Central New York Regional Transportation Authority

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Central New York Regional Transportation Authority
(CENTRO)
logo
Slogan Destination: Excellence
Founded 1970
Headquarters One Centro Center
Locale Syracuse
Service type Bus Transit
Fleet 287
Daily ridership Approximately 50,000
Fuel type Diesel, CNG, Diesel-electric hybrid
Web site Centro's website

The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, known as Centro, is the operator of mass transit in Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, and Oneida counties in New York state. The CNYRTA was formed on August 1, 1970, along with similar agencies in Rochester, Albany, and Buffalo. CENTRO won the American Public Transportation Association's 2006 "Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award" for bus companies serving 4 million to 30 million riders a year.

Contents

[edit] Overview

A typical Centro bus stop sign

Centro operates four separate systems concentrated in the urban areas of the counties served. Each operates based on a hub-and-spoke route system with downtown transfer centers, although efforts have been made in recent years in the Syracuse area to provide direct services between outlying points without requiring passengers to change buses downtown.

Initially, Centro operations consisted of the local bus services in each city and private coach lines continued to provide intercity connecting service between the various counties. Although the private firms later received public subsidies, the economics of providing those services gradually declined and most of these routes were taken over by the CNYRTA as noted below.

[edit] CNY Centro (Syracuse area)

The main service area is the city of Syracuse and suburban Onondaga County. Centro took over the assets and operations of the Syracuse Transit Corporation on January 17, 1972 and those of the suburban Syracuse & Eastern Transit Corp. in 1974. Most routes begin in Downtown Syracuse, spread out through the city, and connect with the rest of Onondaga County. CNY Centro also operates Syracuse University shuttle routes and Syracuse City School District routes for city middle and high school students. Since 1989 all Centro routes in the Syracuse area are accessible to wheelchair patrons.

[edit] Centro of Oswego

Routes are based in the City of Oswego, New York. Service began on August 28, 1972. Routes extend east and west through the city. The neighboring communities of Fulton and Mexico are also provided with fixed route service. Centro assumed operation of Oswego-Fulton-Syracuse intercity bus service from S&O Coach on June 21, 1993. Centro also provides free bus service on the SUNY Oswego campus.

[edit] Centro of Cayuga

Routes are based in the City of Auburn, New York. Service began on April 2, 1973. Since 2004 all local bus routes are interconnected, offering one-seat rides throughout the city. Centro of Cayuga provides service connecting Auburn and outlying rural communities with Downtown Syracuse. Centro assumed operation of Auburn-Syracuse intercity bus service from Onondaga Coach on August 30, 1993.

[edit] Centro of Oneida

Centro of Oneida began operation on April 1, 2005 with the acquisition of the financially troubled Utica Transit Authority based in Utica, New York. The UTA was a local agency only and did not have the same ability to raise revenues as a public benefit corporation such as the CNYRTA. Merging the local county bus operations into the Centro system brought greater financial stability. On October 1, 2005 Centro of Oneida assumed the operations of the VIP Transportation bus system in Rome, New York. This merger of services has allowed for improved transit for citizens of Oneida County. All of the former UTA and VIP buses were reconditioned with digital destination signs, upgraded air conditioning systems and new fare collection equipment. All buses are wheelchair accessible.

However, Oneida County routes do not connect directly to those in Onondaga, Cayuga, and Oswego Counties. Service between Utica, Rome and Syracuse was operated by Central New York Coach Lines until 1993 and these rights are now owned by Birnie Bus Service.

