COTA Board Approves Free Fares on Election Day

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will offer free fares to all customers Tuesday, Nov. 5, in an unprecedented local effort to improve voters’ access to polling places on Election Day.

On Sept. 25, the COTA Board of Trustees voted unanimously to authorize free fares for all customers using fixed-routes service, as well as COTA’s Mainstream, the authority’s ADA service.

“The action taken by our board today reflects COTA’s organization-wide commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion,” said COTA President/CEO Joanna M. Pinkerton. “Mobility should not be a barrier to a better quality of life, and that includes exercising the right to vote. This will be a great benefit to the community.”

COTA’s board also voted to again authorize free fares for all veterans and active military personnel on Veterans Day. Customers who present a Veterans Identification Card or any other military ID on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, can ride anywhere in the system for free.

“Veterans and active duty service members should be recognized for their service and dedication to our country,” Pinkerton said. “We are glad to once again offer free fares on this important day.”

COTA has provided free fares for veterans and active military on Veterans Day for several years.

“COTA is committed to veterans in our community and is proud of our above average rate of veteran employment,” added Pinkerton. “COTA also continues to invest in veterans through career fairs with the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and is proud to house a Veterans Employee Resource Group at COTA.”

For more information on COTA services, please visit COTA.com or call Customer Service at (614) 228-1776.