LinkUS is a transportation initiative in Central Ohio , United States. The project aims to create approximately five rapid transit corridors to support the metro population of Columbus , the capital and largest city in Ohio.
54-937: The initiative was announced in 2020 to create high-capacity rapid transit in Central Ohio. The initiative is a collaboration between the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), the City of Columbus, and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission . The initiative will also aim to create jobs as well as transit-oriented developments. It will begin its focus on Columbus's northwest corridor, and then to an east–west corridor consisting of Broad and Main Streets. City officials aim for projects like Indianapolis's Red Line (a bus rapid transit line). The first bus rapid transit line,
108-434: A commuter lot , is a parking lot with public transport connections that allows commuters and other people heading to city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus , rail system ( rapid transit , light rail , or commuter rail ), or carpool for the remainder of the journey. The vehicle is left in the parking lot during the day and retrieved when the owner returns. Park and rides are generally located in
162-778: A 20 January 1956 report in the Los Angeles Times . It refers to the nominal scenario whereby a passenger is driven to the station by spouse or partner , then they kiss each other goodbye before the passenger catches the train. Deutsche Bahn has announced that it will be changing the English expressions for Kiss and Ride, Service Points and Counters to German ones. In Italy the new Bologna Centrale railway station uses "kiss and ride" signs. Some high-speed railway stations in Taiwan have signs outside stations reading "Kiss and Ride" in English, with Chinese characters above
216-472: A 3.6 percent increase in ridership by May 2018. In August 2017, COTA became the third large transit agency with fleet-wide passenger WiFi. On June 1, 2018, COTA began the C-Pass program, giving employees of certain companies downtown free rides on COTA buses. By 2019, the program enrolled about 420 companies. C-Pass is scheduled to be discontinued on December 31, 2020; property owners will decide whether to fund
270-410: A battery-powered electric motor and regenerative brakes that power the battery when pressed, an LED lighting system used inside and outside of the vehicle, and a smoother ride for passengers since the electric motors do not require shifting. Due to rising gas prices at the time, COTA was concerned with reducing fuel emissions, which sparked the addition of the hybrid-electric buses. In 2011, COTA conducted
324-626: A bus operator check-in, pass sales offices, and ticket machines. The building is part of the High and Gay Streets Historic District , on the National Register of Historic Places . COTA's CEO and President was Joanna Pinkerton until 2024; she was replaced by Monica Tellez-Fowler on May 6, 2024. COTA's Board of Trustees are appointed for three-year terms by Franklin County, the City of Columbus, and suburbs of Columbus. The 2022-2025 board chair
378-538: A clean, neat look to the buses. The agency purchased its downtown office, the William J. Lhota Building , in 2008. Also in 2008, the city of Dublin was added into COTA service areas. In 2016, COTA introduced 4G connectivity in its buses, giving passengers better internet access and allowing for real-time bus tracking to improve communication and efficiency. Real-time bus tracking for passengers began in May 2016 through
432-561: A completely CNG fleet will be a 12-year process that will occur as coaches are retired and replaced, and additional coaches are purchased as part of COTA's ongoing service expansion program. The transition required remodeling with upgrades for CNG at several COTA facilities including a second CNG fueling station at its Fields Avenue Fixed-Route Bus Facility. 39°57′45″N 82°59′57″W / 39.962453°N 82.999294°W / 39.962453; -82.999294 Park %26 Ride A park and ride , also known as incentive parking or
486-469: A full-time basis from 1973. Better Choice Parking first offered an airport park and ride service at London Gatwick Airport in 1978. Oxford now operates park and ride from 5 dedicated parking lots around the city. As of 2015, Oxford has the biggest urban park & ride network in the UK with a combined capacity of 5,031 car parking spaces. Some railway stations are promoted as a park and ride facility for
540-408: A name for using cycle boxes or racks near public transport terminals, mostly together with P & R parking lots. This system can be promoted through integrated fare and tickets with public transport system. Many railway stations and airports feature a "kiss-and-ride" or "kiss-and-fly" area in which cars can stop briefly to discharge or, less commonly, pick up passengers. The term first appeared in
594-797: A new fare system, based on the Transit app , which caps fares at $ 4.50 per day or $ 62 per month. The agency is also transitioning to cash-free fares, though it added about 400 retailers in Central Ohio into a network, allowing riders to add cash to their accounts at the retail stores. In 2023, COTA staff presented their five-year plan to the agency's board. The plan will cost $ 1.2 billion and will include new rapid transit corridors, regional funding for sidewalks, bike infrastructure, greenways and other related upgrades, new bus routes, additional electric buses, 60-foot-long buses, higher frequency, longer service hours, and additional transit shelters and facilities. Also in 2023, COTA's board approved resolutions advancing
