LinkUS continues our work with public and private partners to bring rapid transit and mobility options to the region. LinkUS will help create world-class transit in Central Ohio.


Here’s some recent updates:

  • A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released later this year for a consultant to produce a new citywide Bikeways Plan, which would replace the 2008 Bicentennial Bikeways Plan. The plan will identify a priority bicycle network and primarily be focused on implementation.
  • The East Main Street team is currently at a point in the design phase that includes working toward submission to the federal government for review.
  • A Downtown Multimodal Transportation Study will launch in the next few months to examine the feasibility of potential bike, transit and pedestrian upgrades as envisioned in the Downtown Strategic Plan. The plan will also look at the potential for pilot programs–also known as tactical urbanism projects–in which new lane configurations are tested by using temporary barriers before being installed permanently.

With these improvements, LinkUS will help bring affordable, reliable and faster mobility and transit options to those living in our region, while introducing a sustainable, low-carbon footprint option for the region.

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The Northwest Corridor Progresses Toward an Important Milestone

A draft of the Northwest Corridor Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) report is being refined as it progresses toward final adoption, anticipated later this year. Thank you to everyone who has attended public and stakeholder meetings, completed surveys and shared thoughts online to help inform the LPA so far.


An LPA is a Federal Transit Administration term for the community’s choice around the key elements that make up a rapid transit route: the alignment (the route it runs along), guideway (how it fits into the street right-of-way) and station locations that best fit the community’s needs. The LPA also describes different roadway and development conditions throughout the corridor. It is an important step in pursuing needed federal funds to pay a portion of engineering and/or construction costs.


Building on all the engagement, planning and technical analysis to date, the LPA report will be accompanied by a series of supporting technical documents. In October, the Northwest Corridor Technical Team reviewed and provided feedback on draft materials, and a final report will be presented to the COTA Board of Trustees for their consideration for adoption.


Check the website later this month/early December for a status update on the LPA’s adoption and supporting documentation, which will be added to the Northwest Corridor section of the website once finalized.

HONORING OUR VETERANS

Recognizing those who have served


The Columbus Veterans Day Parade heads through Downtown Columbus on Thursday, November 10, 2022, with Milvets Columbus, Ohio. The parade honors and remembers the sacrifice made when a veteran signed a blank check for service to our nation. The Grand Marshal is Jason Dominguez of Lima Co. The parade kicks off with a military flyover at noon. The parade steps off from Nationwide Blvd. at noon sharp turning south on N. High St. then turning west on W. Broad St. The Parade ends at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

The annual Veterans Day ceremony at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad St., is set to begin at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day. 

COTA RECOGNIZES VETERANS

To celebrate and honor Veterans, COTA, in conjunction with its Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG), has worked to create meaningful ways to celebrate employees and customers who have served, or are currently serving, in the military. On Thursday, November 10, 2022, all COTA Veterans are invited to attend a Recognition Ceremony and Breakfast. Veterans will be presented with a 2022 commemorative coin that honors their service and dedication.


Additionally, Veterans receive discounted fares throughout the year and enjoy no-fare transportation on Veterans Day.


As part of COTA’s ongoing commitment to uplift and support veterans and COTA employees who have served in the military, Central Ohio veterans and our COTA veterans and members of COTA’s VERG participated in the annual Central Ohio Veterans Stand Down event, held on October 18 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. This Veterans-only program connects Central Ohio Veterans to vital social services they may need to assist with health, housing, job-related issues and more.

COTA Offers No Fares on Election Day

In order to improve voters' access to polling on Tuesday, November 8, there will be no fares for the entire service day on all COTA fixed-route buses, COTA Mainstream, Mainstream On Demand and COTA//Plus. Voters can check their polling location on the Franklin County Board of Elections Website. Once voters find their polling location, they can plan their trip at COTA.com or the Transit app on their smartphone.


Customers can also get help planning their trip by calling COTA Customer Care at (614) 228-1776. Call Center hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. The COTA Customer Experience Center will be open during regular hours on Election Day, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Stay in Touch with LinkUS


LinkUS is reimagining mobility in the region.


Stay tuned to news and upcoming events on the LinkUS website. Spread the word about LinkUS by sharing messages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Connect with COTA by downloading the COTA Transit app! From the app, you can plan, track and pay for COTA rides all from your smartphone. Learn more here.


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