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Improving Transit and Expanding Sidewalks, Trails and Bikeways

COTA is Modernizing Our Transit System Through LinkUS

Central Ohio is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, on track to reach 3.15 million residents by 2050. That’s nearly a million more people over the next 25 years. To address this growth, COTA is modernizing and expanding our transportation system through LinkUS. This transportation and growth plan — collaboratively created with the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and the Columbus Partnership — will expand COTA transit service and make historic investments into sidewalks, bikeways and trails throughout the region to create more walkable, connected communities and increase opportunity for all.

This modernized transit system will include:

45% more COTA service
New and improved sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and crosswalks
Construction of COTA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines
Bus station improvements, including microtransit options and amenities like platform-level boarding, heated platforms to melt snow and more
More COTA//Plus zones for on-demand transit

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Increasing Access

Today, the vast majority of people in the Central Ohio region drive alone for their commute and have a long trek to the nearest trailhead. COTA is creating more transportation options, increasing access to jobs, housing, greenspace and entertainment through the LinkUS initiative.

85.6% Drive Alone for Their Commute

That’s a lot of cars on our highways! In just 25 years, we’ll have 726,000 more people to move in our region. So how do we make it easier to navigate as we grow?

Our Plan for Transit >

13.6% Live Within a Half-mile Walk of a Trail

LinkUS will expand and connect trails — or as we like to call them, “greenways” — to create vibrant, green communities.

View the Corridors >

81,970 Jobs Within 40 Minutes Via Transit

The first three LinkUS projects — or “corridors” — will create access to more than 380,000 jobs!

View the Corridors >

94% of COTA riders walk to access transit

LinkUS will make it easier to walk, bike or scoot. by enhancing and connecting sidewalks and trails and building protected bikeways.

Our Plan for Pedestrians & Cyclists >

Expanding COTA Service Across Central Ohio

Through LinkUS, COTA will improve existing service with more frequency as well as expand their service offerings to link even more communities together.