Updated: July 25, 2026
Columbus is finally building rapid transit. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program now underway is the biggest transit investment in the region’s history, and it will change how people get across the city.
As part of the larger LinkUS initiative, Columbus aims to address its growing population and the associated demands on its existing transit infrastructure by implementing a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable public transportation system.
The details
At the heart of the project is the redevelopment of West Broad Street, the first of several planned BRT corridors, running 9.3 miles from downtown Columbus to Prairie Township with 17 stations. COTA’s CMAX line on Cleveland Avenue has offered limited-stop rapid service since 2018, but the LinkUS corridors are a much bigger build.
This corridor will feature dedicated lanes for new, larger buses, ensuring fast and frequent service akin to light rail systems but at a fraction of the cost and construction time. Enhanced passenger platforms, improved crosswalks, sidewalks, and bike lanes are also part of the comprehensive plan to create a more accessible and user-friendly urban environment.
The BRT initiative represents a significant shift towards a less car-dependent culture in Columbus, fostering more walkable communities with easy access to work, home, and entertainment. With an estimated cost of just under $340 million for the West Broad Street corridor alone, the project leans on a mix of federal and local money. The local side is settled: Franklin County voters passed Issue 47 in November 2024 with 57% of the vote, raising COTA’s sales tax from 0.5% to 1% as of April 2025 to fund LinkUS through 2050. On the federal side, the corridor has already drawn a $42 million Reconnecting Communities grant, and COTA is waiting on the FTA’s decision for a larger Small Starts grant.
Why the BRT matters
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) officials, alongside city and regional planning leaders, have championed the BRT as a scalable solution to the city’s future transportation needs. By prioritizing BRT, Columbus is set to build out an extensive system of rapid transit routes more quickly and affordably than traditional light rail options.
Two more corridors are already in federal project development behind it: East Main Street, running 13 miles from downtown to Reynoldsburg, and a Northwest corridor covering 8.5 miles from downtown to the Bethel Road Park and Ride.
The introduction of the BRT program in Columbus is not just about improving transportation. It’s a pivotal component of the city’s broader vision to become more sustainable, equitable, and vibrant. By reducing reliance on individual car travel, the BRT system will contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate traffic congestion, and promote economic development along its corridors.
When will the BRT open?
There’s no firm opening date yet. West Broad was originally targeted to open in late 2028, but updated state traffic projections pushed the schedule back by a projected 16 months, and COTA’s May 2026 progress report calls the timeline fluid. Design is 90% complete, the corridor cleared federal environmental review in October 2025, and construction is waiting on that federal funding decision.
The BRT program represents a significant investment in the future, promising to redefine urban transit in Columbus and set a precedent for other cities grappling with similar growth and sustainability challenges.
To learn more about the program, you can head over to linkuscolumbus.com.