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#1732787472032648-498: A rainwater harvesting system which captures and stores the water for use by the bus wash and toilets. The landscape was also designed to be low maintenance and to not require an irrigation system. Additionally, the HVAC system was built below-floor providing both heat and air conditioning, which reduces the heat or cool air lost when traveling through typical air ducts. Payment is available on board with exact change, purchased bus passes,
702-739: A refillable smart card, or through COTA's Connector app. Passes can be purchased at COTA's downtown office, the Spring Street Terminal, John Glenn International Airport, the Columbus State Community College Bookstore, or at supermarkets throughout Central Ohio. In 2021, COTA is transitioning to a cash-free system, based on the Transit app . About 400 retail stores in Central Ohio are or will be available to add cash to customer accounts. The Transit app has fare capping , so users will not pay over $ 4.50 per day or $ 62 per calendar month. Users of
756-406: A single location. The facility cost $ 21.7 million, with 85 percent of the cost federally funded. The Mobility Services Facility holds 110 paratransit vehicles, 6 vehicle maintenance bays, administrative offices, an eligibility assessment center, one bus wash, and two fueling islands. The building relies heavily on natural light, reducing its dependence on artificial lighting. The building also contains
810-483: A study to consider the potential benefits of switching to compressed natural gas (CNG) to power its fixed-route bus fleet. The study compared costs of CNG versus diesel fuel, operational and maintenance expenses, market forces, and infrastructure costs. In keeping with COTA's "Going Green" program, environmental impacts, particularly emissions, were also evaluated. COTA officials also visited and studied other public transit systems operating CNG fleets. In late 2011, COTA made
864-407: A third COTA worker testing positive, it announced all late-night and early hours would be cut, making all services only run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ridership is down about 65 percent from before the virus. On May 2, as a portion of businesses began to reopen, COTA announced it will resume some early-morning services on May 5. From May 30 to June 8, COTA rerouted service around downtown Columbus due to
918-473: A town a few miles away, for instance Liskeard for Looe and St Erth for St Ives , both in Cornwall , England, and Norden for Swanage , Dorset , England (by steam railway ). These help relieve traffic congestion and parking problems in the town. In contrast, some stations act as a railhead, easily accessed by road, for long-distance traffic. Names of stations in the UK with large car parks outside
972-460: A travel office, food shop, car wash , or cafeteria may be provided. These are often encouraged by municipal operators to encourage use of park and ride. Park and ride facilities, with dedicated parking lots and bus services, began in the 1960s in the UK. Oxford operated the first such scheme, initially with an experimental service operating part-time from a motel on the A34 in the 1960s and then on
1026-463: Is Marlon Moore, appointed by the City of Columbus. The agency is staffed with about 1,120 employees, including about 700 operators (bus drivers). The Central Ohio Transit Authority operates 3,500 bus stops, 350 of which have shelters. The agency operates four transit centers: Easton Transit Center, Linden Transit Center, Northland Transit Center, and Near East Transit Center. It operates two downtown bus terminals: Spring Street (North) Terminal and
1080-494: Is another fare option for people under the age of 17, allowing access to COTA services for the months of June, July, and August for a single $ 62 fee. Bus service is free during or after severe snowstorms for the duration of the day, announced when the Franklin County Sheriff declares level 2 or level 3 snow emergencies. COTA bus service has also been made temporarily free during other emergencies, including at
1134-609: The COVID-19 pandemic began affecting Ohio, ridership dropped approximately 40 percent. COTA introduced several measures in mid-March, including thorough cleaning measures, suspending fare collection, reducing all rush hour lines, and suspending its AirConnect and Night Owl services. On March 20, the agency recommended only using its services for essential travel; two days later it shut down several rush hour services and reduced frequencies of nine crosstown lines. On March 24, it stopped all rush hour services until further notice. On March 26,
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#17327874720321188-506: The COVID-19 pandemic . In 2012, the agency purchased its first mobile emergency operations center, allowing it to operate alongside and coordinate with other mobile operations centers during crises. The agency is headquartered in the William J. Lhota Building in downtown Columbus. COTA purchased the building in 2008, and named it for Lhota, its former CEO, in 2012. The 80,000-square-foot (7,400 m ) building holds administrative offices,
