COTA's New Line 30 Will Link Dublin, Hilliard and Upper Arlington to Ohio State

Getting around Columbus is about to get easier. The Central Ohio Transit Authority, or COTA, approved its 2026 budget. It funds a brand new bus route called Line 30. This line will connect Dublin, Hilliard, and Upper Arlington to The Ohio State University.

That is a big deal for the west and northwest suburbs. As COTA explains, the new route ties these fast-growing areas straight to one of the region's largest job and school hubs. If you live in Dublin, you could ride to campus without fighting traffic or parking.

The 2026 budget does more than add one line. COTA says it adds about 94,000 more service hours. That means buses come more often on many current routes. It also hires 42 new drivers and buys 38 new buses and 30 new vans. More buses and more drivers mean shorter waits for you.

There is a bigger plan behind all this. It is called LinkUS. NBC4 reports that LinkUS is Central Ohio's plan for better sidewalks, faster transit, protected bike lanes, and more trails. The 2026 budget sets aside $51 million for LinkUS work. That covers 37 sidewalk and bikeway projects.

Why should you care where you live? Transit shapes home demand. Homes near good bus routes and trails are easier to reach without a car. That makes them more valuable over time. When a suburb like Dublin gets a direct link to campus and jobs, it becomes a stronger place to buy or rent.

Easy transit also helps families with one car or none. It helps students and young workers who do not want a big car payment. Those buyers and renters look for spots near good service. Line 30 puts Dublin, Hilliard, and Upper Arlington on that map in a new way.

There is one caution. Not every LinkUS piece is on time. WOSU reports that the West Broad Street rapid transit line may be redesigned. Construction there could slip by as much as 16 months. COTA calls that timeline "fluid." So some parts of the plan will move faster than others.

What should you watch for next? Watch for the exact launch date for Line 30. The budget funds it, but COTA has not named a start day. Watch which streets get new sidewalks and bike lanes first. And watch for updates on West Broad Street.

If you want to live near future transit, do a little homework. Look at the LinkUS maps before you shop. A home near a strong route can save you time and money for years. You can find a home close to the routes that matter to you.

The takeaway is simple. COTA is funding a new Dublin-to-Ohio-State bus line and adding lots more service in 2026. Better transit makes neighborhoods more livable. And more livable neighborhoods hold their value.

Sources: COTA, NBC4, WOSU