MetroNow! expansion brings on-demand transit to more Cincinnati neighborhoods

MetroNow! is expanding into the Bond Hill and Roselawn area as Cincinnati Metro adds another zone to its on-demand transit network.

The new service connects residents in several Cincinnati neighborhoods with flexible trips that can link to Metro’s regular bus routes.

Metro’s 2026 Short Range Transit Plan identified Bond Hill as one of two new MetroNow! zones planned for the year.

The Bond Hill/Roselawn zone is part of Metro’s broader effort to provide transportation in areas where traditional fixed-route service may not meet every local travel need. Metro describes MetroNow! as an on-demand service for areas with limited public transportation options. Riders can request trips through the MetroNow! app or by calling Metro.

MetroNow! adds Bond Hill and Roselawn service

The new MetroNow! zone covers nine communities under Metro’s current planning documents. Those communities include Arlington Heights, Bond Hill, Carthage, Elmwood Place, Lockland, North Avondale, Roselawn, St. Bernard and Winton Hills.

The expansion also gives riders connections to several existing Metro routes. Metro’s plan identifies 10 routes serving connections to the Bond Hill zone.

Those routes include:

• 14X
• 16
• 27
• 41
• 43
• 46
• 47
• 53
• 61
• 78

The connections are designed to help riders reach the wider Metro network. Metro said the zone will also connect with the planned Reading Road Bus Rapid Transit project in 2028.

Metro’s current route information shows regular service already operating through several of the communities included in the new zone. Route 43 serves Downtown, Avondale, Bond Hill, Roselawn, Reading and Evendale. Route 78 connects Downtown with St. Bernard, Elmwood Place, Carthage, Lockland, Wyoming and other communities.

The new MetroNow! service therefore adds an on-demand option alongside existing fixed-route transportation.

How MetroNow! works

MetroNow! works differently from a traditional city bus. Riders do not wait at a fixed stop for a scheduled bus. Instead, they request a trip through the MetroNow! On Demand app or by calling 513-551-5555.

Metro offers two pickup options. Riders can select “Less Waiting” for corner-to-corner service or “Less Walking” for curb-to-curb service.

The corner-to-corner option can provide a faster pickup when riders can walk to a nearby designated location. The curb-to-curb option is intended for riders who need less walking, including people who use mobility aids.

MetroNow! vehicles can carry eight seated passengers. Each vehicle also has space for two passengers who use mobility aids.

Riders must schedule their trips before boarding. Metro says passengers cannot simply flag down a MetroNow! vehicle operating in the area.

The service also differs from Metro’s Access paratransit program. Access serves eligible riders with disabilities who cannot use Metro’s fixed-route buses. MetroNow! provides a broader on-demand option for the general public.

MetroNow! fare remains $2.50

MetroNow! currently costs $2.50 per ride. Metro lists service hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

MetroNow! has its own fare structure. Regular Metro fixed-route passes do not cover the $2.50 MetroNow! fare, according to Metro’s current rider information.

The service also has specific rules for children. Children shorter than 55 inches can ride free with a paying adult, with a limit of two children per paying adult. Children taller than 55 inches pay the full fare.

Metro requires riders to provide car seats when applicable under local law. The agency says some MetroNow! vehicle seats include hooks for child safety seats.

The MetroNow! app is available in English and Spanish. Riders who need wheelchair space can indicate that requirement in their account settings.

MetroNow! expansion follows earlier launches

MetroNow! launched in 2023 as a pilot program serving Springdale and Sharonville. Metro later expanded the service into the Northgate and Mount Healthy area.

WCPO reported in 2023 that Metro created MetroNow! to serve communities where traditional bus service could be difficult because of population density or street infrastructure. The service allowed riders to request trips within designated zones for a separate fare.

WLWT also reported in 2024 that Metro continued expanding existing MetroNow! zones. That expansion extended service in the Northgate/Mt. Healthy and Springdale/Sharonville areas while adding service hours.

Metro’s 2026 planning documents show that the agency has continued expanding the program. The plan identified Monfort Heights and Bond Hill as the fifth and sixth MetroNow! zones planned for 2026.

The Cincinnati Exchange previously reported on other regional transportation developments, including Duke Energy’s Cincinnati power restoration efforts and other infrastructure issues affecting local residents. The latest MetroNow! expansion adds another transportation option for Cincinnati neighborhoods.

Bond Hill expansion connects to future transit plans

The Bond Hill/Roselawn zone also fits into Metro’s longer-term plans for Cincinnati transportation. Metro’s 2026 plan says the zone will eventually connect with the Reading Road Bus Rapid Transit project.

Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, uses dedicated infrastructure and other features to provide faster and more reliable service than conventional local buses. Metro’s planning documents identify the Reading Road corridor for BRT service in 2028.

The Bond Hill zone will therefore provide connections between on-demand trips and existing bus routes while Metro works toward future high-capacity transit improvements.

Metro’s official route information also shows substantial fixed-route service already operating in the area. Routes 43 and 78 provide connections through Bond Hill, Roselawn, St. Bernard, Carthage, Elmwood Place and surrounding communities.

The MetroNow! model gives riders another way to reach those established routes. It can be especially useful for short trips within the designated service zone or for connecting with a regular Metro bus.

Metro says the first six MetroNow! zones were selected using community input and data analysis. The agency also says additional zones could be added during future phases.

The current six-zone plan includes Blue Ash/Montgomery, Monfort Heights/Finneytown, Northgate/Mt. Healthy, Forest Park/Pleasant Run, Springdale/Sharonville and Bond Hill/Roselawn.

The expansion marks another step in Metro’s effort to combine fixed-route buses with flexible, on-demand transportation across the Cincinnati region.