Metropolitan Evansville Transit System
Encyclopedia
Metropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) is a public transit system consisting primarily of bus service in the city of Evansville, Indiana
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Over the years, METS has made many adjustments to its service, larger buses were purchased, new routes were added, and vintage trolley service was established in the downtown area, but it was in 1998 that major changes were made. Several routes expanded service to every 30 minutes, and METS instituted night service that allowed the Buses to run until midnight on heavily traveled routes. In addition METS added service outside the city limits to the University of Southern Indiana
just west of Evansville and expanded further east past Burkhart Road. In 1998 METS also established a connection service on the far east and west, with the West Connection being fixed route and primarily used for students at the University of Southern Indiana
, and the East Connection which provides curb service and connects to other buses at the Eastland Mall and Lawndale transfer points.
and mobility/para-transit service. Despite the 1998 changes, METS service is still limited; buses do not run on Sundays. In addition, no direct bus service exists between Evansville and neighboring Henderson, Kentucky
(served by sister agency Henderson Area Rapid Transit), though a recent survey by HART indicated this was the #1 most desired feature by that agency's ridership. METS now meets up with WATS buses for connecting service to Newburgh, Booneville, and Chandler. METS also operates several hybrid-electric transit buses and was the first in the state of Indiana to operate them in revenue service.
Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
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History
The Metropolitan Evansville Transit System was created in 1971 to address Evansville's growing need for public transportation. Service was limited to the actual city limits; buses ran only once an hour and generally did not run past 6:00 pm.Over the years, METS has made many adjustments to its service, larger buses were purchased, new routes were added, and vintage trolley service was established in the downtown area, but it was in 1998 that major changes were made. Several routes expanded service to every 30 minutes, and METS instituted night service that allowed the Buses to run until midnight on heavily traveled routes. In addition METS added service outside the city limits to the University of Southern Indiana
University of Southern Indiana
The University of Southern Indiana is a public university in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. This publicly funded institution has been among the fastest growingcomprehensive state universities in Indiana. Record fall enrollment in 2010 reached 10,702...
just west of Evansville and expanded further east past Burkhart Road. In 1998 METS also established a connection service on the far east and west, with the West Connection being fixed route and primarily used for students at the University of Southern Indiana
University of Southern Indiana
The University of Southern Indiana is a public university in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. This publicly funded institution has been among the fastest growingcomprehensive state universities in Indiana. Record fall enrollment in 2010 reached 10,702...
, and the East Connection which provides curb service and connects to other buses at the Eastland Mall and Lawndale transfer points.
Current Service
METS currently operates 22 fixed city routes and two intercity connection routes. They also run the campus shuttle at the University of Southern IndianaUniversity of Southern Indiana
The University of Southern Indiana is a public university in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. This publicly funded institution has been among the fastest growingcomprehensive state universities in Indiana. Record fall enrollment in 2010 reached 10,702...
and mobility/para-transit service. Despite the 1998 changes, METS service is still limited; buses do not run on Sundays. In addition, no direct bus service exists between Evansville and neighboring Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson is a city in Henderson County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River in the western part of the state. The population was 27,952 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Evansville Metropolitan Area often referred to as "Kentuckiana", although "Tri-State Area" or "Tri-State" are more...
(served by sister agency Henderson Area Rapid Transit), though a recent survey by HART indicated this was the #1 most desired feature by that agency's ridership. METS now meets up with WATS buses for connecting service to Newburgh, Booneville, and Chandler. METS also operates several hybrid-electric transit buses and was the first in the state of Indiana to operate them in revenue service.
Routes
- Covert Ave
- East Connection
- First Ave/North Park
- Fulton
- Howell
- Lincoln
- Oakhill/Lynch
- Mary/Tekoppel
- North Main Trolley
- Riverside
- Shopper Shuttle
- Stringtown
- Walnut
- Washington
- West Connection
- Red Line (USI Campus Shuttle)
- Blue Line (USI Campus Shuttle)
- Mary/Howell (Night Service Only)
- Kentucky