[edit] Current Routes

[edit] Onondaga County Routes

A coach for long-distance routes and a typical Centro city bus at the Regional Transportation Center
Route Number Route Name Variations
10 South Salina - Nedrow 110, 210, 310, 410, 410X
510 Tully - Lafayette Express
16 North Salina - 7th North 116, 216
20 James - Eastwood 120
21 James - Sunnycrest 121
22 James - Carrier - New Venture Gear 122
23 James - East Syracuse 123, 223
323X East Syracuse - Minoa Express
723 Suburban East
26 South 126, 226, 226X, 326
28 South - Valley 128
30 SU - Westcott 130, 230, 330, 430, 530
36 West Genesee - Camillus - Elbridge 136, 136X, 336
40 SU - Nob Hill 140, 240
340 SU - Drumlins
543 Connective Corridor Shuttle
46 Liverpool - Route 57 146
48 Liverpool - Morgan 148, 248
50 Carousel Center
250 Hancock Airport/Hancock Air Park 350
52 Court - Park
152 Court - Industrial Park 152X
54 Midland - Valley 154, 254
56 Stolp - Strathmore 156, 256, 356
58 Parkhill 158
62 Fayetteville - Manlius 162, 262, 262X
64 West Onondaga 164
66 Grand 166
68 East Fayette - Erie 168
70 Oak - Darlington 170
72 Townsend - East Colvin 172
74 Solvay - Milton 174, 474
274 Solvay - Avery 374
76 East Genesee - Salt Springs 176
78 Fairmount 178
80 Grant 180
82 Baldwinsville 182, 282, 282X
84 Mattydale 184
86 Henry Clay 186, 286
88 North Syracuse - Cicero 88X, 188, 288
388 Central Square

[edit] Cayuga County Routes

Route Number Route Name Variations
1 West Genesee
2 Franklin
3 North St
4 State
5 Lake - Owasco
236 / 38 Auburn - Syracuse 138, 238
Auburn - Moravia - CCF
Auburn - Welch Allyn - Tessy Plastics
Auburn - Port Byron - New Venture Gear

[edit] Oswego County Routes

Route Number Route Name Variations
1A Price Chopper Plaza via 104
1B Price Chopper Plaza via Hamilton Homes
1C Price Chopper Plaza via Seneca
1D Price Chopper Plaza -Brandonwood Homes Ext.
2A College via 104
2B College via Seneca
2C College via Sunrise Terrace - West Utica St
2D College via Ellen
246 Oswego - Syracuse 246X
Fulton Local Bus
Oswego - Mexico - Fulton

[edit] Oneida County Routes - Utica

Route Number Route Name Variations
11 Whitesboro
111 New York Mills
12 Bleecker
14 Mohawk 114
15 James
20 Lenox
22 South St
24 Genesee - Sangertown
25 Sunset
27 Leland
28 Herkimer Rd
29 Riverside 129
30 Clinton
31 Oneida St 131

[edit] Oneida County Routes - Rome

Route Number Route Name Variations
2 Wal-Mart
4 Turin St - Williams Rd
5 Price Chopper
6 Griffiss Technology Park
7 Bloomfield - Tuxedo Park
9 Madison - Rome Hospital

[edit] Projects

[edit] Syracuse Common Center relocation

The 'Common Center' has traditionally been the main transfer point for Syracuse routes, dating back to the streetcar era. The location is in the heart of Downtown Syracuse, at the intersection of Salina and Fayette Streets. Buses utilize all four corners to "line up". There are many downsides to the current setup, the biggest being the lack of protection from the weather. The few benches, canopies and bus shelters offer minimal protection from the elements, a less than ideal situation given the area's frigid winter temperatures. Also, passengers are often forced to cross one of the busiest intersections in Downtown twice to transfer between buses. The congestion caused by having up to twenty, full-sized city buses at the corner at any given time has been blamed for the lack of development in the 300 block of South Salina St.

For the past twelve years Centro has planned to move the Common Center to an off-street location. After various locations were reviewed and ultimately rejected, a site at the intersection of Adams and Salina Streets was chosen in 2006. This site currently hosts a Red Cross blood center. Through eminent domain Centro plans to tear down the standing building and build a new, indoor facility. The facility will offer a bus bay for every route, covered outdoor waiting, and indoor waiting. The facility will provide public restroom facilities, an information center, and possibly a food vendor, such as Dunkin Donuts. This move will benefit the riders of Centro and be the first step in the redevelopment of the 300 block of South Salina.

Plans were approved by the Federal Transit Administration in November 2008, and Centro hopes to select a design and construction firm by February 2009 and complete the new Common Center by April 2011.

[edit] Fare Collection

[edit] Paying With Cash

Centro allows riders to board buses with cash, coins, or transit cards.

