News & Updates

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COTA Announces 9% Increase in Mid-Year Bus Ridership, Driven By Service Expansion, Shifting Commuter Trends

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) today announced a significant increase in fixed-route bus ridership during the first half of 2025, reflecting growing community reliance on public transit. From January through June 2025, COTA recorded 6,040,121 fixed-route bus rides, a 9% increase over the same period in 2024, when ridership totaled 5,534,656. One of the […]

Jul 23, 2025
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COTA Ready to Transport Thousands of Customers During Annual Red, White and Boom Celebration July 3

Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will operate extra buses and late-night service to coincide with Red White & BOOM! on July 3, helping revelers get to downtown Columbus and home safely and efficiently while enjoying the celebration. COTA will also have full access to High Street during the festivities, while general traffic will not, which […]

Jun 30, 2025
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COTA ANNOUNCES NO FARES FOR JUNE 22-24 AFTER NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES HEAT ADVISORY

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will suspend fares system-wide for Sunday, June 22 through Tuesday, June 24 due to the National Weather Service Forecast Office issuing a Heat Advisory in Franklin County. COTA suspends fares on all transit vehicles on all routes in the event the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Wilmington, Ohio […]

Jun 22, 2025
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COTA Seeks Community Feedback on Proposed New Bus Line Connecting Dublin, Hilliard, Upper Arlington and Ohio State

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is inviting the public to a community meeting and workshop to provide input on a proposed new bus line that would better connect Dublin, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, and The Ohio State University. The proposed COTA Line 30 is part of COTA’s ongoing commitment to expand public transit options through […]

Jun 17, 2025
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COTA to Operate Holiday Service Thursday in Recognition of Juneteenth

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will operate Holiday Service on Thursday, June 19, in recognition of Juneteenth. Operating on Holiday Service hours will allow many of our employees to take the time to celebrate with their families and friends. When COTA operates Holiday Service, transit lines operate on their Sunday schedules. Juneteenth celebrates the […]

Jun 17, 2025
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COTA BELIEVE Team to Host Second of Four Produce Giveaways June 18 at Livingston and Barnett Park and Ride

The Central Ohio Transit Authority’s (COTA) African American Employee Resource Group (ERG) will host the second of four “COTA Produce Stand” food distribution events on Wednesday, June 18, beginning at 3 p.m. at the COTA Livingston & Barnett Park and Ride, located at 3380 E. Livingston Ave. in East Columbus. Fresh fruit and vegetables will […]

Jun 17, 2025
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your ride to pride

Ride with Pride: Take COTA to Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March; Reroutes Planned for Saturday

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is proud to support the transportation needs of the thousands attending the Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March events, taking place from June 13 to 15. The first Columbus PRIDE march was held in 1982. Today, the Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March welcome more than 700,000 visitors to […]

Jun 12, 2025
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Take COTA to the Columbus Arts Festival this Weekend

Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is getting ready for a busy weekend as the Columbus Arts Festival returns downtown. The 2025 Columbus Arts Festival takes place June 6-8 along the Scioto Mile, Rich, and Main Street bridges, and in front of COSI. Festival patrons can explore the best transit routes to get to the festival […]

Jun 4, 2025
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COTA’s Board of Trustees Elects New Leadership, Welcomes Four New Members to the Board

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Board of Trustees unanimously elected two new leaders and welcomed four new members during the board’s annual meeting on May 21. Trustees elected Sean Mentel as chair and Trudy Bartley as vice chair. Jay Deis, Mallory Donaldson, Stephen Sayre, and Matt Starr have also been sworn in to COTA’s […]

Jun 2, 2025
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