Bus service throughout the region will be enhanced when the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) launches a redesigned bus network on May 1. To ease the transition for current customers, and encourage new riders to try the new system, customers will receive free fares May 1-7.
The Transit System Redesign (TSR) is a complete overhaul of the COTA network that will provide simplified routes, increased frequency, connections to more places, reduced bus congestion downtown, and service to more jobs.
“As the central Ohio region has grown and changed over the last 40 years, bus service has been added and removed, but we’ve never reviewed the system as a whole,” said W. Curtis Stitt, COTA president/CEO. “Our system map today looks very similar to our network in 1974 when COTA began operations.”
The new bus system will have twice as many high-frequency bus routes that arrive every 15 minutes or better on major streets. These simple, frequent, easy-to-understand routes form the backbone of the new COTA system. Starting May 1, COTA routes will also operate on more consistent schedules seven days a week. Saturday service hours will increase by almost 50% and Sunday service hours will more than double.
“We’re excited to launch the redesign, which will provide public transit to more people and more jobs in central Ohio,” Stitt said. “The new COTA network will be easier to understand and navigate, and will serve an unmet demand for transit access seven days a week.”
When the new COTA network launches, 100,000 more central Ohio residents will live within a quarter-mile of high frequency (every 15 minutes or better) bus service. In addition, 110,000 more jobs will be located within a quarter-mile of high frequency COTA service.
“COTA’s new system will provide a solid foundation of high-quality bus service that we can build on as our community grows,” Stitt said.
