COTA’s Short-Range Transit Plan
Explore the insights, data and tools that guide our decisions and see how COTA is planning for the next chapter of mobility.
What Is COTA’s Short-Range Transit Plan (SRTP)?
COTA’s 2027–2031 Short-Range Transit Plan (SRTP) is a five-year roadmap for transit service investments throughout Central Ohio. The SRTP will define what, when and how each service investment occurs to help COTA deliver on the LinkUS vision within the agency’s available resources. COTA will use this roadmap to meet the needs of residents and businesses in Central Ohio.
COTA’s SRTP is scheduled for completion in spring 2026. The effort includes analyzing Central Ohio’s market for public transportation, its current services and service alternatives that explore different aspects of investment in the COTA system. These analyses and alternatives — along with feedback from riders and other key stakeholders — will inform service and capital investments through 2031.
Our Approach
We take a multi-pronged approach to evaluate our service:
- We hold meetings with customers, residents, Team COTA, municipalities and stakeholders
- Service planners and schedulers review the entire COTA system
- We collaboratively review our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
Why It Matters
The SRTP serves as a vital tool to:
- Assess our current operations
- Improve service for our customers
- Describe future transit enhancements
- Prioritize expenditures, service and funding to serve Central Ohio’s mobility needs
- Reinforce capital project priorities
Explore the Short-Range Transit Plan Dashboards
This dashboard brings together data and maps to help you explore transit needs and service across Central Ohio. You can see how population, jobs, travel patterns and existing COTA service come together to show where transit plays a role today and where there may be opportunities for the future.
Market Analysis
The Market Analysis takes an in-depth look at the market for public transit in our community.
Service Analysis
The Service Analysis explores how COTA’s existing services meet that demand.
Public Engagement
Public Engagement will highlight what we heard from riders, residents and community partners and how their input is shaping the future of COTA service.
Service Recommendations
Service Recommendations will bring together data and community feedback to outline potential improvements and priorities for future COTA service.
Short-Range Transit Plan 2027–2031 Project Timeline
COTA’s SRTP is part of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) process. Both the SRTP and TIP are updated every 2 years. You can learn more about the TIP process on MORPC’s website.
COTA’s SRTP is part of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) process. Both the SRTP and TIP are updated every 2 years. You can learn more about the TIP process on MORPC’s website.
Read Previous Short-Range Transit Plans
Learn more about COTA’s 2023–2027 Short-Range Transit Plan, which provides important context as we plan for 2027–2031. The full plan and supporting appendices are available below.
