COTA’s Short-Range Transit Plan
Explore the insights, data and tools that guide our decisions and see how COTA is planning for the next chapter of mobility.
COTA’s 2027-2031 Short-Range Transit Plan
The 2027-2031 Short-Range Transit Plan highlights opportunities for smarter service, better connections and a transit system that meets the needs of our growing region.
COTA’s SRTP was completed in July 2026. The effort included analyzing Central Ohio’s market for public transportation, its current services and service alternatives that explore different strategies for investment in COTA’s system. These analyses and alternatives — along with feedback from riders and other key stakeholders — will inform service and capital investments through 2031.
The plan includes written report sections and interactive dashboards. View both below.
Read the 2027-2031 Short-Range Transit Plan
Our Approach
We take a multi-pronged approach to evaluate our service:
- We hold meetings with customers, residents, Team COTA, municipalities and stakeholders
- Planners and schedulers leverage data to provide insights into how COTA’s system operates and serves our community
- We collaboratively review our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
Why It Matters
The SRTP serves as a vital tool to:
- Assess our current operations
- Improve service for our customers
- Describe future transit enhancements
- Prioritize expenditures, service and funding to serve Central Ohio’s mobility needs
- Reinforce capital project priorities
Explore the 2027-2031 Short-Range Transit Plan Dashboards
This dashboard brings together data and maps to help you explore transit needs and services across Central Ohio. You can see how population, jobs, travel patterns, and existing COTA services come together to show where transit plays a role today and where there may be opportunities for the future.
Market Analysis
The Market Analysis takes an in-depth look at the market for public transit in our community.
Service Analysis
The Service Analysis explores how COTA’s existing services meet that demand.
Public Engagement
Public Engagement will highlight what we heard from riders, residents and community partners and how their input is shaping the future of COTA service.
Service Recommendations
Service Proposals will bring together data and community feedback to outline potential improvements and priorities for future COTA service.
Short-Range Transit Plan 2027–2031 Project Timeline
What Happens Next?
SRTP sets the vision for how COTA’s service will change and grow over the next five years, but service recommendations are not set in stone. COTA staff continuously engage with community feedback and performance and market data. Staff adjust how recommendations are implemented based on what we learn.
Changes are not rolled out all at once but happen over 5 years during regularly scheduled service changes. COTA makes service changes three times per year on the first Monday of January, May and September. Each service change includes a robust public process where COTA engages and informs riders. To learn more about how to get involved with COTA’s service change process, visit COTA’s Service Changes web page.
Finally, to stay relevant and responsive to community needs, the SRTP is updated every 2 years. The current 2027-2031 SRTP will be updated again in 2028.
COTA’s SRTP is part of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) process. Both the SRTP and TIP are updated every 2 years. You can learn more about the TIP process on MORPC’s website.
COTA’s SRTP is part of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) process. Both the SRTP and TIP are updated every 2 years. You can learn more about the TIP process on MORPC’s website.