Ride the Cincinnati Bell Connector for Free on Opening Weekend

Activities, discounts, specials: riverfront, downtown, Over-the-Rhine

CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bell Connector will begin service to the public at noon on Friday, Sept. 9, when the first streetcar returns from its inaugural loop as part of the dedication ceremony.  Service will operate until 1 a.m. on Friday; from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday; and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday. 

Rides will be free the entire weekend, thanks to the generous support of Believe in Cincinnati, CAF USA, Cincinnati Bell, Fred Craig, The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr./US Bank Foundation, and the Joseph Automotive Group.

Riding the Cincinnati Bell Connector will be the highlight of the Sept. 9-11 grand opening weekend, but there will be many other things to do from the riverfront, to downtown and OTR, including the following:

• Free rides on Carol Ann’s Carousel all weekend, thanks to the Haile Foundation and Cincinnati Park Board
• ArtsWave Sunday at Washington Park, noon to 5 p.m., featuring performances by many local arts organizations
• ArtWorks chalk art and a self-guided ArtWorks mural tour near many stations
• Cheese Festival at Smale Riverfront Park, Cincy Beer Fest on Fountain Square, and Second Sunday on Main in OTR
• Buy one, get one free admission: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Reds Hall of Fame & Museum
• Mascots on Main on Saturday from noon-4 p.m., at Main Street streetcar stations
• Public Library exhibit and talks about streetcar history
• Streetcar items for sale:  Graeter’s streetcar sundae, Taste of Belgium streetcar cookies, Rookwood Pottery streetcar coasters, Cincy Shirts
• Streetcar specials and discounts at hotels, stores, restaurants, bars along the route

For a complete list of activities, see this PDF.

Metro Streetcar Circulator

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority will operate free Metro bus circulator service during the grand opening weekend for the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar, Sept. 9-11.  The Metro circulator will be free to the public and will stop at specially marked bus stops near streetcar stations to handle overflow from the streetcar service.

To give everyone the chance to ride, people may be asked to get off the streetcar at Station 1 The Banks or Station 8 Washington Park during busy times. Those who deboard may board the free Metro Streetcar Circulator to continue along the route or wait for the next streetcar.