Downtown workers might receive unlimited free access to city buses if a test program takes off this year.
A group of 1,050 Downtown employees at five companies will receive a special credential to ride Central Ohio Transit Authority buses free through the end of 2016 as local organizations test ways to open up parking spaces for new companies that want to move to the city center.
If enough of those who are eligible shift from driving to taking the bus, the program could be extended to all 40,000 Downtown workers, said Cleve Ricksecker, executive director of the Capital Crossroads special improvement district.
“The challenge we face right now is, how do we accommodate more people?” he said. “As parking facilities fill up, we need to look at alternatives and more parking.”
Initially, select workers at Nationwide Insurance; Bricker & Eckler LLP; Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP; Huntington Bank’s 37 W. Broad St. office; and State Auto Financial’s 175 S. 3rd St. office will be eligible for the passes.
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