Existing Conditions
- Transit Market Analysis
- Current Routes and Performance
- Funding Sources
- COVID-19 Impacts
Short Range Transit Plan
The Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) will recommend service improvements and capital project priorities for COTA in the near term for 2023 - 2027.
This plan will analyze current service operations including existing fixed bus service and COTA//Plus zones, and develop innovative transit solutions. This plan will become a tool to assess and prioritize expenditures, services, and funding in order to serve the community’s mobility needs.
Click here to download the latest draft of the Short Range Transit Plan
Click here to download the appendices to the Short Range Transit Plan report
About COTA
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is the primary provider of public transit services for the greater Columbus and Central Ohio region, serving more than 1.2 million residents. This SRTP combines the vision and guiding principles of COTA to create near-term initiatives to guide COTA into 2027.
The Central Ohio region is growing in both population and jobs. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) projects that Central Ohio will grow to three million people by 2050. COTA is essential to smart growth to support public mobility options.
In creating the SRTP, COTA is collaborating with communities and local stakeholders to discuss transit priorities.
Stakeholder and Public Feedback
- Internal and External Stakeholders
- Municipalities
- General Public
- Educational Institutions
Plans and Guiding Documents
- Short and Long Range Transit Plan (2020-2050)
- COTA’s Strategic Plan
- Reimagining Sustainability
- LinkUS Community Action Plan
Data and Analytics
- Major Trip Generators
- Regional Travel Demand Model
- Transit Need in Communities
- Population and Employment Density
Short Range Transit Plan
Join us at our Public Meetings
Key:
In-Person
Virtual
Meeting
Hybrid Meeting
1. Southside
Date & Time: Monday April 10th, 6pm – 7pm
Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library Driving Park Branch – 1422 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH 43205 (Meeting RM1&2)
2. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Tuesday April 11th, 12pm – 1pm
3. Whitehall/Eastside
Date & Time: Tuesday April 11th, 6pm – 7:30pm
Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library Whitehall Branch – 4445 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43213 (Meeting RM1)
4. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Thursday April 13th, 12pm – 1pm
5. Downtown (Hybrid)
Date & Time: Thursday April 13th, 6pm – 7pm
Location: COTA Headquarters, 33 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
6. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Monday April 17th, 8am – 9am
7. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Monday April 17th, 12pm – 1pm
8. Downtown (Hybrid)
Date & Time: Tuesday April 18th, 12pm – 1pm
Location: COTA Headquarters, 33 North High Street, Columbus Ohio 43215
9. Northside
Date & Time: April 18th, 6pm – 7:30pm
Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library Karl Rd Branch – 5590 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229 (Meeting RM2&3)
10. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Wednesday April 19th, 12pm – 1pm
11. Hilltop/Franklinton
Date & Time: April 19th, 6pm to 7:30pm
Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library Hilltop Branch – 511 Hague Ave, Columbus, OH 43204 (Meeting RM1)
12. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Thursday April 20th, 12pm – 1pm
The Process
Stage 1
Existing Conditions + Data Analysis
Review of existing plans and guiding documents to collect relevant transit data to determine where COTA is today.
Stage 2
Municipality Stakeholder Input
Met with surrounding municipalities to learn about future plans and developments within their communities to determine opportunities
Stage 3
Operational Analysis + Preliminary Recommendations
With COTA Service Planning Team, review of each fixed route service to determine strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to determine preliminary recommendations
Stage 4
Community Input
Public Outreach to gather input over preliminary recommendations and how COTA can better serve their customers
We are here
Stage 5
Refine Recommendations
Refine recommendations to meet the need of community stakeholders.
Stage 6
Short Range Transit Plan
Take all the information gathered from all stages to create a final report to be adopted by the Board of Trustees.
What We Have Learned
COTA continues to invest in innovative transit solutions. Providing equitable and reliable transit service to neighborhoods should continue to be a priority.
The Existing Conditions report provides a review of COTA transit planning and operations over the last several years to assist in recommendations for improved transit operations. Highlights of this document include:
- Performance Metrics as part of the System Evaluation with Peer Comparisons
- Agency plans and initiatives, including the Transit System Redesign
- COVID-19 impacts
- Funding
Click image to expand
COTA’s ridership in 2019 was the highest in 31 years, which can be attributed to the successful implementation of the Transit Redesign in 2017. However, as with many transit providers in the United States, COTA’s service was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, COTA began to cut service in response to stay at home orders, as shown on the chart to the left.
