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How to Ride COTA
 Central Ohio’s Transit Authority (COTA) provides public transportation services in the Columbus Metropolitan Area. COTA fixed-route buses and paratransit services run 365 days a year. Times vary depending on the route and day of the week.
Riding a COTA Fixed-Route Bus
When riding COTA, it is important to know your route, departure time and location, and destination. The time points listed on each schedule are departure times from major stops along the route. If the time for your stop is not listed on the timetable, use the time points given to estimate the departure time from your stop. If you have questions about routes and schedules, send an e-mail to requests@cota.com or call the COTA Connection Customer Service Center at (614) 228-1776, Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. and Sat. - Sun., 8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Please make sure you arrive at your bus stop a few minutes before your bus is scheduled to leave. All COTA bus stops are clearly marked with signs saying either “COTA Stop,” or “Bus Stop.” Several buses may stop at your COTA bus stop. To make sure you get on the correct COTA bus, check the sign above the front windshield. The route number and destination of the bus and/or the major street(s) that the route travels will guide you.
When boarding a COTA bus, you can either pay your fare in the farebox or “swipe” your pass in the designated area on the farebox. Neither COTA bus operators nor fareboxes provide change, so please have exact fare in bills and/or coins. If you will be transferring to another route to reach your destination, please ask the bus operator for a transfer before you pay your fare. Transfers are free and are valid for 2 hours and 30 minutes from the time of issue and may not be used to “double back” to your point of origin.
When your bus is approaching your stop, either push the yellow strip or pull the cord located by the window near your seat. A bell will ring, signifying to the bus operator that someone has requested a stop. When the bus stops, please exit through the back door.
Fixed-Route Service for People with Disabilities
The International Accessibility Symbol appears on the front and sides of COTA buses that are accessible for mobility devices including wheelchairs and three-wheeled scooters. COTA bus operators are trained and ready to help secure your mobility device on the bus. All COTA buses have a “kneeling function,” which lowers the front of the bus to make boarding easier for those who have difficulty using stairs. The bus operator can activate this function upon request. |
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