Advertising Services

INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW METRO Regional Transit Authority (METRO) is seeking outside advertising firm(s) to sell and maintain digital and print signage in and on our fleet of revenue vehicles, as well as the potential for future external digital signage. The vehicles range in size from 23.6’ to 65’. Advertisement options range from printed interior overhead signage, interior digital signage and complete vehicles wraps. Vendors are encouraged to propose advertising for the transit agency’s locations and small businesses as well as larger clients. METRO is seeking a high-quality advertising program for our agency. We are seeking an agency that will help maximize the revenue paid to the agency. The Contractor will work with the current in-house advertising sales manager to transition accounts to them and address space and billing logistics. METRO provides transit service throughout Summit County in northeast Ohio and Express service between the cities of Akron and Cleveland. The 2024 population of METRO's service area is 538,370 (US Census Bureau). METRO established transit service in 1969. It directly operates a network of 24 fixed routes. Service is provided seven (7) days a week. METRO also offers an express commuter service known as Northcoast Express, to and from Cleveland. This service is operated during peak hours from 6:50 am to 7:20 pm. METRO operates a fleet of 225 revenue vehicles. METRO’s fleet consists of 133 standard 35, 40, and 60-foot transit buses and 92 smaller paratransit vehicles. Space for advertising is available on all METRO revenue vehicles. The interior of the full size buses has overhead areas that are dedicated to advertisement inserts as well as interior digital displays, for which access is managed internally by METRO. The exterior of the full size buses offers both sides, including the window area and the rear of the vehicle (taillight area), with certain restrictions. No signage can be placed on the front of the buses due to manufacturer design, however full advertisement wraps are permitted, with certain restrictions. The inside passenger area of the paratransit vehicles are not equipped with sign holders, but vinyl decal type removable signage may be installed. METRO’s average annual advertising sales over the last five years can be found here: 2021 - 222,915.69 2022- 215,248.35 2023- 263,398.19 2024- 228,004.22 2025- 208,483.40