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Transportation Matters is the new digital information resource and companion to the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority website (http://www.centro.org).
Centro Announces Service Reductions to Close Budget Gap
In an effort to help close a projected $6 million budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2010, Centro is announcing service reductions that will go into effect in March. The changes include the consolidation, reduction or discontinuance of a select number of bus services that are performing poorly in Syracuse and Onondaga County and reconfiguration of service along one bus route in Utica.
“These reductions in Syracuse were originally proposed during a series of public hearings held in February of this year and were deferred in order to preserve these services for as long as possible for our customers,” said CNYRTA Executive Director Frank Kobliski. “However, our fiscal situation has reached a point where we can no longer financially support these services.”
In Utica, Centro is proposing a reconfiguration and consolidation of bus routes that currently serve customers along its 14 Mohawk Route.
“We are carefully looking at ways to most efficiently provide our services while maintaining our customers’ access to our bus systems,” said CNYRTA Executive Director Frank Kobliski.
“Our Utica staff has conducted research in order to try and identify neighborhoods that can be more efficiently served.”
At this time, we are focusing on the corridor along our 14 Mohawk Route which also has nearby service from the following Centro routes: 111 New York Mills, 12 Bleeker St., 15 James St., 20 Lenox, 22 South St., 24 Genesee St., and 31 Oneida – Chadwicks. Our proposal would discontinue the Mohawk route while adding evening service to the 20 Lenox route in order to meet the demands of Utica College, St. Luke’s Hospital, ConMed and the Utica Business Park. A public hearing on the proposed changes in Utica will be held in January. An exact date and time will be determined in the near future.
Centro’s budget deficit has been created by the erosion of Centro’s two most vital funding sources: New York State transit operating assistance and the mortgage recording tax. The two funding sources account for more than 50% of Centro’s operating budget.
The projected savings from the service reductions, along with a proposed route consolidation in the City of Utica, would be approximately $1.3 million. Centro will fill the remainder of its $6 million budget gap through the use of reserve funds and by shifting federal grant money previously targeted for capital expenses to cover its operational costs. The shifting of these capital funds will have no affect on Centro’s plans to relocate its transfer hub in downtown Syracuse.
Centro has no current plans to raise its base fares for its customers. There are no proposed service reductions for Centro bus services in Oswego or Cayuga counties at this time.
The following Syracuse routes will be affected:
Route 723 Minoa-Suburban East
This route will be discontinued. Rush hour service connecting Minoa to downtown Syracuse will still be available on Centro’s 323x Minoa route. Centro will adjust its midday service on its existing 62 Fayetteville Manlius route to serve the North East Medical Center, which is currently served by the Route 723 Minoa-Suburban East.
Route 78 Fairmount & Route 178 Fairmount
These two routes will be consolidated into a single route operating during morning and evening rush hours. Midday service would be discontinued, however midday service to the St. Camillus Residential Health Care facility will be maintained on Centro’s 66 Grand Avenue route.
Route 72 East Colvin
Some trips will be discontinued. Customers will still be able to access the Loretto and Iroquois senior facilities via Centro’s 240 Nob Hill route.
Route 70 Oak-Darlington
This route will be discontinued. Customers in this area have nearby access to the Centro bus system on the following routes: 116 North Salina, 20 James St, 52 Court – Park and 80 Grant Blvd.
Route 62 Fayetteville – Manlius
Midday service will operate between Manlius, Fayetteville and Shoppingtown Mall. Those that wish to continue to downtown Syracuse during midday can make a direct transfer at Shoppingtown Mall to other Centro bus routes that serve downtown. This route will now serve the North East Medical Center in order to compensate for the discontinuance of the 723 Suburban East – Minoa route. |
Terry Humelsine, WreckMaster Exec. VP, Director of R&D and Senior Lead Instructor assisting and explaining the way to properly right a bus after it has rolled over on its’ side during a recent training exercise at the Regional Transportation Authority.
Sign up for the NEW Text Message Alert System
Centro is finalizing the developments of its Text Message Alert System. The Alert System allows users to sign up to receive updates on their phones and computers regarding Centro bus service.
This is particularly useful in the event of severe weather when buses may be operating on snow routes, during significant construction detours, or when operating on extended service delays.
Registered users will have customizable options for when they would like to receive the alerts including: time of day, day of the week, and if they want them delivered to them via email, to their cellular device, or both. Click here to sign up!
Centro presents “Best Practice” in Transit Trainer’s Workshop
The National Transit Institute (NTI) welcomed Centro to participate in the annual Transit Trainer’s Workshop held in Cleveland, Ohio this past October. Centro’s participation included attending various train the trainer sessions and workshops and was also invited to present a training program for bus operators to effectively call out their ADA bus stop announcements. This training program, designed by Centro, has been recognized both on a state and national level as a best practice for other transit properties to emulate.
Well over 200 transit professionals involved in human resources, operations, maintenance, and safety training attend the workshop each year. Centro’s session was very well attended and received many compliments on the training techniques from other Transportation providers.
Introducing the New Fayetteville Towne Center Park-N-Ride
Commuters in Syracuse’s eastern suburbs now have a new transportation option with the addition of a Park-N-Ride bus shelter at Fayetteville Towne Center. With this addition, Centro now operates 14 Park-N-Rides throughout Onondaga County.
Centro operates direct Express and Local service between the Towne Center Park-N-Ride and Upstate Hospital, downtown Syracuse and other major employers on its Route 62, 262 and 262x Fayetteville -Manlius bus route. There is no charge to park in the parking lot near the Park-N-Ride.
For more information on bus service to this Park-N-Ride location click here! |
New Centro Bus Shelter at the corner of S. Salina and E. Colvin Streets
Syracuse, NY- Centro has constructed a new bus shelter at the corner of South Salina and East Colvin Streets, in front of the Onondaga County Public Library Beauchamp Branch. To celebrate the installation, Centro will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10a.m. on December 11, 2009 at the site of the new shelter.
“We are very pleased to provide this shelter as a way to enhance the quality of our bus service for our customers. As this shelter is a part of the second most traveled routes that Centro provides, we are sure this will be a welcomed convenience with the changing of the seasons,” stated Central New York Regional Transportation Authority Executive Director, Frank Kobliski.
“It has been a pleasure working with Centro to provide the Southside community with additional amenities and continued reliable and regular bus service,” said 1st District Syracuse Common Councilor Van Robinson (D). “Centro is a staple and necessary service to the Syracuse community and their continued efforts to improve customers’ experience is a real benefit.”
The bus shelter location is regularly served by the Route #10 South Salina buses that provide 2,446 rides on an average weekday. For more information regarding the #10 South Salina service or for general information, please contact Centro at 315-442-3400 or visit www.centro.org. |
Kobliski Elected President of NYPTA for Second Term
Albany, NY—Frank Kobliski, Executive Director of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority in Syracuse, was elected President of the New York Public Transit Association, Inc. (NYPTA) at the 2009 Public Transit Fall Conference in Albany, N.Y.
“I am honored to be elected as President of this association once again. This is a critical time for public transportation. One of our main objectives will be to secure adequate and reliable funding for public transit authorities across New York State to ensure the long term health of our transportation systems,” said Kobliski.
As President, Kobliski will be responsible for overseeing the business of the association and will serve as the primary spokesperson for the public transportation industry in New York State.
It is the second time Kobliski has been elected as NYPTA President. He previously served a two- year term as President from 2003-2005. Kobliski has also served as NYTPA Vice-President and as a member of the NYPTA Board of Directors and Chair of the Legislative & Policy Committee.
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