ColumBUS is the primary provider of mass transportation in Columbus, Indiana with five routes serving the region. As of 2019, the system provided 228,818 rides over 30,234 annual vehicle revenue hours with 5 buses and 5 paratransit vehicles.[1]

ColumBUS
Headquarters850 Lindsey Street
LocaleColumbus, Indiana
Service areaBartholomew County, Indiana
Service typeBus service, paratransit
Routes5
StationsMill Race Station
Annual ridership228,818 (2019)
WebsiteColumBUS

History

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Public transit in Columbus began with mulecars in 1892, with the John S. Crump Street Railway. By 1901, the mulecars were replaced with streetcars, which in turn were replaced by buses in 1932.[2] In 2020, fares were proposed to be increased for the first time in 40 years, from 25 to 50 cents.[3] However, as of 2023, fares are indefinitely suspended.[4]

In 2022, ColumBUS trialed a new Route 1, with dedicated stops, compared to the flag-down system in place.[5]

Service

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ColumBUS operates 5 regular weekday bus routes on a pulse system with all routes departing Mill Race Station at 5 after the hour. Buses operate on a flag-down system with posted bus stops interspersed throughout the routes.[6]

Hours of operation for the system are Monday through Friday from 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. and on Saturdays from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. There is no service on Sundays. The service is fare free.[7][8]

Mill Race Station

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Mill Race Station, located at 850 Lindsey St, is the primary transfer point for ColumBUS. The transfer point features an indoor waiting area, restrooms, and five bus bays.[9] The facility opened on March 31, 2011 northwest of downtown Columbus.[10] The location along the railroad line would allow easy transfers to passenger trains if passenger rail service were to return to Columbus.[11]

Fixed route ridership

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The ridership statistics shown here are of fixed route services only and do not include demand response services.[12]

50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ColumBUS Agency Profile" (PDF). Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  2. ^ "Transit Systems in Indiana". Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  3. ^ Andy East (February 19, 2020). "ColumBUS considering increases in city bus fares". The Republic. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "Riders Guide" (PDF). Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "ColumBus Transit trying out new version of Route 1 beginning Tuesday". The Republic. September 2, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "Riders Guide" (PDF). Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  7. ^ "Fixed Route Service". Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  8. ^ "FAQs". Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  9. ^ "New terminal near Mill Race Center to open this month". The Republic. March 7, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  10. ^ "New bus terminal". The Republic. March 26, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  11. ^ "Location of transit center well-thought decision". The Republic. April 27, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  12. ^ "The National Transit Database (NTD)". Retrieved August 29, 2023.
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