Football bus service provides Delaware County residents rides

Beginning this football season, Delaware County residents will have a new way of getting to Ohio State games: a bus service.

The new DATA Express will connect Delaware Area Transit Agency (DATA) bus riders to Central Ohio Transit Authority buses that travel to home Buckeye games.

The service will be available for the Buckeyes’ home opener at noon Sept. 1 against Oregon State.

DATA will pick up riders at one of three Delaware County Meijer locations in Lewis Center, Delaware or Westerville, then transfer them to COTA’s Crosswoods Park & Ride, where they then can take COTA’s “Bus It to the Buckeyes” service to Ohio Stadium.

Riders must prepay and schedule their DATA Express rides at least two weeks prior to a game. The cost is $5.50 round trip for adults; $2 for children 12 and younger. The transit agency will then contact riders a week before the game to confirm pickup times. As proof of payment, wristbands will be given to riders to wear for the return ride.

DATA wants residents to be able to travel to games without worrying about traffic, parking and construction, said Denny Schooley, the agency’s executive director. “They can sit back and let DATA Express drivers handle the road,” he said.

Riders will have to pay cash for COTA service separately at the Crosswoods Park & Ride on game day; no scheduling is necessary. COTA’s roundtrip fare also is $5.50 for adults and $2 for children.

Seating is limited for DATA Express and scheduling is available now for any home game.

To schedule a ride, call 740-363-3355 or visit www. ridedata.com. To view the Buckeyes football schedule, go to ohiostatebuckeyes. com/sports/m-footbl/ schedule/.