FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2007

APRIL RIDERSHIP UP 8% FOR LONG-DISTANCE EXPRESS ROUTES
West Chester Express ridership up 19% last month

CINCINNATI - With gas prices high and a 25-mile drive to work, more long-distance commuters turned to Metro to cut their transportation costs last month.

Overall ridership on Metro's long-distance express routes increased 8% compared to last April, with 36,088 rides in April 2007.

Metro's Rt. 42X West Chester Express ridership was up 19%, compared to last year. The route provided about 535 rides per weekday or about 11,220 rides total last month. Commuters park free at the West Chester park & ride at the Meijer store, 7390 Tylersville Rd. Fare is $2.75 one-way, to and from downtown.

There also were significant increases on the following commuter routes:

• Rt. 52X Harrison Express - 8% increase; 5,543 rides last month
• Rt. 82X Eastgate Express - 2% increase; 5,907 rides last month

Fare for both the Rt. 52X Harrison Express and Rt. 82X Eastgate Express is $2.50 one-way. The Harrison park & ride is located at Harrison Kroger, 10553 Harrison Ave., and the Eastgate park & ride is located at Union Township Civic Center, 4350 Aicholtz Rd. near the Eastgate biggs store. Parking is free at both locations.

For more information on Metro service, call Metro at 621-4455, weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or visit www.go-metro.com

Metro is a non-profit public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 22 million rides per year in Greater Cincinnati.

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