About Us
The Central Ohio Transit Authority is the regional public transit provider for greater Columbus and Central Ohio. With a service area of 1.2 million residents, COTA provides nearly 19 million passenger trips annually.
In 2018, COTA received the Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award from the American Public Transportation Association.
Our Vision
COTA will be the region’s transportation leader.
Our Mission
COTA is committed to excellence in serving our stakeholders – customers, employees and taxpayers. We will deliver quality transportation services and conduct business courteously, safely, ethically and reliably. We will demonstrate leadership that is fiscally responsible and environmentally conscientious.
18, 913, 789
Total Rides in 2018
43 Routes
562 square mile service area
Over 1,150
COTA Employees
291, 455
Mainstream trips in 2018
Customer Service. Overall Satisfaction: 91%; Courtesy of Bus Operators: 93%; Likelihood to Recommend COTA Services: 94%; Overall System Comparison Satisfaction: COTA 91%, LA Metro 2018 91%, Sound Transit (Seattle) 2017 87%, Valley Metro (Phoenix) 2016 79%, TriMet (Portland) 2017 73%. *Unaudited 2018 financial data provided by Central Ohio Transit Authority. *Data Provided by 2018 Emc Research Survey.
Our Facilities
33 North High Street, Columbus
Administrative Offices and Retail Pass Sales Center
COTA Administrative Offices, located at 33 North High Street, also house a Pass Sales center, an operator relief station and an employee day room for operators to relax in between shifts
1600 McKinley Avenue
Bus Storage, Maintenance, and Customer Service Call Center
This 400,000 square foot bus storage and maintenance facility, located at 1600 McKinley Avenue, was completed in 1980. It has indoor storage capacity for 240 large 40-foot buses, where both heavy and light maintenance are performed and where buses are cleaned with two automated bus washers.
1333 Fields Avenue
Bus Storage and Maintenance Facility
The newly renovated 275,000 square foot Fields Avenue Facility, located at 1333 Fields Avenue, stores 180 coaches, has 12 vehicle maintenance bays and two bus washers. All operator training classrooms and facilities are located at our Fields Garage.
1330 Fields Avenue
Mobility Services
This 104,000 square-foot paratransit facility, located at 1330 Fields Avenue, houses operations, maintenance and administrative functions for Mainstream, COTAs demand-responsive service for persons with disabilities. The building features include storage for 110 paratransit vehicles (currently 64), six maintenance bays, bus wash and two fueling islands, as well as a state-of-the-art eligibility assessment center.