Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)

The Roadeo Semi-Finals brought out the best in Team COTA! Our Operators showcased impressive skill and precision as they navigated challenging courses. 🎉 The real victory? Coming together to share a meal and celebrate the professionalism that keeps Central Ohio moving. Team COTA is on the ROUTE to success! 🏆

COTA President/CEO Monica Tellez-Fowler was honored to attend the Women of Influence Awards, where she was recognized in the Trailblazer category by Columbus Business First. Monica’s leadership is defined by action, championing regional mobility through the LinkUS Columbus initiative, advancing impactful policies for COTA employees and mentoring the next generation of leaders through organizations like Rise Together and Latinos In Transit (LIT). Her vision for public transportation goes beyond infrastructure — it’s about expanding access and opportunity for all. We’re proud to have a leader who moves Central Ohio forward and empowers others to lead alongside her.

We’re building a bus rapid transit (BRT) system that navigates through our neighborhoods as efficiently as driving, delivering 45% more service for our riders. See our plan for the premium transit service in this segment from NBC4 Columbus: https://lnkd.in/gZUf_fZ3.

Congratulations to Senior Director of Development Kimberly Sharp, AICP on this well-deserved appointment! We’re proud to see her leadership recognized and know she’ll bring great vision and dedication to ULI Columbus.

🚌✨ BIG NEWS! We're thrilled to announce 5 NEW Magnusmode card decks to make your COTA journey even smoother! These visual, audio and text guides are easy to follow and help everyone navigate public transit with confidence. Our latest step-by-step guides now cover: 🔹 Navigating the Transit App 🔹 COTA Mainstream (Paratransit Service) 🔹 COTA//Plus (On-Demand Service) 🔹 COTA Park and Rides 🔹 Adding a Pass to Your Smartcard Thanks to our amazing partners at MagnusMode and Bridgeway - Academy & Therapy Center for making transit more accessible for all. 📱Download the FREE MagnusCards app and search "COTA" to access all our transit guides in English, Spanish and Somali. You can also find printable PDFs at COTA.com/magnuscards.

Tune in to the Columbus Metropolitan Club’s “Three Million People, One City’s Future” broadcast to hear COTA President/CEO Monica Téllez-Fowler join fellow panelists to discuss opportunity, innovation and investment in the future of Columbus as the population grows by an expected 35 percent by 2050. Watch the free livestream, register for live attendance or sign up to access the recorded forum afterward. https://lnkd.in/gK_MfKg5 

I’m excited to be a part of the discussion about how we are preparing for growth in our region. The focus continues to be growing better as we get bigger. I hope you’ll join us by registering here: https://lnkd.in/gVXgUHwJ Columbus Metropolitan Club LinkUS Columbus Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)

Congratulations to Drew Merrill, AICP on being selected for American Public Transportation Association’s Emerging Leaders Program Class of 2026! As a GIS Transit Service Planner at COTA, Drew joins an exceptional cohort of 36 public transportation professionals who will spend the next 10 months developing leadership skills and expanding their industry knowledge through mentorship, workshops and a collaborative capstone project. The program recently kicked off with a three-day opening session in San Francisco, where participants learned from transit experts outside of their specialty, built professional connections through enhanced networking and toured San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)’s cable car barn. Drew's selection represents both personal achievement and recognition of the innovative work happening at COTA. Here's to the next generation of transit leaders!

For Brandon White, a COTA Operator of six years, every route is more than a line on a map — it's a lifeline connecting Columbus. "COTA isn't just about buses,” he said. “It brings the city to life. It's about access, opportunity and connection. People ride with us to chase their dreams and their responsibilities or just to feel less alone." Every day, Brandon witnesses the power of connections firsthand. From strangers sharing a smile to neighbors reuniting, he sees how public transit creates unexpected moments of unity. “We're a thread that ties neighborhoods together.” Behind the wheel, Brandon understands the profound responsibility of his role and uses every interaction as an opportunity to build community. “As a driver, I know my attitude sets the tone. I treat every rider with kindness and patience, and I take pride in making sure people feel safe and seen." Brandon credits all of Team COTA for bringing people together through big and small moments alike. "We're all doing our part," he said. "It's all a small part from each and every person, but we're all coming together for one big purpose, which is to serve the community." #PrideMonth

Team COTA was thrilled to join the community in the 2025 Stonewall Columbus Pride March 🏳️🌈 Thanks to everyone who joined us for this important celebration!   We're proud to move every life forward, together.