Data: COTA; Chart: Axios Visuals
Annual ridership is moving in the right direction for the Central Ohio Transit Authority, though it remains well below pre-pandemic levels, per data shared with Axios.
Why it matters: Public transit is key to cities' broader health and vibrancy.
- It makes for cleaner, greener communities, opens up possibilities for those who can't afford a car, and frees up parking lots for other uses like housing or public gathering spaces.
By the numbers: Last year, the transit authority saw more than 11 million riders — a nearly 22% increase since hitting its lowest point in 2021.
Yes, but: Ridership is just 57% of what it was before COVID.
Between the lines: Our post-pandemic lifestyles are impacting travel patterns, with remote and hybrid work changing how, where and when we commute — and forcing cities nationwide to rethink public transit routes.
- A national workforce shortage is also making it harder to keep routes staffed and expand services, per the American Public Transportation Association.
The big picture: Ridership remained below pre-pandemic levels in nearly all major U.S. metro areas as of fall 2023, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report .
What they're saying: COTA has been gradually restoring its services to pre-pandemic levels and will continue making changes to attract more riders, spokesperson Jeff Pullin tells Axios.
Zoom in: New employee benefits aiming to improve recruitment and retention include a $100 monthly student loan stipend and paid family leave . A union contract approved in January includes 16% raises over three years.
- In 2021, bus fares became simpler and more affordable, and in 2022, all Columbus City Schools high schoolers started receiving free bus passes .
What's next: COTA's next goal is to begin offering midnight service later this year, which should boost third-shift worker ridership, Pullin says.
- A recently awarded state grant will also fund a feasibility study for a new route connecting Dublin and Intel's Ohio One , plus other job centers.
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4YqIZb_0rglbNmz00](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=4YqIZb_0rglbNmz00)
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Bus expansion on the ballot
The biggest changes planned for Central Ohio transit in the years ahead could depend on voter support in November.
What we're watching: Franklin County residents are expected to vote on doubling the existing COTA sales tax from 0.5% to 1%, in part to support a transportation initiative called LinkUs .
Zoom in: The plan would fund at least three bus rapid-transit corridors , plus related investments like sidewalks, bikeways, trails and roadways to better connect our communities.
- The corridors would offer many benefits akin to light rail, such as dedicated bus lanes, off-board fare collection, signal priority, and level and multidoor loading platforms.
What's more: COTA's service hours would increase by 45%, including select, high-ridership lines that would operate 24 hours a day, Pullin tells us.
- The effort would also add more COTA//Plus zones , a "last-mile service" that has grown more popular every year since launching in Grove City, Westerville and the South Side in 2019.
- This allows COTA riders free service to and from bus stops anywhere in those communities.
Context: Columbus is the state's fastest-growing region, but funds transit at lower levels than other major cities, like Cleveland (1%) and Cincinnati (0.8%).
What's next: Aug. 7 is the deadline to place the issue on the Nov. 5 ballot.
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