REPORT TO THECOMMUNITY 2014

BOARD OF TRUSTEESDawn Tyler Lee, ChairSenior Vice President of Community Impact, United WayAppointed by City of Columbus

J. Cleve Ricksecker, Vice ChairExecutive Director, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement DistrictAppointed by City of Columbus

William A. Anthony, Jr. Director, Franklin County Board of ElectionsAppointed by City of Columbus

Jennifer L. BrunnerPartner, Brunner Quinn Law FirmAppointed by City of Columbus

James E. DaleyOwner/Operator, Daley PropertiesAppointed by City of Reynoldsburg

Mabel G. Freeman, Ph.D.Special Assistant to the President, Columbus State Community CollegeAppointed by City of Bexley

James E. Kunk President, Central Ohio Region, The Huntington National BankAppointed by City of Columbus

Harry W. ProctorRetired – Administrative Organizer, SEIU District 1199 (WV/KY/OH)Appointed by Franklin County

Craig P. TreneffAttorney at Law, Craig P. Treneff Law OfficeAppointed by City of Westerville

Jean Carter RyanPresident, Columbus-Franklin County Finance AuthorityAppointed by City of Columbus

Richard R. ZitzkeChief of Police, City of WhitehallAppointed by City of Whitehall

Robert J. Weiler, Sr. Chairman, The Robert J. Weiler CompanyAppointed by City of Columbus

One vacancy, Franklin County

A MESSAGEfrom the

Board Chair and President/Ceo

The Central Ohio Transit Authority is committed to excellence in serving our stakeholders – customers, employees and taxpayers. In order to provide excellent service, COTA is pursuing a threefold strategy: aligning COTA’s goals with the goals of the broader community; maximizing COTA’s existing service to ensure a sound foundation upon which to grow public transportation as our region grows; and planning the next generation of public transportation for Columbus and central Ohio that will transform the transportation system and the quality of life in our community.

In 2006, the voters of central Ohio approved a renewable 0.25% sales tax to fund implementation of our Long-Range Transit Plan. Since that time, COTA has been delivering on the ambitious commitments we made. We’ve modernized our bus fleet, launched an environmentally-friendly and cost-saving transition to natural gas fuel, substantially increased the level and quality of fixed-route bus and Mainstream service, updated operational facilities, strategically invested for future growth, and expanded partnerships throughout the community.

Despite these significant accomplishments, we’re just getting started. As central Ohio grows by 500,000 new residents over the next 35 years, COTA is poised to use public transportation resources in support of workforce development by expanding service to new and growing jobs centers. It is also poised to deploy transit services that promote and support economic and residential development by delivering new and creative services to growing population areas and emerging activity centers.

In this report, you’ll see how we’ve delivered on our promises to take public transit to the next level with innovative and fiscally-responsible ways to meet the ever-changing needs of central Ohio. COTA is changing the paradigm for providing its services and changing the way our community thinks about and uses public transportation.

We look forward to continuing to focus COTA’s efforts on the goals of our vibrant and growing region. While doing so, we invite every member of our community to join COTA and its strategic partners as we launch the planning process that will deliver the community’s visionary plan for the next generation of public transportation for Columbus and central Ohio.

Dawn Tyler LeeChair, Board of trustees

W. Curtis StittPresident/Ceo

VISIONCOTA will be the region’s transportation leader.

550+ coach

operators

3,500+bus stops

69Mainstream

vehicles

332fixed-route

buses

28Park & Ride

facilities

981,000service hours

in 2014

68 LinesLocal, Express& Crosstown

562sq mile

service area

370+passengershelters

18.7million+passenger trips

in 2013

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

System Ridership (Fixed-Route and Mainstream)

# O

F

TR

IPS

20,000,000

15,000,000

10,000,000

MISSIONCOTA is committed to excellence in

serving our stakeholders including customers, employees and

taxpayers. We will deliver quality transportation services and

conduct business courteously, safely, ethically and reliably.

We will demonstrate leadership that is fiscally responsible and

environmentally conscientious.

COTA was created by an agreement executed on Feb. 17,

1971, with Franklin County and the cities of Bexley, Columbus,

Gahanna, Grandview Heights, Grove City, Hilliard, Reynoldsburg,

Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall and Worthington. In 2008,

an amended agreement added the city of Dublin.

COTA’s first day providing public transportation services was

Jan. 1, 1974.

HISTORY

COTA MOVES CENTRAL OHIO

FUNDING & Service

service expansionIn 2007, COTA began expanding service, developing new Park & Ride facilities, and modernizing its fleet and facilities. This year, over 60,000 service hours are being added. COTA’s service expansion and growth includes Mainstream. As fixed-route service expands, Mainstream service and capacity also grows.

USING TAX DOLLARS EFFECTIVELYNew Revenue Stream Fueled Service Growth

Since the passage of the renewable sales tax in 2006, COTA has:

• Increased service levels by 57% or 357,000 service hours • Invested in infrastructure improvements to support growth • Modernized and transitioned bus fleet to clean burning fuel • Restored/improved facility assets to “like new” condition • Replaced/improved passenger amenities (shelters, Park & Rides, bus stops) • Made strategic property acquisitions for future

transit services • Updated technology infrastructure • Leveraged $142.8 million of federal grant dollars

• Increased working capital reserve level that allows COTA to plan longer term

• Brought costs under control and in line with peer transit agencies

The Auditor of State Award with Distinction (2012) is given to those entities that receive a “clean” audit report, as well as file an annual Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and timely financial reports in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Additional achievements include a “clean” audit report for six consecutive years (2008-2013) and 24 consecutive years receiving the Government Finance Officers Association’s “Excellence in Financial Reporting Certificate,” 1989-2012.

FINANCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

mainstream SERVICEMainstream is a demand-response, shared-ride service available to individuals whose disabilities prevent them from accessing COTA’s fixed-route bus system. Eligibility is determined through an application and assessment process based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. COTA provided more than 275,000 Mainstream passenger trips in 2013. Mobility Services also offers free, personalized travel training to those seeking independence by using public transit.

COTA’s operations are funded by a 0.5% sales and use tax, of which 0.25% is continuing and 0.25% is renewable. The tax is collected in Franklin County and parts of Delaware, Fairfield, Licking and Union counties. The 10-year renewable sales and use tax was approved by voters in 2006 to begin implementation of COTA’s Long-Range Transit Plan. Sales tax revenue makes up 83% of COTA’s operating revenue, while fare box and other revenue accounts for 17%.

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

(B*)

Annual Fixed-Route Service Hours

SE

RV

ICE

HO

UR

S

1,000,000

900,000

800,000

700,000

600,000

500,000

0

678,

302

753,

637

801,

153

839,

635

860,

757

918,

742

981,

000400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

635,

828

2006

623,

987

*Budgeted

Capital investments McKinley Operations FacilityFixed-route bus operations and vehicle maintenance facility Undergoing renovations to “like new” condition

Spring Street TerminalServes commuters in the northern Downtown areaUndergoing renovations and upgrades

COTA Transit TerminalServes commuters in the southern Downtown areaRenovations and upgrades completed in August 2014

Street and Remote Operations FacilityBus shelter maintenance and support vehicle storage facilityNew acquisition. Renovation completed in 2012

William J. Lhota BuildingAdministrative headquarters and customer service/pass salesNew acquisition. Renovations completed in 2010

acquisitionsStrategic land purchases were made to enhance and expand customer amenities and services. Sites include land surrounding the McKinley Operations Facility and Fields Avenue campus; Westview Turnaround; and New Albany, Grove City and Canal Winchester properties for Park & Rides.

STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS &acquisitions

Mobility Services FacilityMainstream operations facilityNew state-of-the-art bus and disability assessment facility completed in 2011

Fields Operations FacilityFixed-route bus operations and vehicle maintenance facility Renovation completed in 2009

MODERnIZATION OF BUS FLEETCOTA’s fixed-route fleet is one of the youngest in the country with an average bus age of 4.6 years. The national average in 2013 was 7.8 years. COTA replaces one-twelfth of its fleet each year, based on the average 12 year life span of a bus.

COTA is proud to partner with community organizationsto offer pass programs:

• The Ohio State University • Columbus College of Art & Design • Columbus City Schools • Franklin County • City Year Columbus Ambassador Program

PARTNERShips

2012

201 1 2012

LEED CERTIFICATIONCOTA incorporates Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards in the design and construction of all new and renovated facility projects. Four COTA facilities are LEED® certified by the US Green Building Council:

COMPRESSED NATURAL GASBy 2025, COTA will phase out all diesel-powered fixed-route, Mainstream and support vehicles. All newly acquired vehicles will be powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). This commitment, based on both environmental and economic factors, will result in air quality improvements and a substantial reduction in operating fuel costs.

Today, COTA’s 66 CNG-powered coaches are fueled at a newly constructed, COTA-owned and operated CNG fueling station on the grounds of the McKinley Operations Facility that opened in May 2013. In the first year of CNG operation, COTA saved $564,000 in fuel costs.

going green

Fields Operations FacilityJan. 2011

Mobility Services FacilityOct. 2012

William J. Lhota BuildingApr. 2012

Street & Remote Operations FacilityApr. 2014

In May 2014, COTA launched the CBUS, a free service that circulates in downtown Columbus and adjacent neighborhoods. The CBUS serves downtown employees, residents and visitors wishing to make connections between residential districts, employment centers, dining, nightlife, cultural offerings, parks, hotels and convention facilities.

Sustainable Development & Investments

Over 165,000 trips taken on the CBUS

LEED®, and its related logo, is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council® and is used with permission.

enhancing downtown development

WHAT WILL THE NEXT GENERATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION LOOK LIKE IN CENTRAL OHIO?Columbus is the largest city in Ohio and the 15th-fastest-growing city in the country. Projections indicate that by 2050 the central Ohio region will grow by more than 500,000 people. How will this growing number of people move through the region each day?

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

COTA will lead the central Ohio community in envisioning what our public transportation system needs to accomplish in the next 20, 30, 40 years and beyond. This extensive visioning process will reach out to all of the members of the community with an interest in our future transit model, and will not be fiscally constrained or restricted by transit mode. COTA looks forward to leading this exciting process and developing the community’s vision for the next generation of public transportation for Columbus and central Ohio.

How will you help plan the future of public transportation in central Ohio? cota.com/NextGeneration#COTANextGen

BUS RAPID TRANSITIn order to provide an improved transit option within one of Columbus’ busiest corridors, COTA began working in 2010 to bring Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)/Enhanced Bus Service to Cleveland Avenue. The proposed 15.6-mile service will transport riders between downtown Columbus and Polaris Parkway/Africa Road.

The preliminary project cost is approximately $40 million, of which COTA is seeking 80% in grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5309 New Starts program.

strengthening service

TRANSIT SYSTEM REVIEWIn October 2013, COTA embarked on a complete review of its bus network. The intent of this Transit System Review (TSR) is to improve the effectiveness of COTA’s bus network to meet the needs of growing and changing land uses in central Ohio. The recommendations that result will be constrained by COTA’s current funding levels.

Proposed network and downtown operations plans were drafted,allocating 70% of resources to maximizing ridership and 30% ofresources to providing coverage.

COTA will leadthe community in developing the visionfor the next generation of public transportation for columbus and central ohio