Cincinnati School District Shifts Students to Public Transit to Cut Costs

Over 10,000 Cincinnati Public Schools students already use public buses for school transportation each year.

1 minute read

June 24, 2025, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Cincinnati publiv bus with orange front.

A Cincinnati Metro bus. | SORTA-METRO / Cincinnati Metro

Cincinnati school officials will start relying on the city’s public transit system in lieu of school buses for roughly 1,200 middle schoolers, reports Bebe Hodges in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

As Hodges explains, “The cost-cutting measure comes as the district works this month to bridge a roughly $50 million budget gap between the current fiscal year and the upcoming one before the June 30 deadline. That gap was prompted by a decrease in government funds, and not, according to the district, due to overspending.”

The district, where roughly 10,500 students rode Metro buses to school last school year, is working with Metro to ensure the safety of students. “If students have any issues while riding, Jones said, they are encouraged to notify the bus operator, who will address the concern or call for assistance.”

Thursday, June 19, 2025 in Cincinnati Enquirer

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