Fares vary by county. The cash fare for Onondaga County routes is $1.00, with free transfers to complete one way trips. Extension fares of $.25 must be paid for extra zones crossed. The cash fare for local bus service in Cayuga and Oswego counties is 60 cents. The cash fare for the Utica routes is $1.10 with a 5-cent fee for transfers and a 15-cent zone extension fare, and the fare in the city of Rome is 75 cents.

[edit] Paying With Transit Cards

In Onondaga County, Centro has three types of transit cards. The 7 Day ($10) and 30 Day ($40) Unlimited Ride passes are good for any amount of rides taken in the allotted amount of days. A Debit Card also can be purchased for $10 and the correct fare is deducted upon each use. Discounted passes are also offered in Utica and Rome.


[edit] Active Bus Fleet

Fleet Numbers Year Model Length Engine Destination Sign Assigned Divisions Comments
540 1992 Orion V 5.501 Suburban 40 Diesel LED CNY Centro 540 was the only diesel Orion to be rehabbed. The current paint scheme was added as well as LED signs and new A/C and 7 wheelchair positions.
536-539 1994 Orion V 5.501 Suburban 40 Diesel Roll Sign CNY Centro These buses are mostly retired.
2099 1995 Orion V 5.505 30 Diesel LED Centro of Oneida-Rome Ex-VIP Trans. This bus were rehabbed in 2006. New A/C's, seats, signs, and paint scheme were added.
579-582 1996 Orion V 5.503 35 Diesel LED Centro of Oneida-Utica Ex-Utica Transit Authority. These buses were rehabbed in 2005. New A/C's, seats, signs, and paint scheme were added.
660-673 1996 MCI 102-D3 40 Diesel Roll Sign CNY Centro, Centro of Oswego, Centro of Cayuga On schedule to be replaced with 2009 MCI and Gillig buses.
9760-9777 1997 NovaBus RTS-06 WFD 40 CNG Flip Dot CNY Centro On schedule to be replaced with 18 Orion CNG buses in 2009. Delivered as 560-577
583-604 1999 Orion V 5.503 35 Diesel LED Centro of Oneida-Utica Ex-Utica Transit Authority. These buses were rehabbed in 2005. New A/C's, seats, signs, and paint scheme were added.
2199-2599 1999 Orion V 5.505 30 Diesel LED Centro of Oneida-Rome Ex-VIP Trans. These buses were rehabbed in 2006. New A/C's, seats, signs, and paint scheme were added.
9900-9977 1999 Orion V 5.501 40 CNG Flip Dot CNY Centro
674-680 2001 MCI 102-D3 40 Diesel Roll Sign CNY Centro, Centro of Oswego, Centro of Cayuga
2378-2382 2003 Orion V 5.503 35 CNG LED CNY Centro
2400-2409 2004 New Flyer D30LF 30 Diesel LED Centro of Oswego, Centro of Cayuga CNYRTA's first low-floor buses. Delivered to Centro of Cayuga first.
2500-2522 2005 New Flyer D40LF 40 Diesel LED CNY Centro, Centro of Oswego First low-floor buses for Syracuse and Oswego areas.
2523-2541 2005 New Flyer C40LF 40 CNG LED CNY Centro 2523-2533 feature suburban seating with two doors; 2534-2541 have local seating.
2700-2708 2007 Gillig Advantage Hybrid 40 Hybrid LED CNY Centro CNYRTA's first hybrid buses, feature an enhanced version of current paint scheme.
2720-2721 2007 Gillig Advantage 35 Diesel LED Centro of Oneida-Utica First low-floor buses for Utica area.
2800-2802 2008 Gillig Advantage 40 Diesel LED CNY Centro Suburban seating with two doors.
2810-2812 2008 Gillig Advantage 30 Diesel LED CNY Centro Connective Corridor buses.

[edit] Buses on Order

  • Five MCI coaches to replace five of the 1996 MCI coaches (available through an option held by Palmetto Breeze Transit in South Carolina)
  • One Orion 07.502 low-floor 35-foot diesel bus (available through an option held by Des Moines Area Regional Transit). This bus will be assigned to Centro of Oneida service in the city of Rome.


[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_New_York_Regional_Transportation_Authority"
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