1242-552: The LinkUS project for bus rapid transit corridors. CMAX , a bus rapid transit service, runs along Cleveland Avenue from downtown to Westerville . The limited-stop service is estimated to be 20 percent faster than conventional service, using dedicated bus lanes during rush hours, and utilizing transit signal priority . The buses have USB charging ports; the stops have real-time information screens and some feature local art. The service began operation on January 1, 2018. CMAX
1296-405: The Transit app. On May 1, 2017, the agency overhauled its bus network, the first redesign since COTA's establishment in 1971. The effort simplified routes, increased bus frequency, connected more locations, and reduced bus congestion in downtown Columbus. The redesign doubled the agency's number of frequent lines (from four to eight) and significantly increased weekend service. The project caused
1350-671: The William J. Lhota Building in downtown Columbus . The agency is managed by President and CEO Monica Tellez-Fowler along with a 13-member board of trustees. COTA is funded by a permanent 0.25% sales tax as well as another 10-year 0.25% sales tax. The agency was founded in 1971, replacing the private Columbus Transit Company. Mass transit service in the city dates to 1863, progressively with horsecars , streetcars , and buses. The Central Ohio Transit Authority began operating in 1974 and has made gradual improvements to its fleet and network. Its first bus network redesign took place in 2017. The 2010s have also seen noted service improvements, with
1404-473: The city's George Floyd protests . On June 3, the agency gave a statement regarding its police transport activities during the protests. It had been criticized on social media, and responded that it is committed to breaking down institutional racism , and that its police transport role has been longstanding as part of its emergency service roles. The agency noted that it is not transporting arrested protesters as some agencies have been. In 2021, COTA introduced
1458-511: The suburbs of metropolitan areas or on the outer edges of large cities. A park and ride that only offers parking for meeting a carpool and not connections to public transport may also be called a park and pool . Park and ride is abbreviated as "P+R" on road signs in some countries, and is often styled as "Park & Ride" in marketing. In Sweden , a tax has been introduced on the benefit of free or cheap parking paid by an employer, if workers would otherwise have to pay. The tax has reduced
1512-663: The Astor Park development by Lower.com Field . The route may also connect to Dublin, Ohio . As opposed to the CMAX bus service, the bus line will aim for "true" bus rapid transit amenities, including dedicated traffic lanes, pedestrian-friendly features, and shelters with fare machines for fast boarding. Federal funding was announced for the northwest and east–west corridors in November 2020, to be released in 2023 and 2024. In February 2021, after considering light rail and BRT for
1566-672: The C-Pass employee program can use a mobile app or dedicated swipe card to board free. Riders eligible to receive special IDs giving them discount fares include people over the age of 65, people with certain disabilities, Medicare cardholders, and qualified veterans. Children under the age of 12 who are 4 feet tall or taller are eligible for discount pricing. Children below 4 ft (1.22 m) ride for free with fare-paying rider; limit three children. Students of Ohio State University , Capital University , Columbus College of Art and Design , and Columbus City Schools can swipe their student ID cards to board for free. COTA's summer youth pass
1620-562: The COTA Connector system for fare payments. The system includes a smart card that is available for purchase and refills, and a digital wallet through a smartphone app, allowing the use of displayed QR codes to pay when boarding buses. In 2020, COTA reported 19.1 million riders in 2019, the system's highest ridership since 1988. Ridership had been steadily increasing over several decades, due to rising gas prices, COTA's bus network redesign, and other improvements. In March 2020, as
1674-576: The COTA Transit (South) Terminal. The agency also operates 25 park and ride facilities. COTA's Mobility Services Facility is located at 1330 Fields Avenue in Columbus. COTA's Mainstream demand-response program moved into the then-new, sustainable 104,000-square-foot (9,700 m ) facility in January 2011. The paratransit facility houses all of its operations, maintenance, and administration in
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1728-784: The COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2021, COTA announced that the service will not return. COTA Plus, stylized as COTA//PLUS, is a microtransit service in Grove City and northeast Franklin County . The service enables people to use a mobile app or call COTA's customer service to arrange a trip within service zones created for Grove City and northeast Franklin County. Fares are different than fixed-route COTA services, with single fares at $ 3, day passes at $ 6, and weekly passes at $ 20. C-Pass holders, university students, children, and those with discount IDs receive free or reduced fares relative to their eligibility for other COTA services. The service
