January 29Jan 29 33 minutes ago, ColDayMan said: COTA board approves funding to finalize design of first bus rapid transit line Columbus is one step closer to seeing its first bus rapid transit line outlined in the $8 billion LinkUs initiative. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/01/29/cota-west-broad-corridor-18m-design-completion.html Was hoping to see something about the old greyhound lot they purchased. I’m hoping they do something great in that location.
February 19Feb 19 Late Night Bus Service to Return in May Central Ohio Transit Authority buses will be running past midnight again this spring for the first time since before the pandemic. COTA made the announcement today at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. The daily “final line up” of buses Downtown, which is the last chance for riders to transfer between buses and the final run for Lines 1-11, 102 and the CMAX, will now be at midnight. The schedule of crosstown buses and lines that do not go through Downtown will also be adjusted to allow for transfers, with most buses reaching the end of their lines around 1 a.m. The new schedule will go into effect on May 5 and will apply to buses Monday through Saturday (Sunday hours will remain the same).
March 22Mar 22 COTA Makes its Pitch to Downtown’s Return-to-Office Workers Governor Mike DeWine’s executive order directing many of the state’s work-from-home employees back to the office went into effect on March 17, and other major Downtown employers have recently implemented similar policies, including American Electric Power. Earlier this year, the City of Columbus also announced a plan to move 350 Department of Public Utilities employees into renovated offices near the corner of Broad and High. As the return-to-office trend has accelerated, so have complaints from workers about increased traffic and the difficulty of finding parking, with many lots and garages upping their prices in response to the increased demand. The Central Ohio Transit Authority has a message for these workers – why not try riding the bus to work? More below: https://columbusunderground.com/cota-makes-its-pitch-to-downtowns-return-to-office-workers-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 2Apr 2 Sales tax now at 8% in Franklin County Sales tax is going up by half a percent starting Tuesday, April 1 in Franklin County and sections of four surrounding counties as a result of voters last fall approving a Central Ohio Transit Authority levy that will increase COTA's share of local sales tax by 0.5%, bringing its total share to 1%. The bump is to fund LinkUS, a plan to improve transit, build rapid bus lines and create more sidewalks and bike paths. COTA's sales tax applies within the COTA service area. This includes all of Franklin County but also where Dublin, Westerville, Columbus and Reynoldsburg dip into surrounding counties— Delaware, Licking, Fairfield and Union. Sales tax is a combination of state, county and local transit authority taxes. Currently, the state imposes a 5.75% sales tax on most sales and services. Starting April 1, the total sales tax in Franklin County will be 8%, including 1.25% for the county and 1% for COTA. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/04/01/central-ohio-sales-tax-increasing-tuesday-after-cota-levy-passed/82744327007/ Edited April 2Apr 2 by Luvcbus
April 16Apr 16 COTA to Study Feasibility of Eliminating Fares The Central Ohio Transit Authority is looking into the idea of eliminating fares on its buses. Earlier this week, the agency’s board approved spending up to $320,000 on a “No-Fare Feasibility Study,” to be performed by a California-based company called Four Nines Technologies. The study would look at the potential financial and operational impacts of implementing what the resolution called a “no-fare or partial no-fare system.” “A study does not guarantee any change to our fare structure, but we want to be informed about all the possible options,” said COTA spokesperson Jeff Pullin, who added that it’s an idea that comes up a lot from riders at public meetings. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/cota-to-study-feasibility-of-eliminating-fares-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 16Apr 16 1 hour ago, ColDayMan said: COTA to Study Feasibility of Eliminating Fares The Central Ohio Transit Authority is looking into the idea of eliminating fares on its buses. Earlier this week, the agency’s board approved spending up to $320,000 on a “No-Fare Feasibility Study,” to be performed by a California-based company called Four Nines Technologies. The study would look at the potential financial and operational impacts of implementing what the resolution called a “no-fare or partial no-fare system.” “A study does not guarantee any change to our fare structure, but we want to be informed about all the possible options,” said COTA spokesperson Jeff Pullin, who added that it’s an idea that comes up a lot from riders at public meetings. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/cota-to-study-feasibility-of-eliminating-fares-bw1/ That’s wasting $320k, money that could be used to actually improve service. Hopefully the “feasibility study” clearly articulates why going fare-free is a terrible idea. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
April 18Apr 18 On 4/16/2025 at 5:46 PM, ColDayMan said: COTA to Study Feasibility of Eliminating Fares The Central Ohio Transit Authority is looking into the idea of eliminating fares on its buses. Earlier this week, the agency’s board approved spending up to $320,000 on a “No-Fare Feasibility Study,” to be performed by a California-based company called Four Nines Technologies. The study would look at the potential financial and operational impacts of implementing what the resolution called a “no-fare or partial no-fare system.” “A study does not guarantee any change to our fare structure, but we want to be informed about all the possible options,” said COTA spokesperson Jeff Pullin, who added that it’s an idea that comes up a lot from riders at public meetings. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/cota-to-study-feasibility-of-eliminating-fares-bw1/ To me fare free only makes sense in a state that is a strong financial supporter of public transportation, Ohio is not that.
