The Central Ohio Transit Authority will begin charging fares again on January 11 for COTA Plus and fixed-route bus lines. COTA temporarily suspended fares when it began requiring rear-door boarding to reduce contact between drivers and passengers during the pandemic. COTA is installing protective barriers between drivers and passengers on 285 buses. Half will be installed by January 11 and the remainder of installations will be completed in the spring. The number of riders per bus on fixed routes is limited to 20 for COTA Plus and Mainstream vehicles. Masks are required.