Central Ohio Transit Authority

Several COTA lines have seen big jumps in daily weekday ridership.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority is proposing timing adjustments, combining some under-used routes and adding new lines, including a possible express route to John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

It is unclear whether Dorinda McCombs left on her own or was fired.

The new Line 30 will connect Dublin, Hilliard and Upper Arlington with Ohio State University.

Ashanti Powell, 45, of Pickerington was indicted in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas for manipulating payroll of retired employees and pocketing the unearned cash.

A May progress report on the LinkUs sales tax levy shows COTA is studying eigth future routes for the dedicated lane bus corridors. The agency has previously said it wants to fund at least five and has already started design on three.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority voted Monday to hire a firm to conduct the study. It currently costs $2 to ride a COTA bus, but some programs exist to give certain populations free or reduced rides.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority will start using funds this year to increase the frequency of buses and extend late night hours to midnight.

The nearly $500 million budget includes funding for more than 30 new bus drivers that will lead to increased frequency and allow COTA to eventually run until midnight.

The LinkUs sales tax levy promises dedicated bus lanes for a bus rapid transit system starting on West Broad Street and East Main Street. This could make for a faster rush hour commute.