COLUMBUS, Ohio — Supplemental transportation is once again being offered to Columbus City School high school students from the Central Ohio Transit Authority for the 2023-24 school year.

What You Need To Know

  • This is the second year of the Educational Pass Program, providing unlimited access to COTA's fixed-route transit lines, COTA Mainstream and COTA/Plus On-Demand service at no charge for students

  • Students can board using their school-issues Student Success Cards and more than 13,000 CCS students will have unlimited access this school year

  • Last year, more than 3,600 CCS students used the COTA fixed-route service, accounting for more than 225,000 trips during the 2022-23 school year

  • All public-school systems and higher education institutions in COTA’s service area are eligible to participate in the Educational Pass Program

This is the second year of the Educational Pass Program, providing unlimited access to COTA's fixed-route transit lines, COTA Mainstream and COTA/Plus On-Demand service at no charge for students.

Students can board using their school-issues Student Success Cards and more than 13,000 CCS students will have unlimited access this school year.

“We are proud CCS and COTA have once again partnered to ensure high school students have an additional resource to get to class each day,” said COTA President/CEO Joanna M. Pinkerton in a news release. “Much of our transit lines are less than a few blocks from CCS high schools and this benefit also opens the door to opportunities outside the classroom as well. Even more importantly, this program helps students better understand how easy public transportation is to use and encourages them to consider transit as a viable option when they reach adulthood. Our growing partnership with CCS is a prime example of how critical service providers can work together to connect our younger generations to education, jobs, and prosperity.”

Last year, more than 3,600 CCS students used the COTA fixed-route service, accounting for more than 225,000 trips during the 2022-2023 school year. South Columbus students can also access COTA/Plus On-Demand service taking more than 2,800 trips last school year.

"We are delighted to sustain this valuable partnership," said Columbus City Schools Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman in a news release. "These passes serve as keys to choose, offering our students the freedom to embrace accessible alternative transportation for their journey to and from school, should they choose to use it, seamlessly engage in afterschool activities, and pursue work and internships, including access to a world of opportunities in their communities. It's a win-win for our students."

Students will also have access to COTA's on-board Wi-Fi to complete homework, or to connect to the Read &Ride program with Columbus Metropolitan Libraries where they can check out e-books and audiobooks while on board.

Incoming 10-12 graders already have access to COTA transit for students using their Student Success Cards and incoming freshman will receive access during the first week of the fall semester. 

The passes are supplemental and do not replace the district’s yellow bus services provided to students who qualify for transportation to and from school.

All public-school systems and higher education institutions in COTA’s service area are eligible to participate in the Educational Pass Program, as authorized by the COTA Board of Trustees. For information on the Educational Pass Program, click here.