The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Board of Trustees today unanimously adopted a $196.5 million operating budget focused on investing in COTA’s employees and continuing to improve transit service for the Columbus Region. Presented to the board by Chief Financial Officer Erin W. Delffs, the 2023 budget proposes almost 1.2 million transit service hours in anticipation of a continued increase in ridership.

The 2024 operating budget includes:

• Investment in employee recruitment, retention, and expanded benefits.
• Funding to increase service hours and the anticipation of nearly a 3% growth in ridership.
• Investment in process improvement and technology infrastructure to provide better customer service and protect employees and transit customers

“Conservative budgeting over the years continues to put COTA in a strong financial position to serve our community,” said COTA Board of Trustees Chair Marlon Moore. “This budget makes it clear that COTA prioritizes the continued recruitment of new frontline workers and the retention our all our valued employees.”

“COTA’s 2024 budget continues to demonstrate our people-first philosophy of supporting our outstanding employees and customers who take millions of trips each year,” said COTA President/CEO Joanna M. Pinkerton. “I am grateful for the support of the COTA Board of Trustees as we further invest in building our workforce, improving access to sustainable, equitable and modern transit options as well as continuing the focus on building a system that connects our customers to economic and social prosperity for years to come.”