FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2008

NEW THIS FALL: NKU RIDES FREE ON METRO, UC RIDES FREE ON TANK
Metro/TANK reciprocal U-Pass program expands free rides regionally

CINCINNATI, OH - It's a free ride to college... on both sides of the river.

Beginning with the 2008 Fall term, University of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University students, faculty and staff can ride both Metro and TANK free by showing their current university photo ID card. Valid UC photo ID cards will now be accepted for free rides on TANK and valid NKU photo ID cards will be accepted for free rides on Metro.

The reciprocity agreement between Metro and TANK does not affect current contracts with the universities. Metro will continue to provide free rides to UC students, faculty and staff under their UC*Metro program. TANK will continue to provide free rides to NKU students under their U-Pass program.

"It's all about expanding access to educational opportunities," said Marilyn Shazor, Metro's new CEO. "Metro and TANK have partnered to provide that regional connection, and we believe it will be highly successful."

"Both TANK's and Metro's U-Pass programs have been very popular. We believe that regional reciprocity will make both programs even stronger and get more students riding," said Mary Lou Franzoni, TANK's General Manager.

The UC*Metro Program began on April 30, 2007. The two-year program is funded by UC and UC Student Government. In the first year ending April 30, 2008, more than 815,000 free rides were provided to UC students, faculty and staff.

The program was created to lessen traffic congestion in the uptown area, free up valuable parking on and near campus, improve air quality, and reduce transportation costs for students.

Metro is a tax-supported public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority. Metro operates almost 400 buses, providing about 23 million rides per year in the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County with limited service to Butler, Clermont and Warren counties. Metro's website is www.go-metro.com.

TANK's U-Pass program started in July 2007 and is funded by NKU. In the first 10 months of the program, more than 88,000 free rides were provided to NKU students, faculty and staff on routes throughout the system.

The program is an effort by NKU to help lighten the financial burden associated with transportation and to help reduce the need for expanded parking facilities. in addition, the environmental benefits of riding the bus appeal to college students, making them likely to give it a try.

The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky is an integral part of the Northern Kentucky community, serving Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties as well as downtown Cincinnati for more than 30 years. Nearly 4 million passengers each year rely on the more than 100 TANK buses throughout the region to get them where they need to be. TANK is on the web at www.tankbus.org

# # #