Central Ohio Voters Pass Transit Levy

Voters in central Ohio approved a half percent sales tax increase to fund improved bus service, bus rapid transit (BRT), and new sidewalks and bike paths. 

As Jordan Laird notes in The Columbus Dispatch, “The levy permanently renews an existing 0.25% sales tax and adds another 0.5% sales tax. Combined with another 0.25% sales tax levy that is not on the ballot, approval of this levy brings COTA's total share of sales tax to 1% and Franklin County's total sales tax to 8%.” Roughly 57 percent of Franklin County voters approved the measure as of November 5.

The funding will allow the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to build the region’s first bus rapid transit (BRT) lines, increase bus service by 45 percent, and build over 500 miles of new sidewalks, bike paths, and trails by 2050. The LinkUS plan includes five rapid transit lines, with at least three planned as BRT. While light rail is not currently in the plan, officials say they have not ruled it out. COTA will also expand on-demand transit service zones, add late-night bus service, and build “transit-supportive infrastructure.”

Residents should start seeing improvements in service frequency and hours next year.