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COTA updates LinkUs rollout: more service, BRT corridors and sidewalk expansion announced
Summary
COTA said it has increased late-night service, reported ridership gains and provided design milestones for the first three Bus Rapid Transit corridors under the LinkUs plan.
Monica Telles Fowler, chief executive of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), gave an operational update on LinkUs and described steps the agency has taken since voters approved a sales-tax-funded transit plan.
"We are talking about 45% more service," Fowler said, describing LinkUs—s core goals of more frequent service, expanded hours and dedicated bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors. "As an update, we extended our service to midnight lineup. That means our service ends about 01:30, 02:00 in the morning now."
Why it matters: Speakers said increased frequency, longer hours and dedicated BRT lanes will expand access to jobs and lower transportation costs for households, and that successful implementation depends on workforce capacity and parallel investments in sidewalks and bike infrastructure.
Fowler provided program milestones and service metrics: 90% design on the West Broad corridor, 60% on East Main, and about 30% on the Northwest corridor; year-over-year ridership increases (noted as 17% month-over-month in May after the service-hour extension and about 8.5% year-to-date from 2024 to 2025); and plans for minimally five BRT corridors with dedicated guideways. "BRT stands for Bus Rapid Transit," Fowler said. "It—s light rail on wheels. We have dedicated guideways, platform level boarding ... All fare payment happens off board."
Fowler also highlighted non-vehicle investments tied to LinkUs: "more sidewalks, it's 500 plus miles of new sidewalks, protected bike paths, and trails," she said, connecting pedestrian and bicycle access to effective transit use.
Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorns and other panelists credited COTA with workforce and labor steps needed to expand service. Dorns noted a renewed focus on making COTA an "employer of choice" to ensure there are enough drivers and maintenance staff to operate increased service.
No formal decisions were made at the panel; panelists said LinkUs implementation will require continued public engagement and alignment across jurisdictions.
