Centro Makes Its Official Arrival in Cortland County – Offering Lower Fares

During a press conference Monday morning in front of the Cortland County Office Building representatives from Centro, Cortland County, the City of Cortland, and New York State, cut the ribbon to celebrate Centro arriving in Cortland County.

Centro, also known as the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, is now providing public transportation services for the county. Centro currently operates public transportation services in Onondaga, Cayuga, Oswego, and Oneida Counties.

“We are thrilled to begin bus services in Cortland County.” Centro Deputy Chief Executive Officer Christopher Tuff said during the press conference. “Residents can look forward to safe, reliable, and equitable transportation that will use the latest technologies to make using the bus an easy, convenient, and desirable option. Our mission is to be a driving force moving communities forward, and that’s what we intend to do in Cortland.”

Centro operations in Cortland County will be from 6am to 6pm weekdays with 7 routes in total. Details on those routes may be found on Centro’s website. Centro says they will be conducting research for several months as they learn more about ridership and opportunities within Cortland County. Residents will also see lower fares. Centro says bus fares for city routes will be $1 per ride and $3 per ride for their commuter service to Cornell University (Route 7).

A new service called Call-A-Bus will also be available for qualifying residents with a disability. This service replaces the previous Dial-A-Ride by FirstTransit. Eligibility for Call-A-Bus are individuals with a functional disability that prevents the use of the fixed route bus service and has completed an application to determine eligibility. The service area for Call-A-Bus is ¾ of a mile beyond Routes 1-4 and Route 6 service areas; fares are $2 per trip, a personal care attendant may ride at no additional cost.

Credit for Centro taking over public transportation services in the county was credited by Cortland County Legislative Chairman Fitch to the Ag/Planning/Environmental Committee within the county legislature. Chair of the Committee, Legislator Beau Harbin spoke on the start of finding continued service for the county.

“About a year ago we were faced with a looming crisis over public transportation here in Cortland. In the face of significantly increased costs for taxpayers, how’re we going to continue to provide service for our residents? Were we going to be able to offer bus services or have to close it down as we’ve seen other rural communities across Upstate be forced to do.” Harbin said.

He continued on to say the team from the County Planning Department, Legislature, County Administration, and other community groups looked at all options that county could take. This search led to the county learning about the 1972 opt-out the county did when Centro was first established. That 1970s decision by the county though, could easily be overturned, Harbin added. Last August, the County Legislature then voted unanimously to have Centro take over public transportation services for the county.

Annual ridership with Centro is over 7.2 million passengers with over 5.8 million miles driven. The organization currently employs over 570 with 251 buses in their fleet. Centro says their mission is to be a driving force moving communities forward.

“Efficient and affordable public transportation supports equity and economic access in the community and is instrumental in creating and stabilizing a strong middle class,” said New York Assembly Member Anna Kelles. “I’m honored to be championing a proposal in the state budget negotiations that adds Cortland to the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority and channels Standard Transit Operating Aid to Cortland, bringing lower bus fares and a wider service area, and will continue working to get these proposals over the finish line. I’m proud that the Assembly additionally supported increased capital funding for upstate transportation and will work with Cortland County and CENTRO to access this funding in the coming year.”