2025 Annual Report
In 2025, COTA introduced new tools and policies designed to remove barriers, expand access and make transit easier for everyone in Central Ohio.
Community
Artist Passes
In 2025, COTA launched new single-use Day and 31-Day Passes designed for nonprofit and community organizations, and turned each one into a piece of art. Each pass features original artwork by a Columbus-based artist, celebrating the creativity and spirit of our community.
These passes, available only to nonprofits and community organizations, are given at no cost or purchased at a discounted rate to support their vital work by making public transit more accessible to the individuals and families they serve. Designed for ease, each pass uses tap-and-go technology so riders simply tap the validator when boarding for a faster, smoother experience.
Artist: Arial Peguero
Artist: Bee1ne
Artist: Khalia Carr
Artist: Marshall L Shorts
Move your way
with tap to pay
In late 2025, COTA piloted Tap to Pay, allowing customers to purchase fares by tapping a credit card, debit card or digital wallet from a smartphone or smartwatch. Tap to Pay eliminates the need to carry cash or load a card in advance, speeds up boarding and ensures the best fare rate through fare capping, in which customers pay no more than $4.50 per day or $62 per calendar month.
COTA tested the new method in fall 2025 and officially launched it to all customers in early 2026. Customers can still use all existing payment methods, including the Transit app, Smartcards, passes and cash, making Tap to Pay just one more way to move your way.
Keeping Riders Safe
In Extreme Weather
When temperatures threaten safety, transit should never be a barrier. In January 2025, the COTA Board of Trustees unanimously approved a policy to waive fares during extreme heat and cold, ensuring no one risks their health because they can't afford bus fare.
COTA waives fares when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory or extreme heat warning, or a cold advisory or extreme cold warning. The policy applies to all fixed-route, Mainstream and COTA//Plus services. Throughout 2025, COTA activated this policy nearly a dozen times, providing free access to cooling centers, warming shelters, libraries and anywhere else riders needed to go to stay safe.
This new policy is part of COTA's commitment to providing access during all extreme weather, including the organization's long-time policy of providing free fares during Level 2 and Level 3 snow emergencies.
11
Days of free service during extreme weather in 2025
New policies and technology are just part of the story. See how COTA delivered measurable results and continued building for Central Ohio's future.
