COTA will also launch a new retail distribution network of approximately 350 locations throughout Central Ohio neighborhoods to meet its cash-only customers where they are, so they can add funds via cash to the Transit app or smartcard.
Where To Buy Cota Bus Pass
Thousands of COTA customers use the Transit app daily for real-time trip planning and vehicle tracking. COTA partnered with Transit to make fare payments available in one easy-to-use app for customers to plan, track and pay for their complete COTA journey. The account-based ticketing solution is powered by Masabi, which enables fare-capping technology to guarantee the best possible price for customers, no matter where they ride, how they pay or whether they utilize the Transit app or a smartcard. Customers can only take advantage of fare capping if they use this new fare payment system.
Swiping a card to go almost anywhere in Columbus is no longer a luxury just enjoyed by Ohio State students. OSU faculty and staff can now purchase discounted Central Ohio Transit Authority monthly fares for local routes via a pre-tax payroll deduction.
As of March, the standard local monthly COTA pass is $62 per month and the discounted price for OSU employees is $58 per month. The goal of the program is to combine the long-standing $4 discount offered to employees and the added value of a pre-tax payroll deduction, said Lisa Myers, the public and media relations manager for COTA.
Should it rain over two inches in the 24-hour period before the 2 p.m. start of the F1 USGP on Sunday, Oct. 23, COTA will refund 105% of the value of the ticket for any fan who purchased a reserved seat on a 3-day weekend pass or a Sunday-only reserved seat by July 5, 2016, and still allow them to attend the race.
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) provides public transportation within Central Ohio and the Greater Columbus area. With a service area of 1.2 million residents, COTA provides more than 19 million passenger trips annually.
Faculty and staff may enroll in the COTA bus pass payroll deduction program through Workday. Eligible employees must sign up for this voluntary deduction to participate. COTA bus access will begin the month following the deduction being withheld from the employees paycheck. For example, if the deduction is withdrawn from the March paycheck, COTA bus access will begin April 1.
In 1975, COTA launched the Key Card program, which provided a discount fare for those passengers with disabilities. By the summer of 1976, COTA had established 50 bus shelters. In 1977, COTA started the Commuter Club that offered unlimited riding for $20 a month. One of the first express bus services, the Beeline, was introduced in 1979 giving passengers a speedy ride up and down High Street. That same year, planning began on COTA's 400,000-square-foot (37,000 m2) operations center on McKinley Ave. In 1992, a 24-hour pass was introduced to allow riders unlimited trips to local and crosstown routes provided by COTA's new lift-equipped buses. From 2007 to 2008, the agency removed all exterior advertisements from its buses, citing diminishing ad revenue and desiring a clean, neat look to the buses.[6]
The agency purchased its downtown office, the William J. Lhota Building, in 2008.[7] Also in 2008, the city of Dublin was added into COTA service areas.[3] In 2016, COTA introduced 4G connectivity in its buses, giving passengers better internet access and allowing for real-time bus tracking to improve communication and efficiency.[8] Real-time bus tracking for passengers began in May 2016 through the Transit app.[9]
On May 1, 2017, the agency overhauled its bus network, the first redesign since COTA's establishment in 1971. The effort simplified routes, increased bus frequency, connected more locations, and reduced bus congestion in downtown Columbus. The redesign doubled the agency's number of frequent lines (from four to eight) and significantly increased weekend service. The project caused a 3.6 percent increase in ridership by May 2018.[10][11] In August 2017, COTA became the third large transit agency with fleet-wide passenger WiFi.[12] On June 1, 2018, COTA began the C-Pass program, giving employees of certain companies downtown free rides on COTA buses. By 2019, the program enrolled about 420 companies. C-Pass is scheduled to be discontinued on December 31, 2020; property owners will decide whether to fund the program further.[13]
