It’s always best to plan ahead, and COTA is. The Downtown Plan, part of COTA’s Transit System Redesign, will change how buses move in and out of downtown and central Columbus. Most buses that operate in the downtown area would be affected, with customers who travel or transfer along High Street seeing significant change. Luckily, COTA wants to hear from you. This week, you can offer public comment on the proposed Downtown Plan at a series of meetings, or you can visit their website and fill out a comment form.



The proposed Downtown Plan includes realigning some bus lines that operate primarily on High Street to Front, Third and Fourth streets; some lines will continue to operate on High Street. Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, CBUS and all Express lines would be affected. The plan also includes changes to bus stops - relocating some, discontinuing some, adding some and enhancing others.

These changes are intended to balance the needs of customers with the planned growth for Downtown Columbus. The hope is that reducing the number of buses traveling on High Street will result in reduced travel times through downtown. In addition, more riders will be routed through the Spring Street and Transit Terminal (on Rich Street), both of which have been upgraded with indoor waiting areas, ticket vending machines and other amenities.

Changes are expected to be implemented by May of 2017, though some may occur earlier during regularly scheduled service changes each January, May and September. No decisions have yet been finalized, so your input is genuinely welcomed. Open meetings will be held on:

June 9, noon, Rhodes State Office Tower, Lobby Hearing Room
June 10, noon, Franklin County Hall of Justice, Conference Room 3
June 12, noon, William Green Building, 30 W. Spring Street, Conference Room 2.

A final round of public meetings will be held this fall.