COLUMBUS, Ohio — Thanks to a resolution passed by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Board of Trustees Wednesday, fares will be waived for transit services during heat or cold advisories/warnings.

What You Need To Know

  • COTA fares will be waved during heat or cold advisories/warnings thanks to a resolution the board of trustees passed Wednesday

  • Passengers can receive free rides to cooling and warming centers, rec centers, libraries and others shelters

  • This will apply to warnings issued by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Wilmington

A press release from COTA confirmed that this will be case for any days in which these advisories or warnings are issued by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Wilmington.

“Our mission is to serve all Central Ohio residents and that includes those who are seeking shelter during dangerous conditions,” COTA President/CEO Monica TellezFowler said in the release. “Our communities offer places of safety for residents on a winter day when it is dangerously cold or a summer day that is dangerously hot. We do not want anyone to risk their health because they might not have the bus fare to reach shelter. We are grateful to the COTA Board of Trustees for taking this important step to enhance our service to our region.”

Passengers can receive free rides to cooling and warming centers, rec centers, libraries and others shelters, according to COTA. They say they already provide free rides in snow emergencies rated at level two or three.

“COTA’s partners in the nonprofit community and our locally elected officials have asked COTA to consider eliminating fares on all days when the temperatures pose a risk to human health,” COTA Board of Trustees Chair Marlon Moore said in the release. “We thank Team COTA for creating this policy that helps us continue our commitment to serving our customers with compassion and respect. Today the Board of Trustees is happy to unanimously approve this policy that better protects our riders and our community.”

Michael Corey, the executive director of the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County, said they serve more than 220 nonprofits, many that work with people experiencing homelessness.

“So, every summer and every winter, we work hard with our members and partners across the community to ensure everyone knows where to go when the weather is dangerously hot or dangerously cold,” Corey said in the release. “A consistent challenge is always getting to and from those places. COTA (is) trying to eliminate that barrier will save lives. We are deeply appreciative of this new policy, and how COTA continues centering the people of this community."

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