The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in Columbus launched a year-long celebration of its 40th-anniversary year with a family-friendly celebration Dec. 31 at First Night Columbus, followed by free fares on New Year’s Day.

COTA’s “Bus Ride to Fun” at First Night Columbus gave guests an opportunity to enter a prize drawing by collecting at least seven exhibitor stamps on a special pass. The agency also provided late night service on two bus routes until 3 a.m. on Jan. 1.

In recognition of COTA’s first day providing public transportation services on Jan. 1, 1974, passengers rode free between midnight Jan. 1 and midnight Jan. 2. The agency will also mark service changes throughout the year with special 50-cent fares on the first day of each change.