The Central Ohio Transit Authority began operating in 1974 and has made gradual improvements to its fleet and network.

Prior to COTA's founding, bus service in the area was managed by the privately owned Columbus Transit Company (CTC).

In 1971 the CTC was in the midst of budget problems, so in order to maintain bus service in the area, the local governments of central Ohio created COTA.

[citation needed] In 1975, COTA launched the Key Card program, which provided a discount fare for those passengers with disabilities.

One of the first express bus services, the Beeline, was introduced in 1979 giving passengers a speedy ride up and down High Street.

In 1992, a 24-hour pass was introduced to allow riders unlimited trips to local and crosstown routes provided by COTA's new lift-equipped buses.

[4] In 2016, COTA introduced 4G connectivity in its buses, giving passengers better internet access and allowing for real-time bus tracking to improve communication and efficiency.

The project involved creating a larger, more inviting space, installing new ticket machines and a large display with transit information, and redesigning part of the building's exterior.

The project was inspired by the city of Boston converting a bike lane and on-street parking into a temporary busway.

The system includes a smart card that is available for purchase and refills, and a digital wallet through a smartphone app, allowing the use of displayed QR codes to pay when boarding buses.

Ridership had been steadily increasing over several decades, due to rising gas prices, COTA's bus network redesign, and other improvements.

[23] On April 27, following further route reductions and a third COTA worker testing positive, it announced all late-night and early hours would be cut, making all services only run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ridership declined, following a national and global trend.

[25] From May 30 to June 8, COTA rerouted service around downtown Columbus due to the city's George Floyd protests.

The plan will cost $1.2 billion and will include new rapid transit corridors, regional funding for sidewalks, bike infrastructure, greenways and other related upgrades, new bus routes, additional electric buses, 60-foot-long buses, higher frequency, longer service hours, and additional transit shelters and facilities.

[30] Also in 2023, COTA's board approved resolutions advancing the LinkUS project for bus rapid transit corridors.

The buses have USB charging ports; the stops have real-time information screens and some feature local art.

It was created to help reduce traffic congestion on Cleveland Avenue and bring economic activity to the area in and around Linden, a low-income neighborhood.

C-Pass holders, university students, children, and those with discount IDs receive free or reduced fares relative to their eligibility for other COTA services.

Recent emergency actions have included transport of police during the George Floyd protests and transit service as an essential operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[47] Payment is available on board with exact change, purchased bus passes, a refillable smart card, or through COTA's Connector app.

[49] Passes can be purchased at COTA's downtown office, the Spring Street Terminal, John Glenn International Airport, the Columbus State Community College Bookstore, or at supermarkets throughout Central Ohio.

[51] Users of the C-Pass employee program can use a mobile app or dedicated swipe card to board free.

[46] COTA bus service has also been made temporarily free during other emergencies, including at the beginning and height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[2] In June 2010 COTA introduced six hybrid buses, which offered a 48 percent increase in fuel efficiency over its diesel buses, a battery-powered electric motor and regenerative brakes that power the battery when pressed, an LED lighting system used inside and outside of the vehicle, and a smoother ride for passengers since the electric motors do not require shifting.

Due to rising gas prices at the time, COTA was concerned with reducing fuel emissions, which sparked the addition of the hybrid-electric buses.

[citation needed] In 2011, COTA conducted a study to consider the potential benefits of switching to compressed natural gas (CNG) to power its fixed-route bus fleet.

COTA completed a $76 million renovation of its McKinley Avenue Fixed-Route Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility.