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The Central Ohio Transit Authority, COTA, 
will introduce a bus rapid transit service, or BRT,

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and enhanced bus service in January 2018 to upgrade one of its
busiest routes, local line 6 serving Cleveland Avenue.

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Branded as CMAX, this premium new service will
run for 15 miles between downtown Columbus

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and the OhioHealth Westerville Medical Campus
at Polaris Parkway and Africa Road.

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CMAX will provide riders with more travel options,
reduce travel times, improve pedestrian access and safety,

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and foster opportunities for economic
development within the corridor.

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On weekday mornings and afternoons CMAX will
arrive every 10 minutes,

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every 15 during off-peak times, and every 30 minutes
on weekends between downtown and State Route 161.

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Powered by compressed natural gas, CMAX buses will
feature a vibrantly colored,

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movement-inspired exterior design with sleek platinum
and bright blue fiberglass seats.

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Customers will also enjoy personal technology upgrades
such as Wi-Fi and power charging ports.

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Service will share traffic lanes with other vehicles
except during rush hours in downtown,

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when CMAX buses will use bus-only lanes on High Street.

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Columbus State Community College,
with over 26,000 students,

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will be a major CMAX station on Cleveland Avenue.

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CMAX can help alleviate Columbus State
on-campus parking limitations

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and allow students and faculty
to easily get to and from campus.

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Ticket kiosks will be located at Columbus State
shelters and the Northland Transit Center.

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Transit-oriented development and other new facilities
can be designed to maximize access to public transit

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for workers and reduce increasing
congestion throughout the region.

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The Linden Transit Center, located at 11th Avenue,

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will provide a connection between CMAX and
community resources centers in the area.

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Additional CMAX investments include installation
of security cameras at all shelters.

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COTA's investment in CMAX is aimed at encouraging
business development along the route.

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Stations north of Downtown Columbus will feature
glass enclosed waiting areas for weather protection,

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enhanced lighting for safety, and benches
and lean-rails for customer comfort.

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Bright blue pylon markers will carry the same
distinctive identity as CMAX buses and shelters.

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Screens will be installed with real-time next-bus
information for all lines serving the station.

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A transit signal priority system
will trigger green lights

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and shorten red lights to reduce commute
times and help buses stay on schedule.

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The Park and Ride lot at Northern Lights
Shopping Center will be relocated and upgraded

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to improve convenience for
commuters accessing CMAX.

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The new Park and Ride lot will
accommodate up to 120 vehicles,

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have an area for vehicle drop-offs,
and bicycle racks.

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A new traffic signal and crosswalk will be constructed
on Cleveland Avenue at the Northern Lights driveway.

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COTA has been working closely with the diverse
communities, businesses, and property owners

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along the corridor to ensure the new CMAX
stations enhance surrounding neighborhoods.

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In addition to lighting and
infrastructure improvements,

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art will be designed with the
help of our community partners.

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These representations of community pride will be featured
on transparent panels in the back window of shelters.

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Customer safety is our highest priority.

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Sidewalk improvements and bicycle parking
will provided at stations

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to improve active transportation connections.

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In addition, stations will have security
cameras installed in the shelter.

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Lighting in and around the shelters will allow
passengers to feel more secure in the waiting areas.

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The new Northland Transit Center at Huntington
Gateway Center will offer bus bays

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for convenient transfer to
regular local and express service.

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Customers will enjoy an indoor waiting area
as well as a outdoor canopy

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to provide protection during winter weather
or cool shade in the summer.

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As an added community benefit, landscaping will be
installed and maintained around the transit center.

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Enhanced bus service will also operate north
of State Route 161 every 30 minutes.

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Stations along the enhanced bus service will offer new
shelters and real-time arrival information displays.

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The route will service Mount Carmel
Saint Anne's Hospital in Westerville

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which averages 72,000 visits per year.

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CMAX makes its final stop at OhioHealth Westerville
Medical Campus at Polaris Parkway and Africa Road.

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Depending on the time of day, the trip will
be 20% faster than current service,

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allowing customers to travel from
Downtown Columbus to Polaris Parkway

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in less than an hour without the stress of driving.

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COTA expects the improved bus system to increase ridership
by 15-20% within the first five years of operation.

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To stay updated, please visit www.COTABRT.com