The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) plans to add three new express lines to its fixed-route bus service as part of service changes scheduled for implementation on Sept. 1, 2008.
The new lines are the #50 Rickenbacker Express, #59 Dublin-Metro Express, and the #68 Hilliard-Westbelt Express.
The additional lines are among service changes impacting 16 local, express and crosstown lines.
Most of the scheduled changes are intended to modify travel times for service reliability, improve frequency of service, extend the span of service, and realign service. The new lines bring the total number of fixed-route bus lines operated by COTA to 56.
The #50 Rickenbacker Express will serve the Rickenbacker Area Industrial Parks. This new service is being implemented in response to requests from employers and employees of the industrial area, which encompasses 38 million square feet of development, numerous industrial parks and more than 130 companies.
"COTA is pleased to extend bus service to the Rickenbacker Area Industrial Parks, a vital link in the economic vitality of the central Ohio region," Bill Lhota, COTA
President/CEO commented. "To assist area companies and help residents seeking relief from pain at the gas pump, COTA intends to provide more employees with safe and reliable alternative transportation to and from work."
The #50 Rickenbacker Express will run weekdays between downtown and the Rickenbacker area industrial parks. Outbound alignment will begin at 5:53 a.m. at High and Long streets, ending at Groveport Road at 6:35 a.m. The after-work inbound alignment will begin at Alum Creek Drive and Rohr Road at 4:30 p.m., ending at Wall Street at 5:17 p.m. The Rickenbacker Express will make 10 bus stops on streets in the industrial area, from Alum Creek Drive to Groveport Road.
A brochure detailing the service changes will be available on COTA’s Web site: www.cota.com. Customers may also call 228-1776 to speak to a customer service representative.
