COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--The Central Ohio Transit Authority will begin a pilot program to offer discounts for riders that are on public assistance.
Eligible riders can begin getting the discounts on Tuesday, March 1st, once they show proof they are receiving any one of several forms of assistance, at COTA's Customer Experience Center downtown.
Customers on public assistance will have their fares capped at $2.25 per day, or $31 per month. It also only applies to those using the agency's account-based digital payment system, and not to cash fares.
Riders eligible for this discount are those that are receiving:
- SNAP food assistance
- Publicly-funded childcare
- Ohio Works First cash assistance
- Prevention, Retention, and Contingency emergency assistance
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
The pilot program is initially scheduled for six months. COTA already offers fare assistance to seniors, veterans, children, and qualifying disabled customers.