Central Ohio Transit Authority to Launch New Direct Bus Route Connecting Ohio State Campus with Major Regional Destinations and Hubs
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is once again demonstrating its commitment to improving public transportation access and regional connectivity with the launch of a highly anticipated new bus route that will directly link The Ohio State University campus with key areas across Central Ohio. This major development is not only a boon for students, faculty, and staff at OSU, but also a reflection of the region’s growing population, economic expansion, and push for more sustainable and accessible transportation options.
The new route, officially named Route 95—Campus Connector, is set to begin service later this summer, with full operation expected by the beginning of the 2025 academic year. This addition to the COTA network will provide vital direct access from OSU’s main campus in Columbus to major regional hubs including downtown Columbus, Easton Town Center, Polaris, and John Glenn Columbus International Airport. The route is the product of months of public input, ridership studies, university collaboration, and urban planning analysis aimed at reducing commute times and car dependency in one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing metro areas.
According to COTA CEO Joanna Pinkerton, Route 95 represents more than just another bus line—it’s a forward-looking initiative aimed at integrating Columbus’s vibrant student population into the broader regional economy. “We recognize that students, faculty, and university employees aren’t just traveling within campus boundaries. They’re heading to internships, jobs, family homes, and recreational destinations. This new route is built to reflect and support the full spectrum of their lives,” Pinkerton said at a press conference announcing the initiative.
COTA’s planning team has focused heavily on efficiency and accessibility. The new route will run seven days a week, with increased frequency during weekday peak hours—every 10 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Off-peak and weekend service will operate at 20-minute intervals. Each bus is equipped with Wi-Fi, bike racks, low-floor boarding for accessibility, and USB charging ports—features aimed at attracting and retaining a younger, tech-savvy rider base.
The route will also integrate with COTA’s recently launched “Smart Fare” payment system, allowing riders to use their smartphones or COTA smartcards to pay for rides without cash. With student discounts already built into the OSU BuckID system, the majority of students will ride for free or at significantly reduced rates—an intentional move to encourage usage and reduce campus congestion.
The idea of directly linking the OSU campus to regional economic and transportation centers isn’t new, but this is the first time it’s being realized in such a coordinated way. Previous attempts at similar services lacked the frequency, convenience, or marketing support to attract consistent ridership. COTA officials believe the timing is finally right due to the university’s record-high enrollment, growing student housing demands off-campus, and rising traffic congestion across the metro area.
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the critical role that reliable public transportation plays in keeping cities functioning. COTA has used the lessons learned during the pandemic to reimagine and invest in more resilient, responsive service models. While other cities are scaling back transit, Columbus is doubling down—and Route 95 is a flagship example of that philosophy.
The bus route will begin at the West Campus Transit Hub and make its way through the core of Ohio State’s main campus before proceeding south to downtown Columbus via High Street, where it will offer connections to COTA’s broader downtown network. From there, the route will continue northeast via I-670 to John Glenn Columbus International Airport, offering a direct transit option for students and visitors heading to and from the university. It then loops through Easton Town Center, a major shopping and entertainment district, before heading north to Polaris, another economic hub and residential center, and looping back to campus via State Route 315.
Local business leaders are also excited about the new connection. Tom Kasich, Director of Government Relations at Easton, praised the move. “We’ve got a workforce that includes hundreds of OSU students, and we know many of our visitors and customers come from the university community. This bus route doesn’t just serve students—it helps business, it helps workers, it helps everyone.”
Environmental advocates have also been vocal in their support. With Columbus continuing to experience record growth, the city is at risk of replicating the traffic nightmares seen in other rapidly growing metros like Austin or Nashville. Public transit is seen as a vital part of avoiding that fate. According to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Route 95 alone could reduce thousands of car trips per week, significantly lowering emissions and improving air quality in the region.
In a city where nearly 60,000 students live, work, and study in close proximity to some of Ohio’s most important institutions and businesses, transit accessibility has long been a concern. While many students own cars or rely on ride-sharing services, these options can be expensive, unsustainable, and in some cases, unsafe—especially during late hours or peak traffic times. With the new route, COTA is providing a safe, reliable, and economical alternative.
OSU students have responded positively to the news, especially those from out of state or without cars. “I’ve always had trouble getting to the airport or Polaris without spending a ton on Uber,” said Samantha Chen, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering. “If I can hop on a COTA bus and get there in under an hour, that’s a game changer for me.”
Faculty and staff are also expected to benefit. Many OSU employees live in suburbs near Easton or Polaris and have long struggled with parking and commuting into the busy university district. By offering a direct route with priority transit lanes along certain sections, COTA hopes to attract a significant share of daily commuters.
To raise awareness, COTA will launch an aggressive outreach campaign this summer, including pop-up events on campus, social media promotions, giveaways, and free ride days. The university has also committed to promoting the service through student orientation, advising sessions, and campus-wide communications.
City officials view this project as a stepping stone toward even more transformative transit developments. Columbus is actively competing for federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program, and successful rollout of services like Route 95 strengthens its case. There are already murmurs about eventual bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors or even light rail options in the future—ambitious dreams that hinge on proving current projects can succeed.
Some logistical hurdles remain. There are ongoing concerns about traffic bottlenecks on key stretches like High Street and I-670. COTA is working with the City of Columbus to implement transit signal priority technology and designated bus lanes in congested areas. Additionally, there will be a brief pilot period after the route launch where timing and stops may be adjusted based on real-time rider data and feedback.
Despite these challenges, the overall sentiment is optimistic. Mayor Andrew Ginther called the new route a “milestone moment” for Columbus. “We talk all the time about being a smart city. This is what that looks like in practice—using data, innovation, and collaboration to build something that truly serves our residents.”
With Route 95, COTA is setting a new standard for regional transportation integration. It reflects a broader shift in urban planning toward multimodal, equitable transit access. For Ohio State students, it means more independence, less stress, and more connection to the opportunities that lie beyond campus boundaries. For the region, it marks another step forward in becoming a more connected, sustainable, and livable metro area.
As Central Ohio continues to grow and diversify, public transit will be a central pillar of its evolution. Route 95 is more than just a bus—it’s a symbol of a city and university growing together, linking not only destinations but also people, communities, and futures.
