The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is currently studying the feasibility of a new Downtown circulator route that would better connect The Short North, Arena District, Convention Center, Gay Street, Columbus Commons, German Village and Brewery District areas. The buses on the circulator route would be specially branded, run in high frequencies and offer reduced fare rates — or potentially be free to riders — to encourage short travel distances.
Public input on the proposed circulator will be sought at multiple events next week.
“We will present information about what a circulator service is; explain the characteristics of a proposed service, and then, solicit public comments and suggestions and answer questions,” said Marty Stutz, VP of Communications at COTA. “After considering the various components involved in preparing for this type of service, our planning staff has proposed May 2014 for this service change.”
COTA operated a similar system in the 90s called “COTA Link” which offered a 25 cent shuttle bus through Downtown. Stutz says that service was different as it only ran midday for lunch commuters, while the new proposed circulator would operate the entire day to serve riders of all types.
The proposed route would run from Buttles Avenue in the Short North to Sycamore Street in German Village, and would run north-south either entirely on High Street or paired on High and Front Streets, offering a route somewhat similar to COTA’s #21 Night Owl weekend service, which just expanded to Thursday nights this week.
Those interested in attending public input sessions can find details on those meetings, HERE.
For ongoing discussion and updates on the Downtown Circulator, CLICK HERE to visit our messageboard.
More information can be found at www.cota.com.
Brent Warren contributed to this story.