April 18Apr 18 1 hour ago, MyPhoneDead said: To me fare free only makes sense in a state that is a strong financial supporter of public transportation, Ohio is not that. Even in states / counties that do have good financial support for transit, fare free is almost always bad policy. There is a reason no best-in-class systems are fare-free. If you use that tax money to improve service instead, it is more effective in increasing transit usage. Frequency is much more important than cost to the vast majority of potential riders. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
May 6May 6 Late Night Bus Service ReturnsCentral Ohio Transit Authority buses will be running past midnight again this spring for the first time since before the pandemic. COTA made the announcement today at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting.“This is a vital investment in the people who keep our city running, ensuring they have reliable, affordable, and convenient mobility options that support their livelihoods and our economy,” said COTA President/CEO Monica Téllez-Fowler. “This expansion of service is thanks to the public investment in COTA through LinkUS and collaboration with the business community asking for this service to support their frontline teams.”The daily “final line up” of buses Downtown, which is the last chance for riders to transfer between buses and the final run for Lines 1-11, 102 and the CMAX, will now be at midnight. The schedule of crosstown buses and lines that do not go through Downtown will also be adjusted to allow for transfers, with most buses reaching the end of their lines around 1 a.m. The new schedule will go into effect on May 5 and will apply to buses Monday through Saturday (Sunday hours will remain the same).More below:https://columbusunderground.com/late-night-bus-service-to-return-in-may-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 9May 9 COTA launches late-night service, delivering more options for a growing regionCentral Ohio is stepping into a new era of growth, energy and possibility. With more businesses bringing employees back to the office and our region welcoming more residents each day, our transit system must evolve to not just keep pace but to lead the way.At the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), we believe public transit is more than a service. It’s the infrastructure of opportunity. It connects people to jobs, supports thriving local economies and reduces the barriers that keep communities apart.That’s why, this May, COTA is launching a wave of improvements designed to make our system more accessible, reliable and customer friendly. And we’re inviting you — whether you’re a long-time transit advocate or just rethinking your commute — to see what’s new.More below:https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/05/09/cota-launches-late-night-service-delivering-more.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
Yesterday at 02:12 AM1 day New COTA Route to Connect OSU, Upper Arlington, Hilliard and DublinThe Central Ohio Transit Agency wants to add a new bus route that would connect OSU campus and the Wexner Medical Center with destinations in Upper Arlington, Hilliard and Dublin. The new line has a number – 30 – but not yet a finalized route.An interactive map recently posted online by COTA shows a proposed route, although certain segments are shown with different possible route configurations. One terminus of the line will be the John Herrick Transit Center on campus (which is located just north of the medical center and south of Ohio Stadium), while the other will be the OSU Dublin Outpatient Clinic off of State Route 33.A public meeting to provide more information and get feedback on the proposed route is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, at the Bob Crane Community Center in Upper Arlington.More below:https://columbusunderground.com/new-cota-route-to-connect-osu-upper-arlington-hilliard-and-dublin-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
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