Navigator Playbook Teacher Guide COTA Navigator Playbook
Transit Trailblazers: Central Ohio Edition
Duration: 60-90 min
Focus: COTA Bus System
Objectives
Identify COTA bus lines and major transfer hubs (e.g., Broad & High).
Calculate trip duration using COTA CMAX schedules.
Understand the Transit App/Smartcard fare system.
Solve elapsed time scenarios for multi-step commutes.
Preparation
Local CMAX and Line 2 schedules
COTA Code Reading (revised)
COTA Circuit Worksheet
Optional: Demo of Transit App
COMMUNITY EXECUTION
1
Local Hook: The Columbus Grid (10 min)
"How would you get from OSU to Easton without a car or Uber?"
Introduce COTA as the primary independence tool for Columbus residents.
2
Decoding CMAX & Line 2 (20 min)
Use slides to explain "Bus Rapid Transit" (CMAX) vs standard lines. Highlight the importance of the Broad & High downtown hub.
3
Elapsed Time Focus (20 min)
Practice calculating minutes between stops. Emphasize that "Wait Time" + "Ride Time" = Total Elapsed Time.
4
COTA Circuit Assessment (30 min)
Students complete the worksheet. Focus specifically on the new elapsed time problems in Part 2.
Differentiation
Support: Use a physical analog clock to help calculate elapsed time. Challenge: Calculate total fare using COTA's "Fare Capping" rules.
COTA Tip
Remind students that Line 1 and 2 are frequent service lines—they run every 15 minutes or better during the day!
Street Smarts Slides COTA Navigator
Columbus
Smarts
Mastering Central Ohio Transit
CMAX • Line 1 & 2 • Downtown Hub
Navigating Ohio
Columbus is a Grid City . COTA lines follow the major roads you already know!
Main Arteries:
High Street (N/S)Broad Street (E/W)Cleveland Ave (CMAX)
The Transit App
Your digital key to schedules, real-time arrivals, and fare payments.
Inbound vs Outbound
Inbound
Heading TOWARD the Downtown Hub (Broad & High). Look for "To Downtown" on the bus sign!
Outbound
Heading AWAY from Downtown toward neighborhoods or suburbs (e.g., "To Polaris").
Check the "Headsign" on top of the bus!
COTA Line Types
CMAX
Bus Rapid Transit! Fewer stops, Wi-Fi, and chargers. Cleveland Ave.
"Fast, frequent, and high-tech."
Local Lines
Lines like 1, 2, and 10. They stop more often for local neighborhood access.
"The workhorse of the city."
The Broad & High Hub
Almost every major COTA line passes through Downtown Columbus at Broad and High Streets.
Terminal
Indoor waiting area on S. 3rd St. & E. Rich St.
Transfers
Ask for a 'Transfer' if paying with cash.
Lost?
Head Downtown. It's the center of the web!
Clock Challenge #1
Scenario: Morning Commute
Departure: 8:12 AM (Northland Center)
How many minutes total?
Think Space
Clock Challenge #2
Scenario: Afternoon Transfer
Bus #1 arrives at Hub: 2:55 PM
How long is your wait time?
Wait Time
Transit Code Reading COTA Code
Central Ohio Transit Guide
Reference
COL_NAV_2026
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is the heartbeat of Columbus. Mastering the "COTA Code" is your ticket to community independence. From the high-tech CMAX to the historic Line 2, understanding the grid ensures you never stay lost for long.
1. Local Routes
Line / Direction Connects... Line 1 (N/S) Livingston / Kenny Line 2 (N/S) High St / OSU Union CMAX (N/S) Cleveland Ave / BRT Line 31 (E/W) OSU to Easton
2. Tech & Fares
Transit App
Payments & Real-Time Tracking.
Fare Capping
$4.50/day Max. Free after cap!
CMAX has free Wi-Fi!
Direction Detective: Inbound vs Outbound
Check the Sign
The electronic sign above the driver (Headsign) lists the destination. If it says "To Downtown," it is Inbound. If it lists a neighborhood (e.g., "To Polaris" ), it is Outbound.
The Transit App
Look at the route details. The app will label your trip as INBOUND (toward the city center) or OUTBOUND (away from the center) and show the bus icon moving on the map.
Stop Position
Bus stops are usually across the street from each other. Stand on the side of the street where the bus is moving toward Broad & High for Inbound trips.
Quick Check: Elapsed Time
Problem A: Commute Ride
Board Line 2 at OSU at 9:05 AM. Arrive Downtown at 9:28 AM.
Answer: ________ mins
Problem B: Wait Time
Arrive at 4:52 PM. Next bus departs at 5:15 PM.
Answer: ________ mins
🚌
COTA Navigator Challenge
OSU to Easton: Which line takes you there? Looking at Section 1, is it an Inbound (Downtown) or Outbound (Suburbs) trip from OSU?
City Circuit Worksheet COTA Circuit Worksheet
Central Ohio Transit & Elapsed Time Analysis
Name:
Date:
Part 1: COTA System Logic
LINE 2 (N. High St)
• OSU / Ohio Union
• Downtown Hub
• Reynoldsburg
CMAX (Cleveland)
• Polaris P&R
• Northland Center
• Downtown Hub
1. Transfer OSU to Polaris at:
2. Is OSU to Downtown Inbound or Outbound?
Part 2: Schedule & Math
Stop Location Bus #401 Bus #402 Bus #403 Polaris P&R 7:05 AM 7:20 AM 7:35 AM Northland Center 7:22 AM 7:37 AM 7:52 AM Downtown Hub 7:48 AM 8:03 AM 8:18 AM
3. Total Ride Time
Bus #402: Polaris P&R to Downtown Hub minutes?
4. Elapsed Wait + Ride
Arrive at 7:07 AM (missed #401). Minutes pass until reaching Northland on #402?
Part 3: COTA Technology
5. Fare Capping Math
3 rides = $6.00, cap is $4.50. Total charge?
6. Etiquette & Apps
Why have app QR ready before boarding?
City Circuit Answer Key Answer Key
COTA Circuit • Central Ohio Edition
TEACHER USE ONLY
Part 1: COTA System Logic
Question 1: Transfer Point
Broad & High (Downtown)
Rationale: This is the intersection hub for both Line 2 and the CMAX.
Question 2: Direction
Inbound
Rationale: Moving toward the central Downtown hub is always "Inbound" in the COTA system.
Part 2: Schedule Analysis
Question 3: Total Duration (Bus #402)
43 Minutes
Calculation: 7:20 AM to 8:03 AM. (8:03 - 7:20 = 43 minutes).
Question 4: Elapsed Time (The Missed Bus)
30 Minutes
Calculation: Arrive at 7:07 AM. Bus #402 arrives at 7:20 AM (Wait: 13 mins). Bus reaches Northland at 7:37 AM (Ride: 17 mins). Total elapsed time: 13 + 17 = 30 minutes.
Part 3: Transit Technology
Question 5: Fare Capping
3 Rides
Rationale: 2 rides = $4.00. The 3rd ride would normally be $2.00 (total $6.00), but capping hits at $4.50. So you pay for the first two and only $0.50 of the third.
Question 6: App Etiquette
"Before you step onto the bus / as the bus is approaching."
Rationale: Prevents holding up the line of passengers behind you.
