COTA increases access for Central Ohioans to get to COVID-19 vaccination sites

Courtesy of ABC 6
By Jarrod Clay
April 7, 2021

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) announced Wednesday efforts to provide transportation for thousands of people to COVID-19 vaccination sites across COTA’s service area.

COTA currently has four initiatives underway to help people get to and from vaccination sites.

The first is COTA’s vaccination pass program. COTA has delivered more than 10,000 one-day transit passes to nearly 30 non-profits. These passes will be distributed to people in need to provide transit access to and from any vaccination location in COTA’s service area.

The following locations received transit passes: Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center, Columbus Urban League, Communities in Schools of Ohio, Dress for Success Columbus, Equitas Health, Freedom a la Cart, Gladden Community House, Goodwill Columbus, Huckleberry House, Human Service Chamber of Franklin County, IMPACT Community Action, Lifecare Alliance, Lifecare Alliance Columbus Cancer Clinic, MOBILE, Muslim Family Services of Ohio, North Community Counseling Center, Penney Watkins, Reeb Avenue Center, South Side Early Learning Center, United Schools Network, and YMCA Shelter Services.

COTA is also providing transportation to customers in underserved communities to the St. John Arena Mass Vaccination Clinic.

The mass vaccination site will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 8-11. People who have scheduled their vaccination at the clinic can book a trip to and from St. John Arena at no charge by calling COTA Mainstream On-Demand at 614-344-4488 or COTA/Plus South Columbus at 614-228-1776.

Customers living in Westerville, Grove City, and South Columbus can take COTA/Plus to any vaccination site within their zone at no charge by calling 614-228-1776.

COTA has also partnered with Columbus Stand Up! to provide transportation for people living in underserved communities. Transportation can be booked online here.

Funding for these vaccine transportation initiatives and partnerships is provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation.