Issue 47: COTA sales tax to fund dedicated bus corridors headed toward passing
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Issue 47 in central Ohio, a COTA sales tax levy that will help fund a massive overhaul of the region’s public transportation, is heading toward passage, according to unofficial results.
The ballot issue in all areas that the Central Ohio Transit Authority services would increase the COTA sales tax from 0.5% to 1%, and it’s leading 57% to 43% Tuesday night with 98% of the vote counted. It will fund LinkUS, the city’s nearly $2 billion plan with COTA to upgrade public transportation.
It will fund the implementation of three bus rapid transit corridors. Also known as BRT, it’s a system that uses articulated buses to travel across dedicated lines. LinkUS had identified three initial corridors, on West Broad Street, East Main Street and Northwest. The plan also calls for 83 sidewalk, bike path and trail projects in central Ohio.
Issue 47 will lead to a tax increase that would bring Franklin County’s rate to 8%, tying it with Cuyahoga County for the highest in Ohio. The 0.5% increase would mean an extra 50 cents added on to every $100 spent, or $5 for every $1,000 spent.
Columbus is the largest city in the U.S. without a mass transit system, according to city leaders, who cite bus rapid transit as a step in the right direction. It’s not light rail, but it’s been touted as a cheaper alternative.