The 15.6-mile route will serve customers every 10 minutes between Downtown Columbus and SR-161 during rush hours, with service to Polaris Parkway/Africa Road every 30 minutes.
Columbus’ Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) hosted a groundbreaking celebration for their CMAX Cleveland Avenue bus rapid transit (BRT) line.
The celebration, held at Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, included remarks from community leaders, and a ceremonial groundbreaking at the future location of a CMAX BRT station.
“We’re pleased to celebrate construction of CMAX, central Ohio’s first bus rapid transit line,” said COTA President/CEO W. Curtis Stitt. “The high-frequency service with improved travel times and upgraded customer amenities will enhance access to jobs, education and training opportunities, healthcare and other services in our community. CMAX will not only improve transportation in central Ohio, it has the potential to change lives.”
Launching in 2018, COTA’s first BRT line, CMAX, will connect more than 211,000 residents and 170,000 workers along Cleveland Avenue to jobs, healthcare and educational resources and encourage economic development in the corridor. The 15.6-mile route will serve customers every 10 minutes between Downtown Columbus and SR-161 during rush hours, with service to Polaris Parkway/Africa Road every 30 minutes.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.