By 1808Delaware
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is making a strong commitment to community accessibility by offering free rides on two important dates: Election Day on November 5 and Veterans Day on November 11. This effort is part of COTA’s ongoing mission to eliminate transportation barriers for Central Ohio residents, allowing them to access essential services without worrying about fare costs.
Free Rides on Election Day to Ensure Voting Access
On Election Day, November 5, COTA will waive all fares for riders across its services, including the fixed-route system, COTA Mainstream, Mainstream On-Demand, and COTA//Plus. This move aims to ensure that all eligible voters can reach their polling locations without transportation challenges.
To take advantage of the free rides, voters are encouraged to check their polling location on the Franklin County Board of Elections website and plan their trip using COTA.com or the Transit app.
COTA has been offering free Election Day rides since 2019 to help voters exercise their civic duty without financial barriers.
Veterans Ride Free on Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, November 11, COTA is offering free rides for veterans and active military members. To ride at no cost, individuals can present military-issued identification, wear veteran-related clothing, or simply identify themselves to the transit operator.
“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.
Year-Round Discounts for Veterans
In addition to free rides on Veterans Day, veterans can benefit from a year-round 50% discount on COTA fares. Veterans can apply for this discount at the COTA Customer Experience Center at 33 North High Street during business hours. Proof of veteran or active military status is required, and the discount can be added to the rider’s Transit app account or a COTA Smartcard.
More details on enrolling in the veteran discount program or other available fare discounts can be found on COTA’s discount fares webpage.
COTA’s Continued Commitment to Accessibility
COTA’s free ride initiatives for Election Day and Veterans Day reflect its ongoing commitment to making transportation accessible for all, whether it’s helping voters reach the polls or ensuring that veterans can participate in community events.
Source: COTA
