Latest news with #LinkUs
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LinkUs progress: Construction for some bike, pedestrian paths slated to begin next year
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has released an update on the progress of LinkUs, including plans to begin construction on multiple bike and pedestrian pathways in 2026. Central Ohio voters passed Issue 47 in November, a levy that is helping fund Columbus' initiative with COTA to modernize its public transportation options. The 25-year plan, called LinkUs, is striving to create a Bus Rapid Transit system, which entails dedicated bus lanes and more frequent service. It also aims to install a total of about 500 miles of sidewalks, bike paths and trails. Lawmakers clash over Ohio bill to ban therapy for minors without parent consent Collections of revenue raised by the levy began in April, and COTA released its first LinkUs Progress Report in May, sharing how the transportation project is moving forward. The organization stated it will release the reports three times per year, in January, May and September. In March, the COTA Board of Trustees approved funding for the first phase of bike and pedestrian routes, including 83 projects that will help create 150 miles of pathways throughout COTA's service area over the next five years, the report said. Work on 11 of those projects is slated to begin next year. The projects commencing in 2026 can be found below, alongside their jurisdictions. Eastmoor Green Line (Columbus): The construction of a linear park and trail along an abandoned rail corridor. Cooke Road (Franklin County): The construction of a shared-use path and the improvement of road crossings between Karl Road and Cleveland Avenue. Minerva Lake Road (Minerva Park): The construction of a shared-use path connecting Cleveland Avenue to the existing Alum Creek Trail and the planned Linden Green Line. Brooksedge Business Park Mobility Project (Westerville): The construction of shared-use paths, sidewalks and crossings in the park. Shier Rings Road (Washington Township): The closure of a gap in an existing shared-use path. Big Walnut Trail (Columbus): The construction of a new segment of the trail between Winchester Pike and Refugee Road. Linden Green Line (Columbus): The construction of a linear park and trail along an abandoned rail corridor. Eakin Road (Columbus): The construction of a shared-use path. West Broad Street (Columbus): The construction of a shared-use path alongside the West Broad Bus Rapid Transit corridor. McComb Road (Franklin County): The construction of a sidewalk on McComb Road, providing a connection over Interstate 270. McDowell Road Diet (Grove City): The construction of a shared-use path and bike lines. The LinkUs plan aims to create all 500 miles of the planned pathways by 2050. The report also detailed the latest timelines for the construction of the first three Bus Rapid Transit corridors. Construction is expected to begin for the West Broad line in 2026, with community members possibly seeing utility work and other pre-construction activities as soon as fall 2025. The corridor is expected to be operational by 2028. The East Main corridor is currently in the design phase and is expected to be open for service in 2029. The Northwest line is also in the design phase and is expected to begin running in 2031, according to the report. COTA also stated it began to deliver on the LinkUs promise to provide more service to customers in May, when it made the change to extend its hours past midnight on most of its lines Mondays through Saturdays. The organization called this the 'first step toward becoming a 24-hour transit system.' The LinkUs progress report was completed by COTA and multiple of its partners, including the City of Columbus, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, and the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. The full May 2025 report can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
COTA expands late-night service in Columbus, moving towards 24-hour transit
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The City of Columbus and COTA leaders announced Friday its taking another step toward becoming a 24-hour transit system and are now expanding its late-night service past midnight. COTA used to offer the midnight service before the pandemic, but for the first time in five years, they've brought it back. 'This is the first step towards fulfilling the promises we've made, and it starts with really expanding and improving our current service,' said Monica Tellez-Fowler, CEO of COTA. CEO of COTA, Monica Tellez-Fowler, and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin wore their 'Midnight in Motion' shirts to make this announcement. 'Think about the single parent who gets off after midnight, the nurse coming home from the hospital, the young entrepreneur who works late. This is for them. We see you and we're making improvements to support your schedule,' said Tellez-Fowler. This late-night expansion is one of the first tangible moves from the LinkUs initiative, a 25-year plan. This past November, voters approved the comprehensive mobility and growth strategy plan. The initiative helps position COTA to become a 24-hour transit system. Boy back home after recovering from severe dog attack 'This is what Central Ohio Transit is now going forward, and we look to expand more,' said Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin. With the passing of Issue 47, it will increase COTA's total share of sales tax from 0.5% to 1%. That sales tax increase began in April. The LinkUS initiative will expand COTA's services and create more than 500 miles of bike paths, sidewalks, and trails across Franklin County by 2050. 'We get to now have a first-rate, top-of-the-line transit system that serves all of our residents throughout our community,' said Hardin. This late-night expansion will include most downtown lines. Lines 1 through 11 and CMAX will have lineups available at 10 pm, 11 pm, and midnight. Additionally, 17 crosstown lines will now operate past midnight to better connect customers across the region. 'It was always about people, making sure that they had access and opportunities to get to where they need to go, be that nighttime activities or work or back home,' said Hardin. These changes will only take place Monday through Saturday. According to COTA, Sunday evening hours will remain unchanged for now. These late-night hours begin this Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
COTA board approves study regarding making bus system free
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Central Ohio Transit Authority has commissioned a study to examine making the bus system free to use. The COTA Board of Trustees voted at an April 14 meeting to approve a contract with the California-based consulting company Four Nines Technologies to conduct a 'No Fare Feasibility Study' for a cost not exceeding $319,946. York Steak House in Columbus hailed as having the nation's best steaks The study will examine the potential impacts of making the transit system completely free to use, or making rides free for certain groups, according to a resolution passed by the board. A standard bus ride costs $2, but fares may be cheaper or free for certain riders, such as children and students. 'COTA continues to receive questions from the community about the feasibility of moving from a transit system that charges customers fares to a system that charges zero fares or creates zero fare opportunities for identified groups,' the resolution reads. 'To provide meaningful, well-researched data to support answers to community questions, COTA must perform a deeper analysis of the long-term sustainability of a substantial change to the fare system.' Fares make up about 17% of COTA's operating funds, according to the agency's 2023-2027 Short Range Transit Plan. The study will begin on May 1 and conclude on Dec. 31. It will be paid for through the External Relations Division's operating budget for 2025, specifically with local funds, which includes income from sales tax revenue and fares. Fast food chain Culver's plans new location in central Ohio The study will analyze six specific areas, including the financial implications of transitioning to a no-fare or partial-fare system, potential needed changes to current operations, how underserved communities would be impacted, what technology would be needed for the transition, feedback from key stakeholders, and laws that may impact the change. The completion of the study will not guarantee COTA will go fare free. The transit system has considered the idea before, when it commissioned a similar study from the law firm IceMiller in 2020. That study was conducted amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and before voters approved LinkUs, a plan to modernize and expand COTA's current system through rapid transit lines, extended walkways and more. The 2020 analysis noted other cities that switched to a fare-free system – including Denver and Olympia, Washington — saw increased ridership. Jeff Pullin, COTA's director of public and media relations, said he does not have any further information about the study to share at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
