Service Changes
Service changes may include modifications to frequency, schedules, trip times, routing or stop locations. COTA modifies service three times per year on the first Monday of January, May and September.
Here’s what’s new in January!
Line 71 now has an additional trip in the morning and the evening, providing more connections between Hilliard and Downtown Columbus.
Line 102 has a slight alignment change, along with new stops added in the Crosswoods area, to improve efficiency and access.
Tap to Pay is here! Now available on all fixed-route buses, customers can tap their smart devices or tap-enabled cards to ride COTA. Visit our Tap to Pay page to learn more about our newest, most efficient way to pay.
Minor adjustments to Lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 25, 45, 61, 71, 102, CMAX and SmartRide New Albany help improve on-time performance.
All January 2026 Service Changes
To view alignment changes and schedules, click the link under each Line’s summary.
1 Kenny/Livingston
Minor schedule adjustments on Sundays only.
Line 1 Schedule
2 E Main/N High
Minor schedule adjustments on Sundays only.
Line 2 Schedule
3 Northwest/Harrisburg
Minor schedule adjustments on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Line 3 Schedule
5 W 5th Ave/Refugee
Minor schedule adjustments on weekdays only.
Line 5 Schedule
25 Brice
Minor schedule adjustments on weekdays only.
Line 25 Schedule
45 New Albany
Minor schedule adjustments on weekdays only.
Line 45 Schedule
61 Grove City
Minor schedule adjustments on weekdays only.
Line 61 Schedule
71 Hilliard
One additional morning trip downtown and one additional evening trip from downtown, along with minor schedule adjustments on weekdays only.
Line 71 Schedule
102 Polaris Pkwy/N High
Alignment change and four new stops have been added to the Crosswoods area, along with minor schedule adjustments on weekdays only.
Line 102 Schedule
CMAX
Minor scheduled adjustments on weekdays only.
CMAX Schedule
Zoo Bus
Seasonal service ended on Oct. 31, 2025. The Zoo Bus will be back in May 2026 for more adventures.
SmartRide New Albany
Minor schedule adjustments on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Line 201 – SmartRide New Albany – Red Schedule
Line 202 – SmartRide New Albany – Blue Schedule
Public Meetings
To ensure all those within our communities have an opportunity to understand the decisions we make at COTA and provide input, we conduct several meetings throughout the year and encourage the public to attend. Meetings are held in person at COTA’s Downtown Office located at 33 N. High St. and online through Facebook Live .
Can’t make it? Submit feedback at COTA.com/contact to suggest how we can improve COTA’s service.
Public Meeting Dates for May 2026 Service Changes
| Date | Time | Meeting | Details |
| Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 | 6 p.m. | May 2026 Service Change Public Comment Meeting | |
| Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 | Noon | May 2026 Service Change Public Comment Meeting | |
| Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 6 p.m. | May 2026 Service Change Public Information Meeting | |
| Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | Noon | May 2026 Service Change Public Information Meeting |
Future Public Meetings
Public Meeting Dates for Service Changes Effective Sept. 7, 2026
- Comment Meeting 1: Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 6 p.m.
- Comment Meeting 2: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at noon
- Info Meeting 1: Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 6 p.m.
- Info Meeting 2: Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at noon
Public Meeting Dates for Service Changes Effective Jan. 4, 2027
- Comment Meeting 1: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at 6 p.m.
- Comment Meeting 2: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at noon
- Info Meeting 1: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, at 6 p.m.
- Info Meeting 2: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026, at noon
Share Feedback Through Surveys
COTA regularly solicits feedback from riders and the community alike outside of public meetings. Share your feedback at COTA.com/contact or take one of our active surveys.
PREVIOUS PUBLIC MEETINGS
Visit the links below to view recordings, presentation and transcripts from previous public comments and information meetings. These materials can be translated upon request.
January 2026 Meetings
| Date | Time | Meeting | Attend |
| Tuesday September 9, 2025 | 12PM | January 2026 Service Change Public Comment Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
| Thursday September 11, 2025 | 6PM | January 2026 Service Change Public Comment Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
| Thursday December 4, 2025 | 6PM | January 2026 Service Change Public Information Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
| Tuesday December 9, 2025 | 12PM | January 2026 Service Change Public Information Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
September 2025 Meetings
| Date | Time | Meeting | Attend |
| Wednesday May 14, 2025 | 6PM | September 2025 Service Change Public Comment Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
| Tuesday May 20, 2025 | 12PM | September 2025 Service Change Public Comment Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
| Thursday August 7, 2025 | 6PM | September 2025 Service Change Public Information Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
| Tuesday August 12, 2025 | 12PM | September 2025 Service Change Public Information Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
May 2025 Meetings
| Date | Time | Meeting | Attend |
| Thursday January 16, 2025 | 6PM | May 2025 Service Change Public Comment Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
| Tuesday January 21, 2025 | 12PM | May 2025 Service Change Public Comment Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
| Thursday April 10, 2025 | 6PM | May 2025 Service Change Public Information Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
| Tuesday April 15, 2024 | 12PM | May 2025 Service Change Public Information Meeting |
Presentation Recording |
January 2025 Meetings
| Date | Time | Meeting | Attend |
| Thursday September 12, 2024 | 6PM | January 2025 Service Change Public Comment Meeting |
Recording Presentation |
| Tuesday September 17, 2024 | 12PM | January 2025 Service Change Public Comment Meeting |
Recording Presentation |
| Thursday December 5, 2024 | 6PM | January 2025 Service Change Public Information Meeting |
Presentation Recording ( Transcript) |
| Tuesday December 10, 2024 | 12PM | January 2025 Service Change Public Information Meeting |
Presentation Recording ( Transcript) |