QUESTION: How many Metro buses are on the roads at peak times? How far from the city do they travel? How many miles do Metro buses travel a day? How many bus routes are there? How many people ride the bus? - Brother Linus, Border, OFM, St. Bernard

        ANSWER: Metro spokeswoman Sallie Hilvers pulled out her calculator and crunched the numbers based on a busy weekday with schools in session. On such a day, 359 of Metro's 426 buses are in operation at peak hours serving 50 routes, plus school routes and special routes, which vary. There are about 90,000 riders a day and bus odometers add an average of 47,120 miles. The farthest Metro route is to Paramount's Kings Island in Warren County — 29.8 miles, one way. Other routes come close: Amelia, 26 miles; West Chester, 23.6 miles, and Harrison, 23.1 miles.

        Q. There is a traffic light in the 5300 block of River Road at the entrance to two companies serviced by many large trucks. I assume that the light allows occasional exit from the driveways of these two companies and functions on demand. That's fine. However, the light must be malfunctioning because it works on normal cycle day and night, stopping traffic even when companies are closed. Why? - Chris Bracke, Delhi Township

        A. Cincinnati Traffic Engineer Steve Bailey said there are several signals along River Road serving companies south of the road and the railroad tracks that parallel it. Most of those access roads are used by heavy trucks that tear up pavement faster than usual. When pavement is damaged, so are the sensors in the pavement that regulate the light. Once sensors are damaged, the signal reverts to a 24-hour timing sequence. The problem has become so chronic the city intends to experiment with some roadside above-ground sensors. They should be installed within three months, Mr. Bailey said.

        You Asked For It answers questions about regional history, government, schools and roads. E-mail wschaefer@enquirer.com. Include name, neighborhood and phone.
       

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