LinkUS: regional public transportation plan
Central Ohio is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, on track to reach 3.15 million residents by 2050. To address this growth, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has partnered with the City of Columbus, Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) to create LinkUs, a regional transportation and growth plan.
In Bexley specifically, one of the five bus rapid transit (BRT) routes proposed as part of LinkUs is planned for East Main Street, with multiple transit-supportive infrastructure projects (like shared use paths) also planned for our community.
Where to Learn More
Bexley Voters Support LinkUs Levy in '24 General Election
To raise the funds necessary to support the LinkUs initiative, COTA's Board of Trustees placed a proposed levy on the November 2024 General Election ballot. The levy was ultimately approved by voters - with 68% of Bexley voters approving - and taxpayers in areas serviced by COTA, including Franklin County and parts of Delaware, Licking, Fairfield and Union counties will see the half a percent sales tax increase beginning April 1, 2025.
Support for Bexley BRT Station Location at Pleasant Ridge and Main
After months of community input and years of planning with COTA, Bexley City Council voted to approve Resolution 02-25 which supports placing a future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station at Pleasant Ridge Avenue and East Main Street.
This decision reflects general public support for bringing BRT service to Bexley, with many residents highlighting Pleasant Ridge and Main as an ideal, walkable location near Capital University, the Bexley Public Library, and key redevelopment sites. Alongside that support, we also heard input about traffic, pedestrian safety, and parking—which will be taken seriously as we work with COTA to finalize designs and plan future streetscape improvements.
Construction could begin as soon as 2027, with service starting by 2029. The City will continue to share updates and seek community feedback as the project moves forward.
Thank you to everyone who shared input—your voice helped shape this important step in improving mobility in Bexley.
COTA Presentation - April 2025 | View All Agenda Packet Materials
How COTA Will Link Our Community
FASTER and more reliable public transportation
45% INCREASE IN COTA SERVICE
Increasing COTA service with BRT means faster, more reliable transit, improved connections, and more walkable communities
SAFER and expanded sidewalks, bikeways, and trails
BUILDING 500+ MILES OF SIDEWALKS, BIKEWAYS, AND TRAILS
Improving pedestrian safety and quality of life to benefit every community
WALKABLE communities with more affordable access to work, home, and entertainment
MORE OPPORTUNITY
Creating historic investments in communities that would help move people to and from work faster and more reliably
What's in the Plan for Bexley?
Through LinkUs, COTA would invest in more than 500 miles of sidewalks, bikeways, and trails across its service area, making it safer and easier to walk, bike and ride COTA. Here's what's in the plan for the Bexley community specifically...
- Premium bus rapid transit (BRT) along E. Main Street from Downtown Columbus to Reynoldsburg
- $1.6 million in Transit Supportive Infrastructure (TSI) funds to cover the City of Bexley’s local match the for major infrastructure and safety improvements coming soon to Livingston Avenue from I-70 to Kellner Road
- Bexley Calm Corridor on Cassingham and Remington Roads; This includes road calming improvements such as raised intersections, bump outs, and other engineering solutions to make the corridor safer for pedestrians and cyclists
- Pedestrian/cyclist improvements on Main Street Bridge over Alum Creek
What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?
Bus rapid transit, commonly known as BRT, is a high-quality, bus-based transportation system that is designed to deliver fast, cost-effective and comfortable services to meet the needs of metro areas. By providing dedicated lanes specifically for rapid transit — most often at the center of road — it is more reliable and convenient than traditional bus systems.
What would BRT Upgrades Mean for E. Main Street in Bexley?
- Larger, zero-emission transit vehicles that comfortably fit more people.
- Improved transit travel speed and reliability with traffic signal priority, platform-level boarding, and off-vehicle payment.
- Improved passenger waiting areas at a modern, center-loading station; The current plan is for Bexley's station to be just west of the intersection of at Pleasant Ridge and E. Main Street. (Note that the station location was previously planned for Drexel Avenue, but has been moved).
- While much of E. Main Street is planned to have dedicated lanes for the BRT, with the assistance of COTA and their planners and traffic engineers, it was determined that Bexley's guideway will remain mixed-traffic, meaning that there will not be a dedicated bus lane for our segment of the BRT. This is due to the lack of available right-of-way and the location of existing buildings.
- Note that existing service will be maintained in addition to the planned BRT service. Only if existing line service decreases will COTA change existing station locations and schedules.
Engagement Opportunities to Date:
January 2022: LinkUs Columbus and Bexley (@ BPL)
March 2022: LinkUs Presentation (@ City Hall)
May 2022: Bexley & LinkUs Community Design Session (@ BPL)
September 2023: Land Use Strategy Learning Session: LinkUs (@ City Hall)
March 2024: The Future of Transportation w/ Michael Wilkos (@ BPL)
Summer 2024: Business Owner Questionnaire / Canvasing
August 2024: LinkUs at ”Meet Your Street” with Main Street Businesses
November 2024: LinkUs Ballot Initiative (Supported by 68% of Bexley voters)
March 2025: AARP Coffee Conversations (@ BPL)
April-May 2025: Station Location Survey (Now closed)
May 2025: LinkUs at "Meet Your Street" (@BPL)
September 2025: Open House (@ City Hall) - View Slide Deck
Staff Contact:
Director of Administration & Development
Megan Meyer
mmeyer@bexley.org
Phone: (614) 559-4252