COTA launches fourth COTA//PLUS zone in south Columbus

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) launched its fourth COTA//PLUS zone on Nov. 23, which brings new on-demand microtransit service to south Columbus.  

COTA//Plus is an app-based service that operates either as a point-to-point rideshare or as a connection to or from a COTA transit line. Customers in south Columbus can use COTA//Plus to travel in the 11-square-mile defined zone or use the service to connect to COTA Lines 4, 5, 8 and 22.

COTA//Plus South Columbus provides first-last mile connections for customers, connecting them to job centers, hospitals, community centers and schools.

“This is our fourth COTA//Plus zone launched in the past two years, and we are pleased to be expanding service in south Columbus, where our customers use transit frequently,” said COTA President/CEO Joanna M. Pinkerton. “This service will allow us to better connect residents to vital community services, jobs, education, food sources and health care. Team COTA is focused on doing our part to support the economic and social prosperity for every individual in ways we can contribute by improving equitable mobility options for everyone.”

COTA//Plus will serve more than a dozen neighborhoods in south Columbus including the Brewery District, Deshler Park, Driving Park, Garden Village, German Village, Green Acres, Hungarian Village, Innas Millbrook, Merion Village, Old Oaks, Reeb-Hosack, Southern Orchards, Stambaugh-Elwood and Vassor Village.

Customers can book trips on their smartphone through the COTA//Plus app. If they download the app, they must register as a user. After booking a trip, a COTA//Plus vehicle will arrive within 15 minutes to take them to their destination. The trip must begin and end within the defined zone in South Columbus. For those without smartphone/data access can also book COTA//Plus trips by calling (614) 308-4400.

All COTA//Plus operators are COTA employees, who receive best-in-class training and are subject to background checks upon hiring.

COTA//Plus South Side operates daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. COTA can comfortably seat six passengers but are temporarily transporting only two customers at a time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exceptions are made for families to travel together. All COTA//Plus transit vehicles are sanitized several times a day and customers and operators are required to wear masks while on board.

This is the fourth COTA//Plus service launched in Central Ohio in 16 months. COTA//Plus Grove City launched in July 2019 as a partnership with the City of Grove City. COTA//Plus Westerville launched in August in partnership with the city of Westerville and COTA//Plus Northeast is the first Bus On-Demand service in the United States and serves areas in Northeast Columbus, Gahanna, John Glenn International Airport and New Albany.