1782-437: The City of Columbus operated a temporary busway on Third Street in downtown Columbus from July 22 to August 2, 2019 in an area heavily congested during rush hour. The results were significantly decreased travel times, the average dropping over two minutes from Long Street to Noble Street. The project was inspired by the city of Boston converting a bike lane and on-street parking into a temporary busway. Also in 2019, COTA introduced
1836-592: The Franklin County Emergency Operations Center, COTA provides transit for emergency services workers like Columbus police and firefighters, evacuating victims of flooding, fires, and other emergencies, and as a cooling center and warming center for firefighters in emergencies. Recent emergency actions have included transport of police during the George Floyd protests and transit service as an essential operation during
1890-563: The Netherlands, many English terms appear in the Dutch language, and "Kiss & Ride" is one of them. Park and ride schemes do not necessarily involve public transport. They can be provided to reduce the number of cars on the road by promoting carpooling , vanpooling , and carsharing . Partly because of the concentration of riders, and thus a reduced number of vehicles, these park and ride terminals often have express transit services into
1944-784: The Northwest Corridor, will be built on Olentangy River Road, which follows the Olentangy River northwest from the Arena District and Downtown Columbus. In Downtown Columbus, it will follow Long and Spring Streets to the COTA Transit Terminal on Rich Street. The route connects numerous medical offices, corporate buildings, and entertainment centers. Notable among these are OhioHealth, the Ohio State University , Lennox Town Center, and
1998-489: The addition of the CBUS free downtown circulator, which ran from 2014 until 2020, its AirConnect airport service in 2016, and the CMAX bus rapid transit service in 2018. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic , the agency dealt with declining ridership and staffing, and cut services in response. COTA nevertheless plans to operate several bus rapid transit lines in development in the near future. Prior to COTA's founding, bus service in
2052-488: The agency began "dynamic service" to pick up customers left at bus stops by too-full buses; the agency's current policy is for a maximum of 20 passengers per bus. On March 28, a COTA bus operator tested positive for the virus. On March 30, COTA suspended service on routes 21, 25, and 35. On April 7, a second driver tested positive for the disease. On the 11th, the agency announced it will require passengers to wear face masks. On April 27, following further route reductions and
2106-494: The area was managed by the privately owned Columbus Transit Company (CTC). In 1971 the CTC was in the midst of budget problems, so in order to maintain bus service in the area, the local governments of central Ohio created COTA. COTA acquired the assets from the CTC on January 1, 1974 and began operations the same day. COTA acquired the CTC bus service for $ 4.8 million. In mid-1974 COTA established its Park & Ride program and sets up
2160-416: The beginning and height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A variety of buses make up COTA's fleet. As of 2020 there are 492 vehicles in operation: 212 hybrid or CNG buses, 109 diesel-fueled buses, 12 COTA Plus vehicles, 74 COTA Mainstream vehicles, and 85 COTA Mainstream On-Demand vehicles. In June 2010 COTA introduced six hybrid buses, which offered a 48 percent increase in fuel efficiency over its diesel buses,
2214-513: The decade; first they will apply for federal funds, a process that can take years. Central Ohio Transit Authority [REDACTED] The Central Ohio Transit Authority ( COTA / ˈ k oʊ t ə / ) is a public transit agency serving the Columbus metropolitan area , headquartered in Columbus, Ohio . It operates fixed-route buses , bus rapid transit , microtransit , and paratransit services. COTA's headquarters are located in
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2268-591: The decision to move forward with the transition to CNG and updated existing plans for the renovation of the McKinley Operations facility to include CNG compatible modifications. COTA completed a $ 76 million renovation of its McKinley Avenue Fixed-Route Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility. The 400,000 sq ft (37,000 m ) facility is the larger and older (completed in 1974) of its two fixed-route operations facilities. In May 2013, COTA began operating its first set of CNG buses. The transition to
2322-574: The first routes at area shopping centers. At that time, cash fares were 50 cents. In 1975, COTA launched the Key Card program, which provided a discount fare for those passengers with disabilities. By the summer of 1976, COTA had established 50 bus shelters. In 1977, COTA started the Commuter Club that offered unlimited riding for $ 20 a month. One of the first express bus services, the Beeline,
