The Central Ohio Transit Authority hosted a ribbon cutting, ceremonial ride and panel discussion to celebrate the opening of CMAX, the first Bus Rapid Transit line in central Ohio. In honor of the festivities, COTA also offered free CMAX fares to riders for the entire day.
The celebration began at COTA’s Linden Transit Center, and included remarks from: Jean Carter Ryan — chair, COTA Board of Trustees; Emille Williams — interim president/CEO, Central Ohio Transit Authority; Mayor Andrew Ginther — city of Columbus; Kevin Boyce — president, Franklin County Board of Commissioners; Shannon Hardin — president, Columbus City Council; Steve Lyons — executive vice president and chief counsel, Columbus Partnership; and Robert Barksdale — past president, Milo-Grogan Area Commission; as well as special video messages from Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator Rob Portman, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and Congressman Steve Stivers.
After the ribbon cutting, stakeholders boarded CMAX for a ceremonial ride along Cleveland Avenue to COTA’s new Northland Transit Center. The celebration continued with a luncheon and panel discussion at the new Huntington Gateway Center.
The panel discussion was moderated by Emille Williams, and featured comments from Emmanuel Remy — councilmember, Columbus City Council; Carla Williams-Scott — director, Department of Neighborhoods, city of Columbus; Kim Sharp — deputy director of Planning & Development, city of Westerville; and John Lathram — vice chair, North Linden Area Commission. The discussion touched on development opportunities along Cleveland Avenue, and the role public transportation plays in the economic development of the region.
