COTA Approves $320K Study – Considers Making Columbus Bus Rides Fare-Free
Columbus, OH – The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has taken a bold step toward transforming public transportation in Columbus. At a recent board meeting on April 14, COTA approved a $320,000 contract with Four Nine Technologies to conduct a No Fare Feasibility Study—a comprehensive review to determine whether offering fare-free bus rides is viable for the region.
Currently, a standard COTA fare costs $2, with discounts available for eligible riders. However, with evolving ridership habits, economic challenges, and a push for greater accessibility, the idea of free public transit is once again gaining traction.
Why Another Study?
This is not the first time COTA has explored the possibility of eliminating fares. A similar study was carried out in 2020 by IceMiller, but the circumstances then were quite different. The earlier research was conducted during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when ridership numbers plummeted and commuter behavior changed dramatically.
COTA spokesperson Jeff Pullin emphasized the need for updated data:
“Things have obviously changed, including ridership and rider habits. That’s why COTA is commissioning a new study.”
How Is It Being Funded?
The feasibility study comes on the heels of the November approval of the LinkUs Transit Plan, which increased COTA’s share of the regional sales tax from 0.5% to 1%. The additional funding is aimed at expanding service hours, introducing new rapid bus lines, and improving transportation infrastructure such as sidewalks and bike paths.
Still, the LinkUs plan currently relies on passenger fares as part of its funding model, which makes the feasibility of removing fares a critical question.
What’s at Stake?
From 2019 to 2023, passenger fares made up about 17% of COTA’s revenue, according to its most recent Short-Range Transit Plan. Eliminating fares would mean identifying alternative revenue sources to maintain service quality and expansion goals.
Advocates argue that fare-free systems increase ridership, improve access for low-income residents, and reduce conflicts between passengers and drivers. Jesse Vogel, a Columbus City Council candidate for District 7, is among those pushing for zero-fare transit:
“Even a $2 fare is too much for some families. By expanding fare-free services, we can boost ridership, support economic equity, and improve safety.”
Although the city council doesn’t directly control COTA, it does appoint a majority of its Board of Trustees.
With this new study underway, the possibility of making Columbus’ public buses free to ride is back on the table—sparking important conversations about the future of urban mobility in Central Ohio.
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