The Board of Trustees of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) voted to extend free fares on the popular CBUS through April 30, 2017.
The CBUS connects Downtown residents, visitors and workers to shopping, dining, entertainment, hotels and meeting sites throughout the central business district, the Short North, the Arena District and the Brewery District. Since its inception on May 5, 2014, the CBUS has become a vital part of the Downtown experience. In March 2016, CBUS ridership reached one million trips, exceeding its ridership goal by more than 60%.
Financial support for the CBUS from businesses and other public and private stakeholders in the Downtown area make the continuation of free CBUS passenger fares possible.
“CBUS has emerged as a catalyst for activity Downtown and in our near-Downtown neighborhoods,” said Curtis Stitt, COTA president/CEO. “We’re pleased to maintain a free fare policy while we identify a long-term funding solution to keep it free.”
In 2015, COTA convened the CBUS Taskforce to identify and pursue long-term funding sources. The Taskforce will release a report including its findings and recommendations in May 2016.
