I was waiting for COTA to update its website before doing a post on the January, 2010 service changes. It doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, but Columbus Underground managed to get a PDF flyer for the changes anyway.
The major changes include the following:
- Weekday service extension – Local routes #1, 2, 3, 4 (Parsons), 6, 7, 8, 10, 16, and 18 will have trips leaving downtown at 11:00 PM and 12:00 Midnight instead of 10:45 PM and 11:45 PM. Local routes #4 (Indianola), 5, 9, and 11 will have new trips leaving downtown at 11:00 PM and 12:00 Midnight.
- Saturday service extension – Local routes #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, and 18 will have new trips leaving downtown at 11:00 PM and 12:00 Midnight.
- Sunday service extension – Local routes #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, and 18 will have new trips leaving downtown at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
- #55 Gender Road Express - This is a new route with two rush hour trips per day originating from a new park and ride at the Gender Road Christian Church in the Canal Winchester area. I have updated my COTA Park and Ride Google Map accordingly.
- #81 Hudson Street/Ohio Avenue route extended south to Rickenbacker area.
Don’t forget that the fares are rising to $1.75 too. There are other minor changes discussed in the flyer.
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Yeah, they seem to be slow in getting their PDF press releases posted to the new COTA website. Ah well.
Anyway, I’m personally very excited about this news, especially the late night service on Saturdays. The recent addition of the #21 has been nice for being able to stay out late on High Street and not have to worry about taxis, designated drivers, or parking in general. But for someone who lives on the Near East Side it meant calling it an early night and making it back Downtown by 10pm for the final line-up or risk walking the final mile home in the cold. Having all of those routes running later at 11pm and 12pm means being able to spend more disposable income on local entertainment and stimulate the economy.
Seriously though, I hope all of these late night routes are supported well by the public. Perhaps someday soon we might even see some additional lines running until 3am on the weekends like the #21? (My vote would be for the 1,2 (and do away with the 21) and 10).
Actually, I was thinking the 21 could be extended downtown and then out to the near east side.
The COTA website has been updated. The flyer here has some more graphics than the version linked to in the post:
http://www.cota.com/assets/Riding-Cota/2010_January_Service_Change_WEB.pdf
Well, you already know what I wished was improved for this year (less stops, remove non-park & ride routes in the burbs) to improve service in urban areas). I would also like to have seen more regular service after ten; having to wait an hour between buses is a big no-no.
I’m not crazy about the new #2. Bus goes too slow, stops about every block for one person, intervals between buses can vary greatly, and why is it providing regular service east of 270 to a strip-mall shopping center? Cut that out of the #2 route and just have a rush-hour park & ride for Brice. Oh wait, they already have that. It’s the 47. Surely you’re more confused than I am.
Anybody familiar with ridership and revenue on the non-park and ride express routes? If people live in the burbs, they certainly maintain an auto and (pdq) should be counted on to get to the park and ride. Seems a bit like selling ice to the Inuit.
[...] very out of date. Major omissions included a new express route between OSU and Hilliard, a new express route to Gender Road in Canal Winchester, the #81 extension to Rickenbacker, and the late night #21 route on High Street. Also not shown [...]