Delaware County Regional Transit Authority (DCRTA) Frequently Asked Questions
What is this ‘transit tax’ on the November 3, 2026 ballot?
Voters in Delaware County will be asked whether to approve a 0.2% sales and use tax to support their local public transit system. The entire county will vote on this, except for portions of the cities of Columbus, Dublin, and Westerville, which currently pay a 1.0% sales tax to COTA.
Is this a property tax?
No, this is specifically NOT a property tax. Many community residents are feeling the burden of rising property taxes, but transit agencies across Ohio are funded with sales tax revenues, not property taxes. This will only apply to purchases subject to Ohio sales tax.
How much will this cost my household?
The sales tax would be 0.20 cents on a taxable $100 purchase, or about $1 on a taxable $500 purchase. For example, if you make a purchase of $98.75 before tax at a retailer, your final bill will go from $105.66 without the transit tax to $105.85 with it.
How do other counties fund their transit systems? How would this rate compare?
Ohio has 11 major transit systems, and they’re all funded through the county sales tax. This 0.2% request would be the second-lowest in the entire State. The major urban areas (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Toledo) have 0.5% to 1.0% sales taxes for transit, while smaller cities and suburban counties tend to use 0.25% to 0.5% rates.
Who will pay this tax, if passed?
Since this is paid at the cash register, every household will pay a slightly different total over the course of a year. However, because many people in the region travel to Delaware County to make purchases, out-of-county shoppers will pay a significant portion of this tax.
Does this apply to all purchased goods?
No, the tax will apply only to purchases already subject to Ohio sales tax. Many day-to-day expenses, like groceries, gasoline, utilities, prescription drugs, medical equipment, and many business and charity expenses, are exempt from sales tax.
Why is the request for a ‘continuing’ period of time?
Currently, DCRTA does not receive any dedicated local funding for transit. This sales tax would establish a stable, predictable baseline of local support that allows us to grow our services wisely, efficiently, and in line with the growth of the county.
What transit services does DCT currently offer?
We currently provide two major services: FLEX and Demand Response. FLEX is our same-day, curb-to-curb, Uber-like service primarily in the City of Delaware and Sunbury/Galena. Demand Response is a pre-scheduled, door-to-door service that runs countywide and offers transportation for many older adults, individuals with disabilities, veterans, students, employees, and the general public.
Does DCT intend to offer fixed-route, “big bus” service, as it used to?
That is not in our game plan, and we do not think that model fits the needs of Delaware County or its residents. DCT previously offered this service in preceding decades, but our riders and residents have been clear that it’s not the right fit for our community.
How would revenue from the proposed tax be used?
Revenue generated by the proposed tax would be used for public transportation across Delaware County. Based on our current service plan, we expect to:
- Expand FLEX service in the City of Delaware to 7 days per week.
- Expand FLEX microtransit throughout Orange Township.
- Establish microtransit service in Powell and Liberty Township.
- Purchase and maintain our fleet of van-style transit vehicles.
- Launch same-day Demand Response service, countywide.
- Find smart connections in the transit service areas in southern Delaware County.
- Plan future commuter or express transportation service as the county grows.
- Investigate expansion of our transit facility, or development of a satellite facility in southern Delaware County.
These would not all happen right away. Service improvements will be implemented in phases based on demand, funding availability, staffing, vehicle availability, operational planning, and DCRTA Board approval.
How is Delaware County Transit currently funded?
Current operations are supported through federal and state grants, passenger fares, contracts, and local partnerships. Some grant and contract funds are restricted to specific programs or purposes. Passenger fares cover only a portion of the cost of providing public transportation.
Is the Delaware County Transit system used frequently?
DCT has been growing almost as fast as Delaware County! Last year, Delaware County Transit provided over 200,000 passenger trips (+174% since 2021), and we project that will grow to 225,000 trips this year. Last December, we ranked THIRD in the United States for Ridership Growth among communities our size.
What happens if the proposed tax is not approved?
DCRTA would operate as best we could with existing revenue from grants, contracts, fares, and partnerships. We would not be able to undertake the planned service expansions above, and would likely need to reduce our staff and offerings within a year.
What are the Election Details?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and early voting begins on October 6. For any questions related to voter registration, polling locations, absentee voting, and official election information, visit the Delaware County Board of Elections. The official ballot language is also available through the Delaware County Board of Elections.