COTA, Groveport and Obetz Celebrate Launch of Rickenbacker Transit Service

On Oct. 14, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), city of Groveport and village of Obetz welcomed more than 70 elected officials, business leaders and community members to a ribbon cutting at the Eddie Bauer Service Center celebrating the launch of Groveport Rickenbacker Employee Access Transit (GREAT) service.

GREAT is a shuttle service operated by the city of Groveport with support from the village of Obetz and Rickenbacker-area businesses. The service shares bus stops with COTA and provides last-mile transit for employees between these stops and nearly 21,000 jobs located in the area.

Speakers included: Steve Venegas, vice president of distribution North America, Eddie Bauer; Lynn Aspey, director of business relations, Jewish Family Services; Curtis Stitt, president/CEO, COTA; Thea Walsh, director of transportation systems and funding, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission; D. Greg Scott, mayor, village of Obetz; and Lance Westcamp, mayor, city of Groveport.

“COTA strives to enhance the connectivity of our region, and this partnership allows us to work together with Groveport and Obetz to connect job seekers with jobs,” said Stitt. “Public transit is key to workforce and economic development in our community.”

“I’ve heard over and over again that recruiting employees and getting them to work is at the top of the list of needs for our businesses,” said Westcamp. “That’s why the city decided to take the bull by the horns. We owed it to our businesses. We quickly realized that we couldn’t do it alone and we found amazing partners in COTA and Parking Solutions. We’re also happy to have Obetz join us in this effort, making this a regional initiative.”

“I would like to give the businesses of Rickenbacker a challenge today,” said Aspey. “You will need to assist us in educating your employees on the benefits of riding the bus and using the GREAT service. Your employees will have more disposable income using this service, as well as reliable and safe transportation to work.”