COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Central Ohio Transit Authority Board of Trustees approved language for a levy to “create a dedicated funding stream for expanded modernized public transit, hundreds of miles of sidewalks, bikeways, and pathways…,” according to a press release.

What You Need To Know

  • The Central Ohio Transit Authority Board of Trustees approved language for a levy to “create a dedicated funding stream for expanded modernized public transit, hundreds of miles of sidewalks, bikeways, and pathways…”

  • The levy, which will be on the Nov. 5 ballot, will add these services to more than 40 different communities

  • The public funding, should the levy be passed, would go toward the LinkUS Initiative, “a comprehensive mobility solution to address growth, affordability, sustainability, and opportunity in our region"

  • The levy would increase sales tax by half a penny and will involve voters from Franklin County and parts of Delaware, Fairfield, Licking and Union counties

The levy, which will be on the Nov. 5 ballot, will add these services to more than 40 different communities.

The public funding, should the levy be passed, would go toward the LinkUS Initiative, “a comprehensive mobility solution to address growth, affordability, sustainability, and opportunity in our region.”

“It is time for Central Ohio to join all the other regions of our size in creating a modern transit system for all modes, including transit, bikes, and cars,” Monica Tellez-Fowler, COTA president/CEO, said in the release. “We know that a modern public transit system can transform lives and communities for the better. I thank the COTA Board of Trustees for empowering voters with the opportunity to choose improved transit service and walkable, safer, and more connected neighborhoods.”

The levy would increase sales tax by half a penny and will involve voters from Franklin County and parts of Delaware, Fairfield, Licking and Union counties.

“As Central Ohio continues to grow, our prosperity relies on connecting our communities to job opportunities,” Dublin Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes said in the release. “The LinkUs Mobility Initiative will provide access to high-quality transportation to all of our residents to ensure that as our region grows bigger, we grow better.”

The release notes that the city of Columbus is the only of its size that doesn’t have a rapid transit system and the LinkUS Initiative “will help alleviate traffic as growth continues, by making buses faster and more reliable while adding new walking and bikeway connections.”

The successful implementation of this would increase the transit service by 45%, according to the release.

Stephanie Hightower, president of the Columbus Urban League, said she’s seen the need for “more reliable and more dignified transportation” in the area.

“Our focus at the Columbus Urban League is to empower the community and drive economic transformation, foundational education, and family stabilization,” Hightower said in the release. “Reliable, affordable, and consistent transportation makes a real difference in the livelihood of families from health, income, education, and more – moving forward to expand how we do transportation in Central Ohio will be a game changer for many of the families we serve.”

Additionally, the levy would create 500-plus miles of sidewalks, paths and bikeways. The release also notes that buses will travel in dedicated lanes beginning on West Broad Street corridor, followed by the East Main Street corridor and a Northwest corridor, with two others under consideration.

"This initiative is a transformative step towards creating a more connected, accessible, and equitable transportation network in our region,” said Marlon Moore, chair of the COTA Board of Trustees, in the release. “The board applauds the LinkUS team for this comprehensive strategy that not only addresses current transportation challenges but also prepares Central Ohio for future growth.”