By: Matt Lindley

Cincinnati’s Metro opened two new bus shelters for its Metro*Plus transit this week at the intersection of Dana Ave. and Woodburn Ave.

Metro*Plus is a Cincinnati transit that provides direct, limited-stop service from Kenwood to Uptown to Downtown and the Banks, perfect for XU and UC students and any who want to get downtown in less time with fewer stops.

Cincinnati’s Metro began the Metro*Plus transit system this past August, and provided nearly 25,000 rides in its first full month of service.

Metro ridership development manager Kim Lahman and coworker Dave Etienne distributed information and answered questions to passersby this past Tuesday.

“Our job is to be the face of Metro and listen to the people as far as bus service goes,” Lahman said.

Lahman explained that the bus shelters would provide students with more adequate bus service and allow for easier access to bus schedules.

Etienne explained that an electronic screen would be added soon to the inside of the shelters that lists the following bus times for those waiting for the next bus.

In addition to the Metro*Plus transit that stops at the intersection of Dana Ave. and Woodburn Ave, the Metro*Plus features stops in communities and major destinations along the way, where a person can easily transfer to many other Metro routes.

Currently, Xavier students also have access to Metro routes 4, 31, and 51, giving them access to locations all across Cincinnati, and even more routes if transferred at a different location.

Signs have been placed to specifically indicate which stops are Metro*Plus, making it easier to identify Metro*Plus stops.

The Metro*Plus buses run every 15 minutes on weekdays from 6 a.m. to  6 p.m. and every 30 minutes weekdays 6 p.m. to 10 p.m, with a fare of $1.75 in Zone 1 and a fare of $2.65 in Zone 2.

To find out the most current Metro or Metro*Plus bus schedules, go to http://www.go-metro.com and click on Maps and Schedules under the Riding Metro tab.