COTA center closes for upgrades

The Central Ohio Transit Authority will close its customer service center at 33 N. High St. on Monday to renovate it and install new ticket purchasing kiosks and a large display board with COTA system information.

The space will be larger, and more warm and inviting, COTA spokesman Jeff Pullin said.

“We’re gutting the entire lobby,” Pullin said.

Pullin said riders who visit the new lobby will be greeted by COTA representatives, who will help them learn more about COTA services.

The exterior of the building is also being redesigned to include sliding doors, he said, making it more convenient to enter and exit.

The total cost will be $2.3 million, which includes new ramps, doors and windows, plus security upgrades and ticket vending machines in addition to the new kiosks and video monitor wall, which will include real-time information on bus arrivals and departures, like an airport, Pullin said.

He said the goal is to give our customers an interactive experience that reflects COTA’S innovation.

The new lobby should be open by October, Pullin said.

During construction, COTA’S pass sales office will be temporarily located to system’s south terminal at 25 E. Rich St. across from Columbus Commons. Several High Street bus lines pass through that location, including the Cbus Downtown circulator.

Riders can also buy passes at the ticket vending machine outside COTA’S North High Street headquarters or at more than 30 locations in the Columbus area.

COTA’S Mainstream riders can buy passes at COTA Mobility Services at 1330 Fields Ave.

Riders can also find out more about the lobby closure by calling COTA customer service or COTA spokesman Jeff Pullin.