Ride COTA Around Columbus with the Ohio State App
Thanks to the Ohio State and Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) partnership, riding COTA around Columbus is easy with the COTA digital pass in the Ohio State app. Eligible Ohio State students, faculty and staff already have a digital pass ready inside the app. Scan it when you board, and you’re ready to ride!
Please note: Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2027, swiping your physical BuckID will no longer be accepted as a way to ride COTA.
Access the COTA Pass in the Ohio State App
- Eligible riders can download the Ohio State app and/or ensure you have the latest version.
- Sign in with your Ohio State username and password.
- Go to the "For You" screen and tap "COTA Ticket" to being up the QR code.
- Scan this QR code by holding your phone screen up to the validator located to your right when boarding a COTA bus.
- Submit feedback via the feedback button within the Ohio State app.
Students
Who Can Ride?
You are eligible to ride COTA and use the digital COTA pass in the Ohio State app if you:
- Are an Ohio State Columbus campus undergraduate, graduate or professional student (and)
- Are enrolled in at least one in-person class on the Columbus campus for the current semester (and)
- Have the COTA fee on your current statement of account
About the Program
Eligible students receive unlimited rides on COTA services for a $13.50 fee per term, which is automatically added to their statement of account.
Summer Term
Students who are not enrolled in classes during the summer may purchase a COTA summer student pass at the COTA office only. To qualify, you must present your BuckID and have been enrolled in the previous semester.
Faculty and Staff
Who Can Ride?
Ohio State faculty and staff enrolled in the COTA bus pass payroll deduction program are eligible to ride using the digital COTA pass in the Ohio State app.
About the Program
- The COTA Bus Pass Program provides unlimited rides on COTA services through a pre-tax payroll deduction taken from their pay each month.
- Eligible employees must enroll in this voluntary deduction to participate. COTA bus access will begin the month, on the first of the month, following the deduction being withheld from their paycheck.
- Tax laws do not permit refunds of a pre-tax deduction once deducted. In addition, the "start date" listed on the Workday enrollment page indicates the earliest start date as to the month when the deduction will become active in the system, not the start date as to when access will begin for COTA ridership.
- For questions about the COTA pass payroll deduction program, email Transportation and Traffic Management at ttminfo@osu.edu.
Enrollment
Enroll in the COTA bus pass payroll deduction program through Workday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are COTA and Ohio State moving to a digital pass to ride COTA?
COTA and Ohio State are transitioning to COTA's current fare technology. The existing BuckID-based system relies on older technology that is being phased out. Beginning Jan. 6, 2027, eligible students, faculty and staff will use the digital COTA pass in the Ohio State app to ride COTA.
When will the digital COTA pass be available in the Ohio State app?
Eligible students, faculty and staff already have access to the digital COTA pass in the Ohio State app.
How do I access my digital COTA pass?
Open the Ohio State app, sign in with your Ohio State username and password, go to the “For You” tile and tap the “COTA Ticket” to find your QR code.
Can I use my digital COTA pass on multiple devices?
The COTA digital pass in the Ohio State app can only be used on one device at a time. If you switch devices, such as getting a new phone, the app will ask you to approve a device switch when you open the digital pass, making it your active device. Device switches are limited; support options are available in the app if you run into any issues.
Can I continue using my BuckID to ride COTA?
No. Beginning Jan. 6, 2027, BuckIDs will no longer be accepted to ride COTA. Riders will need to use the digital COTA pass in the Ohio State app or a physical COTA smartcard.
What if my phone battery dies?
The digital COTA pass must be displayed in the Ohio State app when boarding COTA. If your phone battery dies and you are unable to access the app, you will not be able to use the digital pass to board COTA.
What should I do if I do not have a smartphone or cannot use the Ohio State app?
A physical COTA Smartcard will be available through the BuckID office for eligible students, faculty and staff who do not have a smartphone or who are unable to use the Ohio State app. Additional details will be shared before the end of autumn semester 2026.
I would like a COTA Smartcard. What do I need to do?
Complete the COTA Smartcard interest form so we can contact you when COTA Smartcard details and availability are finalized.
Do I need to pay for a COTA Smartcard?
No, there is no additional charge for the COTA Smartcard.
Can I use both the digital COTA pass in the Ohio State app and a physical COTA Smartcard?
No. Riders may use either the digital COTA pass in the Ohio State app or a physical COTA Smartcard, but not both interchangeably.
Can I use my mobile BuckID instead of the digital COTA pass in the Ohio State app?
No. The mobile BuckID and the digital COTA pass in the Ohio State app are separate. The mobile BuckID cannot be used to ride COTA.
Can I add my digital COTA pass to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet?
No. The COTA pass cannot be added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. To ride, you must open and display the pass directly within the Ohio State app.
How can I share questions or feedback about the Ohio State app?
Submit your comments via the feedback button within the Ohio State app.