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Beginning Monday, April 30, 2007, all UC students, faculty and staff began riding free on Metro just by showing valid university-issued photo identification cards. Here are answers to questions about this new program.
Q: Who is paying for the UC free ride program?
A: UC and UC Student Government are paying Metro to subsidize the fare for students and employees. Metro will count students and employees who ride and provide ridership reports to UC.
Q: Who is eligible for this program?
A: Anyone with a valid UC photo ID card, including all current UC students, faculty and staff at all UC locations, both full-time and part-time employees of University Hospital who are Health Alliance employees are not eligible for this program. They do not have a UC ID card.
Q: Does the UC*Metro program apply to Access?
A: Yes. This free ride program also applies to Access service for people with disabilities. Access customers must use special tickets that they can request from UC's Disabilities Services Office at 210 University Pavilion. The UC ID must also be shown to the Access driver.
Q: How will riders identify themselves as eligible UC riders?
A: All eligible UC students and faculty must present a valid UC photo ID card to ride free. You may only take part in this program if your ID card has a UC logo.
Q: Does this program cover travel on any Metro route?
A: Yes. UC students and employees are allowed to use their photo ID cards to ride any Metro route any time of day on any day of the week, not just to and from UC. The only exception is special services such as Riverfest or Bengals Express. This program does not apply to TANK buses.
Q: What if a UC student asks for a transfer?
A: Since all rides are covered, there is no need for a transfer and a transfer should not be issued.
Q: Why isn't Metro providing free rides to Xavier or Cincinnati State students?
A: Remember, these aren't free rides. UC and UC Student Government are paying Metro to provide this service to UC students and employees as part of an overall strategy to reduce traffic and help with recruiting. If other colleges or universities want to enter into an agreement with Metro to provide a similar program, we will be happy to work with them.
Q: When will this program end?
A: The length of the initial contract is two years with an option for a third year. At the end of two years, UC and Metro will re-evaluate the program to determine if it should be continued and possibly negotiate a new financial arrangement based on actual ridership.
Q: Why is UC providing free rides?
A: There are several reasons. The Uptown area has grown in the past few years and UC has grown along with it. As a result, traffic has increased and parking is at a premium. UC hopes to encourage more students and employees to ride Metro to help reduce congestion and free up valuable parking for visitors. Also, UC recognizes that taking the bus is an environmentally conscious way to commute and wants to promote a more responsible choice for its students and employees. Finally, offering free transportation on Metro will help UC attract and retain students and employees.
UC and Metro tested a pilot program in Fall 2005 and it was very well received. During the six-week pilot, UC-related ridership tripled. UC decided to offer this current program based on the success of that test.
Q: What's the benefit to Metro?
A: In off-peak times, Metro has unfilled seats and this program will increase ridership during these off-peak times.
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