In 2020, COTA reported 19.1 million riders in 2019, the system's highest ridership since 1988. Ridership had been steadily increasing over several decades, due to rising gas prices, COTA's bus network redesign, and other improvements.[17] In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began affecting Ohio, ridership dropped approximately 40 percent. COTA introduced several measures in mid-March, including thorough cleaning measures, suspending fare collection, reducing all rush hour lines, and suspending its AirConnect and Night Owl services. On March 20, the agency recommended only using its services for essential travel; two days later it shut down several rush hour services and reduced frequencies of nine crosstown lines. On March 24, it stopped all rush hour services until further notice. On March 26, the agency began "dynamic service" to pick up customers left at bus stops by too-full buses; the agency's current policy is for a maximum of 20 passengers per bus.[21] On March 28, a COTA bus operator tested positive for the virus.[22] On March 30, COTA suspended service on routes 21, 25, and 35.[23] On April 7, a second driver tested positive for the disease.[24] On the 11th, the agency announced it will require passengers to wear face masks.[25] On April 27, following further route reductions and a third COTA worker testing positive, it announced all late-night and early hours would be cut, making all services only run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ridership is down about 65 percent from before the virus.[26] On May 2, as a portion of businesses began to reopen, COTA announced it will resume some early-morning services on May 5.[27]
COTA Plus, stylized as COTA//PLUS, is a microtransit service in Grove City and northeast Franklin County. The service enables people to use a mobile app or call COTA's customer service to arrange a trip within service zones created for Grove City and northeast Franklin County. Fares are different than fixed-route COTA services, with single fares at $3, day passes at $6, and weekly passes at $20. C-Pass holders, university students, children, and those with discount IDs receive free or reduced fares relative to their eligibility for other COTA services.[38]
The agency is headquartered in the William J. Lhota Building in downtown Columbus. COTA purchased the building in 2008, and named it for Lhota, its former CEO, in 2012. The 80,000-square-foot (7,400 m2) building holds administrative offices, a bus operator check-in, pass sales offices, and ticket machines. The building is part of the High and Gay Streets Historic District, on the National Register of Historic Places.[7]
Payment is available on board with exact change, purchased bus passes, a refillable smart card, or through COTA's Connector app.[47] Passes can be purchased at COTA's downtown office, the Spring Street Terminal, John Glenn International Airport, the Columbus State Community College Bookstore, or at supermarkets throughout Central Ohio.[48]
Students of Ohio State University, Capital University, Columbus College of Art and Design, and Columbus City Schools can swipe their student ID cards to board for free.[50] COTA's summer youth pass is another fare option for people under the age of 17, allowing access to COTA services for the months of June, July, and August for a single $62 fee.[51]
In June 2010 COTA introduced six hybrid buses, which offered a 48 percent increase in fuel efficiency over its diesel buses, a battery-powered electric motor and regenerative brakes that power the battery when pressed, an LED lighting system used inside and outside of the vehicle, and a smoother ride for passengers since the electric motors do not require shifting. Due to rising gas prices at the time, COTA was concerned with reducing fuel emissions, which sparked the addition of the hybrid-electric buses. In 2011, COTA conducted a study to consider the potential benefits of switching to compressed natural gas (CNG) to power its fixed-route bus fleet. The study compared costs of CNG versus diesel fuel, operational and maintenance expenses, market forces, and infrastructure costs. In keeping with COTA's "Going Green" program, environmental impacts, particularly emissions, were also evaluated. COTA officials also visited and studied other public transit systems operating CNG fleets. In late 2011, COTA made the decision to move forward with the transition to CNG and updated existing plans for the renovation of the McKinley Operations facility to include CNG compatible modifications. COTA completed a $76 million renovation of its McKinley Avenue Fixed-Route Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility. The 400,000 sq ft (37,000 m2) facility is the larger and older (completed in 1974) of its two fixed-route operations facilities.
While supplies last, currently enrolled Columbus State student are eligible to receive emergency transportation assistance in the form of a one-day bus pass or $15 gas card once per term. Support is available at the Columbus (downtown) & Delaware campuses as well as the Dublin & Westerville regional learning centers. View information below on how to access support at your location of choice.
Parking pass
Upon arrival at the venue gate, allow at least 60 minutes to park during peak arrival times and expect a delay in excess of 75 minutes if you depart immediately after the Sunday race. For the best traffic experience, arrive early and stay for the post-race entertainment, shows, exhibits, and activities.
Dallas appears at No. 34 on the list, with the average six-figure earner bringing home $72,345 after taxes. That salary shrinks in the northern Dallas suburb of Plano (No. 59), where the worker brings home $59,422.
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