2376-462: The main urban area are often suffixed with "Parkway", such as Bristol Parkway , Tiverton Parkway , and Oxford Parkway . At Luton Airport Parkway and Southampton Airport Parkway , the stations are there to serve air as well as road passengers. In the United States , it is common for outlying rail stations to include automobile parking, often with hundreds of spaces. B & R (B + R) is
2430-583: The next buses to arrive. The CBUS was a free downtown circulator traveled along High Street between the Brewery District and German Village north through the Short North . The service had uniquely branded 30-foot buses stopping at round "CBUS" signs. The service operated every 10–15 minutes, seven days per week. The service began operation on May 5, 2014, and was ended in March 2020 during
2484-597: The number of workers driving into the inner city, and increased the usage of park and ride areas, especially in Stockholm . The introduction of a congestion tax in Stockholm has further increased the usage of park and ride. In Prague , park and ride parking lots are established near some metro and railway stations (about 17 parks near 12 metro stations and 3 train stations, in 2011). These parking lots offer low prices and all-day and return (2× 75 min) tickets including
2538-428: The program further. In July 2019, the agency's customer service center at its headquarters closed for renovations. The project involved creating a larger, more inviting space, installing new ticket machines and a large display with transit information, and redesigning part of the building's exterior. The agency opened the new Customer Experience Center in November 2019. In the first "tactical urbanism" project COTA and
2592-575: The public transport fare. Park and ride facilities allow commuters to avoid a stressful drive along congested roads and a search for scarce, expensive city-centre parking. They may well reduce congestion by assisting the use of public transport in congested urban areas. There is not much research on the pros and cons of park and ride schemes. It has been suggested that there is "a lack of clear-cut evidence for park and ride's widely assumed impact in reducing congestion". Park and ride facilities help commuters who live beyond practical walking distance from
2646-701: The railway station or bus stop. They may also suit commuters with alternative fuel vehicles , which often have reduced range, when the facility is closer to home than the ultimate destination. They also are useful as a fixed meeting place for those carsharing or carpooling or using "kiss and ride" (see below). Also, some transit operators use park and ride facilities to encourage more efficient driving practices by reserving parking spaces for low emission designs , high-occupancy vehicles , or carsharing. Many park and rides have passenger waiting areas and/or toilets. Travel information , such as leaflets and posters, may be provided. At larger facilities, extra services such as
2700-402: The rapid transit route, LinkUS chose BRT. It cited a lower construction and operation cost while maintaining many benefits of light rail. In June 2021, the design process started as the city approved a $ 4.5 million contract to TransSystems Corp.; $ 3.75 million of this is from COTA and the rest is contributed by the city. COTA and city officials want construction on the line to start by the end of
2754-458: The words that read "temporary pick-up and drop-off zone". Kiss and Rides are getting popular in Poland . Cities with such areas include Wrocław (since October 2011), Kraków (since 15 November 2013), Warsaw (since 2016), and Toruń (since 2016). Locally they are known by their English name, i.e. "Kiss and ride" and while the sign is non-standardized, all of them contain the letters K+R. In
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#17327874720322808-459: Was created with $ 50 million in funding, primarily from the federal government. It was created to help reduce traffic congestion on Cleveland Avenue and bring economic activity to the area in and around Linden, a low-income neighborhood. The BRT line is the most modern in the transit system, with low-floor CNG buses painted red and blue, each with USB ports, and with bus shelters at each stop, many with local art and real-time countdown clocks, displaying
2862-650: Was first launched in Grove City in July 2019, and expanded with a three-month pilot to the northeast portion of Columbus and Franklin County in May 2020, following service reductions due to the 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic. COTA is directed by the Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security agency to act as the county's primary transportation agency during emergencies. Through this longstanding agreement, on direction from
2916-462: Was introduced in 1979 giving passengers a speedy ride up and down High Street. That same year, planning began on COTA's 400,000-square-foot (37,000 m ) operations center on McKinley Ave. In 1992, a 24-hour pass was introduced to allow riders unlimited trips to local and crosstown routes provided by COTA's new lift-equipped buses. From 2007 to 2008, the agency removed all exterior advertisements from its buses, citing diminishing ad revenue and desiring
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