COTA Mainstream Trip Booking Available For Customers; Update on COTA Services During I.T. Network Outage
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is providing an update on transit services available to customers. COTA’s IT network remains offline after COTA learned an outside entity accessed the network. To protect COTA’s employees and customers, COTA took the proactive approach of taking all IT systems offline, and the incident remains under investigation.
COTA wants to assure the public that our fixed-route, COTA Mainstream, COTA Mainstream On-Demand, and COTA//Plus service continue during regular operating hours.
COTA Mainstream
The COTA Mainstream customer service number is now in service and customers can call 614-272-3033 to book trips. Customers can also check the status of their ride by calling 614-272-3007. Customer service hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Due to high call volume, customers can expect higher than usual wait times. COTA Mainstream is a paratransit service for eligible ADA customers and seniors.
Customer Care Center
The COTA Customer Care Center is back in service to assist transit customers. The Customer Care Center is open on weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The number is 614-228-1776. Due to high call volume, customers can expect higher than usual wait times.
Due to COTA’s continued IT network outage, Customer Care Advocates cannot provide exact bus arrival times based on GPS, however, they can help customers plan transit trips and provide information about bus schedules and planned arrival times. Also, customers can plan trips and view schedules on COTA.com/schedules or the Transit app.
COTA.com
A temporary COTA.com website is now online to provide assistance. Customers can view transit schedules and get information on frequently asked questions.
January Service Change Canceled
To ensure minimal transit service disruption, COTA will not implement the January Service Change scheduled for January 2, 2023. This means all fixed-route transit lines will continue on their current schedules through at least May 1, 2023, when the next service change is scheduled. Customers can continue to use the current transit schedules available at COTA.com/schedules.
Holiday Service
As previously planned, COTA will operate Holiday Transit Service on Monday, December 26, and Monday, January 2 to observe Christmas and New Year’s Day, respectively. This is to allow many of our dedicated frontline employees time with their families. When COTA operates Holiday Service, all transit lines operate on Sunday schedules. The COTA Customer Care Center is closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day and reopens the following day during regular hours.
COTA Mainstream service operates on Christmas and New Year’s Day and the reservation line is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COTA Plus operates in the South Columbus zone on Christmas and New Year’s Day from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is no service in the Westerville and Grove City zones on those days.
Winter Weather
COTA continues to monitor the winter weather moving into Central Ohio overnight. We advise our customers to prepare by dressing warmly and in brightly colored clothing before going to their transit stops as driver visibility could be reduced. The inclement weather is slowing travel so expect delays this holiday weekend. Also, the Franklin County Sheriff has declared a Level 2 Snow Emergency, so there are no fares on any COTA transit vehicles for the remainder of Friday, December 23.
