Whether you’re new to the Central Ohio area or a longstanding resident, the Columbus Moving Company is here to tell you about a new transportation initiative that may dramatically alter the way you commute. Central Ohio planning officials have announced the launch of a special pilot program offering free bus passes to office workers who commute to the Columbus city center. Organizers hope that the pilot will help alleviate parking shortages and traffic congestion that have affected the downtown area.

The ABC’s of the New Pilot Program

The program will offer free bus passes to about 1,000 employees from five companies so that they can commute to and from their downtown offices. The five companies expected to participate in this program include Bricker & Eckler LLP, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, State Auto Financial Corporation, Huntington Bancshares, and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. The MORPC will fund the initiative with up to $100,000, which will be used to refund employers for their workers’ bus fares. If officials approve the measure on May 14, the pilot program will run for 20 months, from May 1, 2015 to December 2016.

A New Way Forward?

Though the pilot is limited to 1,000 workers, officials’ ultimate goal is to shift at least 5 percent of the estimated 43,000 downtown workers toward public transportation. According to officials, this rise in use of public buses would have results equivalent to building three parking garages. Unlike garages, however, this initiative would free up precious space in the city center while reducing traffic congestion