Celebrate 50 years of the Cincinnati Metro with an exhibit at the Downtown library

In the 1970s, Cincinnati won two World Series titles, elected its first African American mayor—and voted to create the Metro system.  

Fifty years after its establishment on Aug. 15, 1973, the city’s white Metro buses provide close to 10 million rides per year. Metro will celebrate its anniversary in August with a month-long “50 Years of Metro” exhibition at Cincinnati-Hamilton Public Library’s Downtown branch. 

Metro partnered with the library and the Cincinnati Transit Historical Association to present the exhibit, which includes maps, passes, uniforms and more artifacts from the past half-century of Metro history.  

Metro CEO and General Manager Darryl Haley said in a press release that the exhibit, which will be on display between Aug. 7 and Sept. 7, was “one-of-a-kind.” 

“As we move into our second half-century of service, it’s important to look back and take stock of how far we’ve come,” Haley said. 

Metro will also host a Birthday Bash event on Aug. 15 at Fountain Square featuring live music by 2nd Wind Band, food trucks, circus performers and more family-friendly activities.