” he said. “More choices, more quality, more 24-hour service, more weekend and extended-hours service, more route expansion, more crosstown routes, more amenities, more transit centers. And so much more to come.”
Also included in the “more” is the addition of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a cutting-edge transit option that offers the convenience and speed of light rail but at less cost and with less construction. Metro is currently engaging the community and analyzing potential BRT corridors.
Haley went on to detail the impact Reinventing Metro has on local employment and the economy. The improvements so far, he said, have connected workers to 35,000 additional jobs in the region, creating more options for employment. They also have resulted in more economic impact to the region by generating $850 million in total wages for the local economy.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners Vice President Alicia Reece and Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval also addressed the audience, speaking to Metro’s crucial role in the region and how residents benefit from the cooperative strategy taken by the city, the county and Metro.
Other speakers included Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority Board Chair Kreg Keesee and American Public Transportation Association President and CEO Paul Skoutelas.
Recognizing partners
The authority was pleased to present its State of Metro 2022 Awards, recognizing key partners in the mission to improve public transit for the region. Those recognized were:
- Community Advocacy Award: Better Bus Coalition
- Community Partnership Award: Northside Business Association
- Business Partnership Award: Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
- Leadership Award: Jason Dunn, former SORTA Board Chair
- Leadership Award: Kreg Keesee, SORTA Board Chair
State of Metro 2022, held at the downtown Cincinnati Westin Hotel, was emceed by Local 12 evening anchor Kyle Inskeep. It featured a musical performance by the Baby Grands, a women’s a cappella group of students at the School for Creative and Performing Arts. The Cincinnati Police Department Honor Guard conducted the presentation of colors during the National Anthem.
