BRT provides faster service that is more competitive with automobile travel. Stops are restricted to major activity centers resulting in shorter wait times for customers. In addition, BRT offers better reliability, increased convenience, and enhanced amenities for riders. As other cities have shown, BRT can revitalize a region through the economic development along the corridors on which it operates. The SORTA BRT system characteristics could include some or all of the following features: Frequent, regular service (every 12-15 minutes), seven days a week, including late night service Bus-only lanes Stops spaced further apart (approximately every half mile) for faster travel Enhanced and specially branded signage, shelters, and stations Traffic signal priority Bus bypass lanes at key intersections( queue jumps) Level-floor boarding Specially branded vehicles Off-board fare payment More amenities: comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, real-time digital screens, wayfinding

BRT is less expensive and more flexible than light rail and can be implemented in a much shorter time frame.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is an enhanced bus service that operates on bus lanes or other transitways. It combines the fast and efficient characteristics of rail transit with the flexibility of traditional bus service.

More than 40 cities in the US have BRT systems in operation, including nearby Columbus, Indianapolis, and Cleveland. Others include: Boston, MA Houston, TX Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles, CA Miami, FL Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN New York, KY Pittsburgh, PA Richmond, VA San Francisco, CA

The study will help determine project costs which could be funded through federal, state, and local grants including sales tax revenues approved by Hamilton County voters in 2020.

Parking impacts will be evaluated in a later phase of BRT project development.

Any potential property acquisitions will be determined in the design phase of the BRT corridors.

The station locations will be chosen based on several factors including: · Existing ridership · Current and future land use · Activity and employment centers · Impact on traffic · Safety concerns · Community preferences

Initial service will be launched on two corridors. More corridors may be added in the future to create a regional BRT network.

Public engagement is a critical component of project development. There will be multiple opportunities to provide feedback, share ideas, and ask questions throughout the study. Public meetings are being held this fall (2022) in each of the four corridors. A survey is also being conducted to gather additional feedback on preferred destinations, travel needs, and other information that will help us evaluate the preferred corridors. In addition, we are offering presentations to Community Councils and other groups, upon request. A second round of public engagement will be conducted in early 2023 to review specific design options for the two selected corridors. Go to our Participate page to learn more.

The Reinventing Metro Plan identified four corridors as part of the BRT study: Glenway Avenue, Hamilton Avenue, Montgomery Road, and Reading Road. These four corridors are currently served by Metro’s most utilized routes; three carry well over one million riders per year. Each corridor traverses a US or state road with significant traffic and regional destinations. All routes serving these corridors also serve downtown, and two (Hamilton Avenue and Reading Road) serve the Uptown area and the University of Cincinnati. All four corridors also connect with Metro's crosstown route network. Maps of the routes are posted in the The Study section of our website.

As part of the overall Reinventing Metro Plan, SORTA’s BRT study began in Summer 2022 and is expected to conclude by Spring 2023 with the selection of two (2) of the four (4) potential corridors. At that point, the detailed design and engineering phase will begin, followed by construction. SORTA is targeting 2027 for the launch of its first BRT line.

All potential corridors will be evaluated using a variety of factors, including: Current and future ridership Economic development potential Cost Community and environmental impacts Traffic impacts Connectivity to other transit Constructability

Metro will continue to develop better transit services and facilities along those and other corridors that could include BRT in the future.

There may be changes to other transit routes, and potentially new service, to maximize connectivity of the BRT service.

BRT will be fully accessible for everyone. Station design will allow for level boarding, allowing easy access for people who walk and roll on and off the bus; no ramps, lifts or steps needed. State-of-the-art securement devices will make wheelchair docking simpler and easier. Visual and auditory announcements will provide next bus arrival information. In addition, stations will be designed to provide clear pathways for individuals to move.

Metro will start the driver recruitment process well before service is scheduled to begin.

Metro will operate the buses.

Once constructed, the BRT will enhance bicycle and pedestrian connectivity throughout the corridors to improve and support safe access to the BRT stations on both sides of the roadway. BRT buses will also accommodate bicycles.

The BRT study will develop preliminary ridership estimates.

The fare will be determined in a future phase of BRT development.

Yes. All BRT vehicles be ADA accessible.