Click image to expand
Public Transit needs to be convenient for those who rely on it the most. This includes:
- Low Income Population: Individuals with lower incomes typically utilize transit services, as transit is less expensive than owning and operating a vehicle.
- Persons with Disabilities: Many community members with disabilities cannot drive and/or have difficulty driving, relying on public transit.
- Senior Population: Older adults often become less comfortable or less able to operate a vehicle as they age.
- Youth Population: This group is defined as persons under the age of 18, who in recent years have shown a greater interest in transit, walking, and biking than driving.
- Zero-Vehicle Households: People without access to an automobile, whether it be by choice or due to financial, medical, or legal reasons.
The map on the left shows the overall transit need for Central Ohio based on Census Data. The areas of greatest public transit are the Downtown vicinity, along with the Eastside, Hilltop, and Northland neighborhoods.
From the analysis and using most recent ACS 5-year estimates by census block group, the areas of greatest need for public transit in Central Ohio are Downtown, the Eastside, Hilltop, and Northland neighborhoods.
Click image to expand
Transit Potential measures the density of population and employment centers. Locations with high transit potential may strategically be able to support a public transit network given the economic flow of trade and commerce.
Public Transit connects people to jobs to create opportunities within the region. In Columbus, the map on the left show’s areas with high transit potential. These areas include North High Street and The Ohio State University campus, the areas adjacent to Downtown, and the Easton area on the Northeast side.
Mobility Innovations
COTA//Plus
COTA has complemented existing fixed-route and paratransit services by investing in COTA//Plus On-Demand Microtransit services. This type of transit service improves access to jobs where fixed route service is not operationally efficient. COTA will continue to look at equitable ways to increase this service throughout its region.
Visit cota.com/services/cota-plus/ for more details
LinkUS
LinkUS is a growth and mobility initative to better connect our community and businesses. LinkUS will create an integrated mobility system that will make it easier to walk, bike, or take public transit.
Visit linkuscolumbus.com for more details.
Equitable Fares
COTA has modernized its transit payment infrastructure to be an account-based collection system to make transit more affordable, ensuring customers pay no more than $4.50 a day or $62 a month. This practice allows transit to remain affordable and equitable to all riders.
Sustainability Initiatives
COTA is in the process of transitioning its fixed-route fleet to more sustainable vehicles. Through the development of a Zero Emissions Plan, this will drive equitable economic growth and sustainability throughout the region.
Visit cota.com/community-business/environmental-promise for more details.
Our Approach
Stakeholder Engagement
Throughout Fall of 2022, COTA met with municipalities, external stakeholders, and COTA staff to learn about opportunities and desires for transit in the next five years. Now, we want to hear from you!
Service Analysis
COTA service planners and schedulers reviewed the entire COTA system through all day workshops. A route profile was created for each route that looked at service characteristics, such as:
- Description of transit service and key points of interest
- Daily statistics, such as passenger boardings per hour and per mile
- Ridership by trip and by stop
- Route connections for transfers
These service characteristics lead to route strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for the future that became the preliminary recommendations for the SRTP.
Market Analysis
The Market Analysis analyzed the transit need and potential of Central Ohio and how well transit can serve various markets. This is important to consider while reviewing the transit network to encourage higher transit ridership and a network that meets the demand of the people.
Key Themes and Considerations
The SRTP will take into consideration key developments, plans, and regional initiatives that have directly impacted COTA over the last several years. These included:
- The 2017 Transit System Redesign considered how service should be provided between competing needs of riders. Transit services were streamlined to provide efficient services through restructured route numbering.
- Stakeholder Involvement, including municipality goals and objectives for the next 5 years, service planning and scheduling considerations, and customer feedback through the Customer Service center.
- The announcement and opportunities that exist in Licking County and Rickenbacker area for future economic and job growth.
Key Themes that emerged from municipality engagement and the service operations analysis are:
- Dense development is occurring, and will continue to occur on the existing fixed route system. The existing network is the backbone for future service growth and opportunities.
- There are new mobility options, such as COTA//Plus that may be more efficient of providing transit to neighborhoods that are difficult to reach.
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Outward growth will continue for the following communities:
New Albany, Rickenbacker, Grove City and Dublin.
The goals for determining new or redefined COTA//Plus zones as part of the Short Range Plan considered the following:
- Opportunities to connect to the fixed route network
- Service to areas that are not well served by fixed route due to financial or operational constraints
- Desire for local circulation within the area or neighborhood
- Access to multiple retail, grocery, medical facilities, educational institutions, and multi-family housing
Preliminary Recommendations
Click map to enlarge.
