COTA WILL CONTINUE TO WAIVE ALL FARES THROUGH INDEPENDENCE DAY DUE TO ONGOING HEAT WAVE
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will extend free fares system-wide through Saturday, July 4, due to the National Weather Service issuing another heat advisory.
COTA fares are currently waived due to the current Extreme Heat Warning, so this will now continue through Saturday. This includes Red, White and Boom, which provides local and standard line service until midnight this evening and all day Saturday when COTA operates holiday service. Holiday service means all bus lines operate on Sunday schedules.
COTA suspends fares on all transit vehicles on all routes in the event the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Wilmington, Ohio, issues either heat or cold advisories or warnings due to extreme temperatures.
A Heat Advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. An advisory is generally issued when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to reach 100°F or higher for at least 2 days, and nighttime air temperatures will not drop below 75°F.
COTA offers this community service to provide those who need to reduce exposure to extreme temperatures with a safe, reliable means of transportation to facilities that provide relief, including warming and cooling centers, libraries, recreation centers, and other places of shelter.
The no-fare policy will be in effect for the entire service day on the date listed above. The policy includes all transit vehicles, including fixed-route (buses), Mainstream, and COTA//Plus. Customers can plan their trips at COTA.com, using the Transit app, or by calling the COTA Customer Care Center at 614-228-1776. Customer Care will be open during regular business hours.
