Last July, COTA floated the idea of adding several articulated (bendy) hybrid buses to their fleet in order to support several of their busiest routes. They applied for federal grant money to purchase six buses, but it was not approved. One hurdle for implementing these buses may disappear at City Hall tonight as Councilmember Hearcel Craig is sponsoring an ordinance that will allow COTA to operate these longer buses within city limits.
Currently the standard 40-foot COTA buses are the largest that are allowed to be operated in the city of Columbus. With this bit of City Code amendend, it could mean COTA may be looking to fast-track the addition of new articulated buses, or may be re-applying for grants. Do you think we could see these new buses on the streets by the end of 2009?
Press Release / Columbus City Council Highlights Feb 9, 2009 –
COUNCIL SUPPORTING EFFICIENT MASS TRANSIT: Public Serve & Transportation Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 1883-2008 to amend the Columbus City Code to allow the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to operate articulated buses within Columbus. COTA has begun increasing service by approximately 10% per year to meet regional transit service needs. COTA’s current Short Range Transit Plan includes increasing service frequency on local routes, operating service longer in the day, and extending service into currently unserved areas. Overcrowding on main local routes has required that most service expansion focus upon providing relief to these routes, which limited COTA’s ability to expand service to new areas. The acquisition of articulated buses will provide relief to overcrowded buses and facilitate assignment of other buses to service expansion. The Transportation & Pedestrian Commission previously voted to recommend adoption of the ordinance.