COTA evaluates transit fares every three (3) years. Considerations include farebox recovery ratios, inflation and comparable fares in other cities. Four (4) Public Meetings will take place regarding proposed fare adjustments, which would be effective Thursday, January 1, 2015, if approved.

1. Public Meetings
Proposed Fare Adjustments
Oct. 16, 2014
Oct. 21, 2014
Oct. 23, 2014
Oct. 29. 2014

2. Housekeeping Items
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The purpose of this meeting is to provide information about
proposed fare adjustments which would be effective Jan. 1, 2015,
and take public comments
Silence all cell phones
Be considerate of meeting attendees and COTA staff
When it is your turn to make a comment or ask a question about
COTA’s fare policies and proposed adjustments, remain at your seat
and we will call upon you
Comments and questions are limited to two minutes per person
Participants are encouraged to complete comment cards
Ask one question at a time so the appropriate COTA staff member
may address your comment

3. 3
Taxpayers
COTA’s service area population
1.2 million
Customers
70,000+ weekday trips Employees
Approximately 950
COTA Stakeholders
COTA

4. COTA Fare Policy
 COTA has a duty to operate and manage taxpayer funds in a
fiscally prudent and financially sound manner
 As described in COTA’s Long Range Transit Plan, fares are
evaluated every three years
 COTA fares were last adjusted on January 1, 2012
 Prior to recommending fare adjustments to the COTA Board of
Trustees, COTA is conducting a public information and public
comment process
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5. Fare Level Considerations
 COTA considers a number of factors when evaluating fares:
 Fare equity: Ensuring that transit users pay a fair and
reasonable portion of the total cost of providing transit service
(80 percent taxpayer subsidy/20 percent farebox recovery)
 Maintaining affordability for customers
 Increasing costs associated with providing service and
maintaining service growth and improvements
 Comparable fares and farebox recovery rates in peer and
other Ohio transit agencies
 Apply adjustments across entire fare structure
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6. Farebox Recovery Rates in Peer and Ohio Cities (2012)
 Cincinnati 35.7%
 Milwaukee 29.3%
 Buffalo 26.0%
 Charlotte 23.4%
 Orlando 23.0%
 Cleveland 22.6%
 Columbus 21.5%
 Hartford 21.1%
 Providence 19.9%
 Toledo 18.4%
 Dayton 17.4%
 Louisville 15.9%
 Jacksonville 14.8%
 Austin 12.4%
 Average w/o COTA 21.5%
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7. Local Bus Fares in Ohio Cities (2014)
 Cleveland $2.25 (Free transfer)
 Columbus $2.00 (Free transfer)
 Cincinnati $1.75 ($2.65 outside city + $0.50 transfer)
 Dayton $1.75 (+ $0.25 transfer)
 Akron $1.25 (Free transfer)
 Toledo $1.00 (Free transfer)
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8. Prudent Management of Resources
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9. COTA Local Bus Fare History
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10. Proposed COTA Fare Structure*
Current Proposed
Local $2.00 $2.25
Express $2.75 $3.00
Transfer Free Free
CBUS™ Free $0.50
31-day Pass
Local $62.00 $69.00
Express $85.00 $90.00
Discount $31.00 $34.50
CBUS N/A $15.00
7-day $25.00 $28.00
Local Day Pass $4.50 $5.00
Senior, Child, Key $1.00 $1.10
Mainstream:
Regular Fare $3.50 $4.00
Monthly Pass $105.00 $110.00
Non-ADA Service $5.00 $6.00
Will Call $4.00 $5.00
ADA fixed-route $1.00 Free
*Would be effective 1/1/2015 if approved
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11. Fare Adjustment Activities
 Hold public meetings on fare structure
Accept and consider public input through Nov. 7
 Present public input to COTA Board of Trustees on Oct. 22, 2014
 COTA Board action on recommendations on Nov. 19, 2014
If approved, adjusted fares would go into effect on January 1, 2015
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12. Fare Adjustment Public Involvement
 How to offer comments:
 At public meetings
 Comment cards
 Call (614) 228-1776
 cota.com
 Facebook: COTABus
 Twitter: @COTABus
 Write to us at:
Central Ohio Transit Authority
Attention: Fare Adjustment Public Comments
33 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
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13. COTA Fare Adjustments
Questions and Comments
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