Metro bus service is provided free for students in grades 7-12 using the CPS Smart Card bus pass on regularly scheduled routes. 

• Metro Smart Card Passes are to be picked up from your students' respective school
• Metro Bus Routes and Schedules for CPS high schools

The Pupil Transportation Branch actively supports the Cincinnati Public Schools' Positive School Culture Plan and district Code of Conduct.

Pupil behavior that distracts the Yellow school bus or Metro bus driver is hard (edit) to the safe operation of the bus and jeopardizes the safety and welfare of all passengers. Misbehavior while on the yellow school or Metro bus can result in suspension of the student or the transportation services for the student.

All buses are equipped with video camera equipment to assist in monitoring student behavior. To ensure safe, efficient transportation service, students are asked to follow these rules:

• Pupils should arrive at bus stops before the buses are scheduled to arrive.
• Pupils must wait in locations clear of traffic and away from the bus stops.
• Behavior at school bus stops must not threaten life, limb or property of any individual.
• Pupils must go directly to available or assigned seats so the buses may safely resume motion.
• Pupils must remain seated, keeping aisles and exits clear.
• Pupils must observe classroom conduct and obey the drivers promptly and respectfully.
• Pupils must not use profane language
• Pupils must refrain from eating and drinking on buses, except as required for medical reasons.
• Pupils must not use tobacco or any other smoking agents on buses.
• Pupils may not have alcohol or drugs in their possession, except for required prescription medication
• Pupils must not throw or pass objects on, from or into buses.
• Pupils may carry on the bus only objects that can be held in their laps.
• Pupils must board or leave at assigned locations, unless they have parental and administrative authorization to do otherwise.
• Pupils must not put heads, arms or legs outside of bus windows.

CPS Access Pupil Transportation Office. 2651 Burnet Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45219  513-363-RIDE [7433].

Students and families can access the new Metro Bus schedule to determine the best routes to and from school utilizing Metro's Transit mobile app. 

• Access the Trip Planner — this will take you directly to the Metro page that links to the Transit app and to Google Maps.
• You can download the Transit App directly through the Google Play and Apple stores.
• There are many transit apps available, so please be sure to download the app with this icon. 

If you have any questions about routing, please call Metro's Customer Care Center, (513) 632-7575.

Requesting Metro Passes for Young Children

Transportation inquiry form

Parents may request permission for a child younger than 7th grade to receive a Metro bus pass so the child can ride a Metro bus to school with an older sibling.

Metro Bus service for Cincinnati Public Schools' students, and students in the district's non-public and charter schools, begins on the first day of school.

Students will receive a postcard in the mail prior to the first day of school that will allow them a free ride to school on the first day.

If student enrollment data is correct at the schools, students will receive new Metro Smart Card passes at school in time for the ride home on the first day. Smart Card passes can be picked up and signed for only by the student at the student's school. These Smart Card passes are to be used to and from school only.

If a student forgets his/her Metro Smart Card pass, or has used the two rides per day allowed, payment of a regular bus fare is required upon boarding the bus.

Metro Transfers

Some students who ride Metro buses to and from school may have to transfer buses to reach their destination. Students do not pay for transfers. When a student gets on the next bus, the student again taps the Smart Card pass on the fare box's target area.

If you need bus route information, to report a fight or incident, or need a replacement pass, please use the form below.

transportation inquiry form

If there is a fight or incident on the bus: Call CPS Transportation 513-363-RIDE(7433) and follow your normal student code of conduct and SRO procedures.

In case of lost students, school or parents contact CPS Transportation 513-363-RIDE(7433). 

For lost items, call the Metro lost and found at 513-632-7699

For Students

Please let your Metro driver know if:

• You are lost.
• You miss your stop.
• Someone is bothering or threatening you.
• You feel sick or need medical help.
• Your driver can call for help.