COTA to participate in downtown employee transit program
Known as CPASS, the program was conceived by the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District, in partnership with SID property owners, employers, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, and COTA.
The effort represents the first time property owners have assessed themselves to pay for transit access, according to Capital Crossroads research.
COTA
1 min to read
The effort represents the first time property owners have assessed themselves to pay for transit access, according to Capital Crossroads research.
COTA
Columbus’ Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) board of trustees approved COTA’s participation in an innovative downtown employee transit access program. Known as CPASS, the program was conceived by the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District (SID), in partnership with SID property owners, employers, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), and COTA.
Over 31 months, COTA will be paid a minimum fee of $4.5 million to offer 45,000 eligible downtown workers access to COTA service. The fee will be paid by $1.3 million in self-assessments by SID property owners, $2.8 million from MORPC, and $400,000 from other contributors.
“We are thrilled to move forward with this innovative approach to boosting ridership,” said COTA Interim President/CEO Emille Williams. “This program also has great potential to promote economic development in our vibrant downtown.”
Williams attended an American Public Transportation Association conference recently, where CPASS was hailed as a forward-thinking program by transit system executives from around the country.
The effort represents the first time property owners have assessed themselves to pay for transit access, according to Capital Crossroads research.
The innovative program will complement the revitalization of Downtown Columbus most notably by reducing demand for parking and reducing office vacancy rates.
The tour reflects LIT’s commitment to supporting professional growth, collaboration, and opportunity for individuals at all career stages within the transit industry, according to LIT officials.
Curated and facilitated by transportation industry leaders, LITLA provides a high-quality, structured learning experience that combines theoretical knowledge, professional networking, and practical leadership application.
Drawing on decades of industry experience, Evans-Benson offered insights into the differences between the two, along with tips for better customer engagement and more.
METRO Executive Editor Alex Roman presented the award to the operation’s President/CEO Scott Parsons at the United Motorcoach Association’s EXPO in Birmingham, Alabama.
The brand strategy was developed based on input from RTA board members, staff, and stakeholders, along with secondary research conducted over a months-long process.
In close coordination with regional partners including Caltrain and BART, the agency ensured convenient interagency connections and seamless transfers for game-day passengers.
Because rail has high fixed costs and low marginal savings, it is impossible to close the projected FY27 $376M deficit with service cuts and fare increases alone, said agency officials.
The total ridership includes all fixed-route bus service, C-VAN paratransit service, The Current, Vanpool, and special event service. Almost all individual routes saw year-over-year increases from 2024 to 2025.
