COTA to provide free rides on Election Day

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Central Ohio Transit Authority is making sure voters are able to reach the polls on Nov. 5.

COTA’s Board of Trustees approved two resolutions to waive transit fares for all customers on Election Day, Nov. 5, and waive fares for veterans and active military members on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Riders will be able to board any COTA Transit vehicle including COTA Mainstream, Mainstream On-Demand, COTA’s fixed-route system and COTA//Plus.

“Since 2019, COTA has proudly waived fares on general election days to ensure that transportation is not a barrier for customers to exercise their right to vote,” said COTA Board of Trustees Chair Marlon Moore in a release. “I am proud our board recognizes that voting access includes the need for equitable mobility options and will waive fares once again.”

Veterans and active military service members will be have to fares by providing military-issued identification to the transit operator, wearing a veteran hat, article of clothing or verbally identifying as a veteran or military member on Nov. 11.

“Our veterans and active military have sacrificed so much of their time to protect our freedom, and we owe them our respect and gratitude on Veterans Day and every day,” said COTA President/CEO Monica Téllez-Fowler in a release. “Since 2016, COTA has celebrated our veterans by waiving fares on this national holiday. This will help them attend remembrances and celebrations across our service area and participate in programs that help our American heroes.”

COTA offers a 50% discount on veteran fares each day. Veterans can apply for this benefit at the COTA Customer Experience Center, 33 North High St. during business hours.