Proposed Route Network
Northwest Quadrant:
- New service to OSU Dublin Medical Facility (via Route 32)
- Creation of the Dublin COTA//Plus zone
- Service on Lane Avenue from OSU Innovation District, (via Route 32)
- Service on North Star and Zollinger Road for streamlined service to OSU (via Route 3)
- Direct service from Ohio State Herrick Transit Center to Hilliard via Kingsdale (via Route 32 East and West)
- New Service to the Franklinton neighborhood from Grandview (via Route 31)
Northeast Quadrant:
- New service along SR-161 (via Route 35)
- Connection to St. Ann’s Hospital (via Route 4)
- Streamline service through Gahanna along Hamilton Avenue with access to the new Hamilton Quarter (via Route 25)
- Increased connections to Easton for SMART transit to connect New Albany employment with COTA services
- Expanded Westerville COTA//Plus zone. The Northeast COTA//Plus Zone will provide more coverage into Gahanna and New Albany
- Explore new partnerships with neighboring counties
Southwest Quadrant:
- Streamlined Service along Broadway Avenue
- Service along Hoover Road to improve access to multi-family residences and Kroger (via Route 3)
- Expanded COTA//Plus network to reach north to Broad Street to create a Southwest Transit Arc
- Increased access to the Franklinton and Hilltop neighborhoods with fixed route service and COTA//Plus zone
Southeast Quadrant:
- Extension of a route to access retail development at I-70 and 256 (either via Route 1, 2, or 10). This could lead to a possible connection with Licking County Transit
- A new connection from Easton to Rickenbacker (via Route 24)
- Streamlined bi-directional loop between High Street and Parsons Avenue (via Route 6)
- Expanded South Side COTA//Plus zone to hard to reach areas
- Service along Sullivant Avenue provides one seat access to VA Hospital and Airport (via Route 7)
Community Meetings
We want your feedback!
COTA is eager to hear from all stakeholders, including you! To Leave a comment or question, click the “comment” button on the top right!
Also, feel free to attend one of our several community outreach events, either in-person or virtual!
Community Outreach
Key:
In-Person
Virtual
Meeting
Hybrid Meeting
1. Southside
Date & Time: Monday April 10th, 6pm – 7pm
Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library Driving Park Branch – 1422 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH 43205 (Meeting RM1&2)
2. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Tuesday April 11th, 12pm – 1pm
3. Whitehall/Eastside
Date & Time: Tuesday April 11th, 6pm – 7:30pm
Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library Whitehall Branch – 4445 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43213 (Meeting RM1)
4. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Thursday April 13th, 12pm – 1pm
5. Downtown (Hybrid)
Date & Time: Thursday April 13th, 6pm – 7pm
Location: COTA Headquarters, 33 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
6. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Monday April 17th, 8am – 9am
7. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Monday April 17th, 12pm – 1pm
8. Downtown (Hybrid)
Date & Time: Tuesday April 18th, 12pm – 1pm
Location: COTA Headquarters, 33 North High Street, Columbus Ohio 43215
9. Northside
Date & Time: April 18th, 6pm – 7:30pm
Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library Karl Rd Branch – 5590 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229 (Meeting RM2&3)
10. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Wednesday April 19th, 12pm – 1pm
11. Hilltop/Franklinton
Date & Time: April 19th, 6pm to 7:30pm
Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library Hilltop Branch – 511 Hague Ave, Columbus, OH 43204 (Meeting RM1)
12. Online (Virtual Meeting)
Date & Time: Thursday April 20th, 12pm – 1pm
Q&A’s
The Short Range Transit Plan will analyze the transit market in Central Ohio and COTA’s ability to serve that market through 2027. This plan will be a vital tool to assess current transit operations and future transit enhancements and prioritize expenditures, service, and funding to serve the communities mobility needs.
The SRTP will serve as a guide for COTA over the course of the next five years. In alignment with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), the SRTP will support the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) process for the region.
COTA has multiple levels of engagement throughout the SRTP development process. This fall, COTA met with key stakeholders, including municipalities within the service area, neighborhood groups, and local organizations.
COTA will engage the public and host a series of public meetings to discuss route recommendations in April.
This plan strategically looks at COTA service operations in an approach that is feasible within 5 years. The scenarios and recommendations that will be developed are within the financial model that COTA can sustain.
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