Politics
Ohio Senate Bill 178 Boosts Columbus COTA Transit Funding for Commuters
The legislation directs additional state dollars to Central Ohio Transit Authority operations and capital projects, altering service levels for daily commuters in Franklin County.
How we reported this
Ohio Senate Bill 178, signed into law last month, raises the state match rate for regional transit capital grants from 40 percent to 55 percent for authorities serving populations above 800,000. Central Ohio Transit Authority stands to receive the largest single allocation under the revised formula.
Why the change arrives in 2026
State transportation officials completed their biennial needs assessment in March, documenting a $47 million shortfall in bus replacement schedules across Ohio's largest systems. The bill responds to that report by adjusting the existing grant program rather than creating a new one. Columbus city budget documents show COTA currently draws 18 percent of its capital budget from these state matches.
Residents who use the No. 2 High Street and No. 10 Broad Street routes will see the first scheduled additions, with the authority projecting six new compressed-natural-gas buses entering service by December. Property owners along those corridors may notice construction of two additional bus shelters funded through the same line item. Areas outside the current COTA service boundary, including parts of western Franklin County, receive no new allocations under the bill text.
Budget figures and distribution
The legislation states that Franklin County projects will receive $9.2 million in the current fiscal year, drawn from the Ohio Department of Transportation's transit capital account. That amount equals 31 percent of the statewide total set aside for all regional authorities. Policy analysts tracking the bill note that smaller systems in Appalachian counties receive flat dollar amounts rather than the percentage increase applied to larger districts.
Implementation begins with COTA submitting revised project lists to the state by August 15. The authority has already listed the purchase of 12 replacement buses and signal upgrades at 14 intersections as its top priorities. Local advocates note that farebox revenue covers only 22 percent of operating costs, so any capital savings could free operating dollars for route frequency, though the bill itself does not mandate how those savings are spent.
State budget staff project the higher match rate will remain in place through the 2028-2029 biennium unless lawmakers revisit the statute. Columbus residents can track project status through the COTA capital projects dashboard once submissions are approved.