The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and HAPCAP have just announced a historic expansion of the GoBus intercity network. It's a move that will double the service footprint, add four new routes, and connect communities like Bowling Green, Fremont, Marion, Middletown, and Oxford to the statewide system.

Passenger Rail advocates at All Aboard Ohio see this as a monumental win. It's a win for rural mobility, a win for students connecting to 32 universities, and a win for connecting 47 Ohio counties. But most importantly this as a critical and strategic step toward building a fully integrated, multimodal transportation network in Ohio.

GoBus Expansion

The GoBus program has demonstrated a remarkable growth trajectory since its launch, expanding from just 10,000 annual riders in 2010 to over 129,000 in 2024. The 2025 expansion is poised to accelerate this growth significantly. According to ODOT's projections, the cumulative impact of the new services will be substantial:  

• Network Size: The total number of GoBus routes will increase to nine.  

• Local Integration: The expansion will facilitate 27 new connections with local transit systems, enhancing first- and last-mile mobility for passengers.  

• Educational Access: The network will connect to 32 universities, solidifying its role as a vital link for students across the state.  

• Geographic Coverage: The number of Ohio counties with at least one GoBus stop will rise to 47.  

• Ridership: Estimated annual ridership is projected to reach 153,000, an increase of nearly 19% over 2024 levels.  

Building the Foundation for Passenger Rail

The new routes will create a "feeder system" for future rail corridors. By connecting communities like Marion, Middletown, and Yellow Springs, the GoBus expansion directly addresses the "first- and last-mile" challenge, making it easier for people to reach future stations along the proposed 3C+D (Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati) rail line and Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit route.

Second, and even more strategically, the state's plan includes a new route connecting Columbus and Pittsburgh. This bus route directly parallels the proposed "Midwest Connect" passenger rail corridor. Over the next years this bus route is expected to build a ridership base, prove market demand, and gather data needed to make an even stronger case for federal and state investment in the parallel rail line.

Multimodal Vision: Buses and Rail Work Together

This expansion is exactly what advocates like All Aboard Ohio has been advocating for. For over 50 years, the organization has championed a seamlessly connected system. All Aboard Ohio has always believed that a thriving public transportation network is an ecosystem, not a competition between modes.

AAO's October statewide virtual meeting, "What About a Statewide Bus Network?", brought this very topic to the forefront. The discussion highlighted how bus and rail advocacy are two sides of the same coin. Buses fill essential mobility gaps, especially in rural areas, and connect passengers to airports and, to future train stations.