Ridership up for Central Ohio Transit
Provided more than 17 million rides in 2010 and is on pace to provide over 18 million rides in 2011. On an average weekday last week, COTA provided over 62,000 rides, which was 15.8 percent higher than in 2010. It was also the 15th consecutive week of increased ridership this year.
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has seen an 8.6 percent increase in ridership as of early August, compared to 2010, and 10.3 percent compared to 2009.
For the week ending August 7, alone, ridership spiked 15.5 percent over the same week in 2010, with a total weekly ridership of 352,229.
COTA provided more than 17 million rides in 2010 and is on pace to provide over 18 million rides in 2011. On an average weekday last week, COTA provided over 62,000 rides, which was 15.8 percent higher than in 2010. It was also the 15th consecutive week of increased ridership this year.
COTA officials attributed much of the increases earlier in the year to surging gas prices. However, as fuel prices have retreated, ridership has continued to grow.
"People are continuing to try public transit," said Bill Lhota, COTA President/CEO. "We are especially pleased that once they realize using COTA results in significant cost savings when compared to driving, they remain transit customers."
More Bus
Frontrunner Bus Group Expands with New Massachusetts Headquarters
The significantly larger facility will provide the infrastructure needed to support the company’s growing workforce, advanced technologies, and expanding product line.
Read More →
Joshua Schank on Transportation Innovation, Risk, and the Future of Mobility
In this edition of METROspectives, Joshua Schank discusses lessons from launching LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation, the challenges of advancing new mobility technologies, and much more.
Read More →
Reinventing Fleet Maintenance with Real-time Visibility and AI
Transit leaders need to know what needs fixing, where to look, who is responsible, when work is completed, and what it costs without having to chase information across disconnected systems.
Read More →
SamTrans Sets Priorities for Potential Connect Bay Area Revenue
The board-approved framework allocates future funding to maintaining service, rider improvements, equity initiatives, and infrastructure repairs.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →
Photo Highlights from APTA's 2026 Mobility Conference
The photo gallery captures scenes from the conference, including the International Bus Roadeo, exhibit hall activities, the Bus Showcase, and much more.
Read More →
Chicago's NITA Act Moves Into Next Phase as Service Improvements Begin
Rider-focused improvements will begin rolling out across the system immediately as CTA, Metra, and Pace increase service this summer in the six-county region.
Read More →
Philadelphia's SEPTA Approves Annual Transit Service Plan
Between 2021 and 2024, SEPTA held more than 200 public meetings — including 144 in-person sessions — throughout the SEPTA service region.
Read More →
A True Low-Floor Minibus Design Delivers Better Accessibility and Efficiency for Everyone
As transit demands evolve, so should your fleet. Download the whitepaper to see how the Low-Floor Frontrunner Minibus compares to traditional options.
Read More →
WMATA Debuts 'Fares Pay for Service' Awareness Campaign
The campaign was highlighted during a media event at the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring, where WMATA’s GM/CEO Randy Clarke joined Metro Transit Police officers, WMATA management team, board members, and staff to expand fare enforcement and customer education efforts on Metro Bus routes throughout the region.
Read More →