Public Transportation in Cincinnati

Cincinnati’s public transportation system is notoriously slow. For example, it would take upwards of thirty minutes to get to Saint Ursula from my house, which is only 3 miles away. As much as I would like to take the bus, the convenience of a 7 minute car ride wins out over a 30 minute trip on the bus. Most busses only run every hour, meaning that if you miss your bus you will be stranded for a while. There is also a serious lack of easily accessible bus stops in most parts of the Greater Cincinnati area. Most busses really only accommodate passengers going to downtown Cincinnati. As one can see, Cincinnati’s public transportation system leaves much to be desired and is not a viable transportation option for most Cincinnatians. Improving the metro system in Cincinnati would benefit and improve the city as a whole in many ways.

For example, as it stands, people without the financial resources to afford a car are practically unable to get around Cincinnati. This means they cannot get to their jobs on time, or at all, which prevents them from earning enough money to afford a car. Or even if they can ride the bus to work, the irregularity of the bus might cause them to often be late and thus get fired from their job. The flaws in Cincinnati’s metro system only further perpetuate the poverty cycle, making it nearly impossible to escape. Having a more reliable and efficient public transportation system, traveling and living in Cincinnati would be much simpler. For one, it would reduce traffic, as fewer people would be driving individual cars. It would also allow people who can’t drive or don’t have their own car to still be able to get around the city. This means that people who don’t have their licenses yet could still have some autonomy and get around by themselves. This also means that people who cannot afford a car could still travel around the city.

Furthermore, the use of private vehicles is the largest contributor to a households carbon footprint. The typical passenger vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Every gallon of gasoline burned creates about 8,887 grams of CO2. An improved public transportation system would massively benefit the environment. If Cincinnati had a viable public transit option, the amount of carbon emissions from private vehicles would decrease drastically.

Luckily, organizations working to improve the metro system in Cincinnati already exist, such as the Better Bus Coalition. This organization describes themselves as “a grassroots organization supporting investment in Hamilton County's bus system.” You can support them by donating to them, or joining their cause. To learn more about the Better Bus Coalition, follow the link below.

https://betterbuscoalition.org/

In conclusion, improving Cincinnati’s public transportation would better the city and the lives of those living in it. Not only would it benefit the citizens of Cincinnati, it would also help the environment. Additionally, your friends and siblings that can’t drive wouldn’t need you to give them rides all the time! In summary, Cincinnati needs a better transportation system to better the city, the lives of its citizens, and the climate.