Central New York Regional Transportation Authority

Central New York Regional Transportation Authority
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
Website www.centro.org

The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (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.

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.

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 high school students. Since 1989 all Centro routes in the Syracuse area are accessible to wheelchair patrons.

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 zero-fare bus service on the SUNY Oswego campus.

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.

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.

Current routes (as of February 2014)

Onondaga County

A coach for long-distance routes and a typical Centro city bus at the William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center, in Syracuse.
Route Number Route Name Variations
10 South Salina - Nedrow 110, 210, 310, 410, 410X
510 Tully - Lafayette Express
16 North Salina - 7th North 116, 216,316
20 James - Lamson 120
21 James - Sunnycrest 121
22 James - Carrier - New Venture Gear 122
23 James - East Syracuse- Shoppingtown 123, 223
323X East Syracuse - Minoa Local (via James Street)
26 South Ave. 126, 226, 226X, 326
28 South Salina - Valley 128
36 West Genesee - Camillus 136, 236
40 SU - Nob Hill 140, 240
340 SU - Drumlins 340C
46 Liverpool - Route 57
48 Liverpool - Morgan 148, 248
50 Carousel Center 550
52 Court - Park
152 Court - Industrial Park
58 Parkhill 158
62 Fayetteville - Manlius 162, 262, 262X, 362, 462
64 West Onondaga 164,264
66 Grand 166
68 East Fayette - Erie 168
72 Townsend - East Colvin 172
74 Solvay - Milton
274 Solvay - Avery 374
76 East Genesee - Salt Springs 176
80 Grant 180
82 Baldwinsville 182
84 Mattydale 184
86 Henry Clay 186, 286
88 North Syracuse - Cicero 188, 288
130 SU - Westcott 230, 330, 530
154 Midland - Valley 254
236 Auburn - Syracuse 38, 138
388 Central Square
443 Connective Corridor Shuttle

Cayuga County

Route Number Route Name Variations
1 West Genesee
2 Franklin
3 North St
4 State
5 Lake - Owasco
7 Auburn - Welch Allyn - Tessy Plastics
8 Auburn - Moravia - CCF
236 Auburn - Syracuse 38, 138

Oswego County

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 446X
Fulton Local Bus
Oswego - Mexico - Fulton

Oneida County - Utica

Route Number Route Name Variations
11 Whitesboro
111 New York Mills
12 Bleecker
15 James
20 Lenox
22 South St
24 Genesee - Sangertown
28 Herkimer Rd
29 Riverside 129, 229
30 Clinton
31 Oneida St 131
114 Mohawk

Oneida County - Rome

Route Number Route Name Variations
2 Walmart
4 James-Rome Hospital-Williams
5 Rome Hospital-Griffiss-Mohawk Acres
7 Griffiss-Freedom Plaza
9 Mohawk Acres-Griffiss-Rome Hospital[1]

Projects

Downtown Syracuse Transit Hub

The 'Common Center' was traditionally 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 utilized all four corners to "line up". There were many downsides to this setup, the biggest being the lack of protection from the weather. The few benches, canopies and bus shelters offered minimal protection from the elements, a less than ideal situation given the area's frigid winter temperatures. Also, passengers were often forced to cross one of the busiest intersections in Downtown twice to transfer between buses. The congestion caused by having up to 20, full-sized city buses at the corner at any given time had been blamed for the lack of development in the 300 block of South Salina St.

A site for a new Downtown Syracuse CENTRO Transit Hub was chosen in 2006, at the intersection of Adams and Salina Streets. This was the site of a Red Cross blood center. Centro purchased the site through eminent domain and tore down the standing building. Plans were approved by the Federal Transit Administration in November 2008. The design team includes Centro, QPK Design, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Robson Woese Inc., and Fisher Associates. Construction began in 2011 and the facility opened on September 4, 2012. The indoor facility offers a bus bay for every route, covered outdoor waiting, and indoor waiting. The facility also provides public restroom facilities and an information center.

Utica Common Center relocation

The traditional transfer point for Utica transit services was the 'Busy Corner', the intersection of Genesee Street, Bleecker Street and Lafayette Street. Funding was made available in 2005 for a new downtown transfer facility. The transfer point was moved one block east to a new $6.2 million facility on Charlotte Street between Bleecker and Elizabeth Streets. This portion of Charlotte Street was closed to traffic and a new center boarding platform with 10 bus bays constructed. Other amenities include a headhouse with enclosed waiting area, a Centro Information booth, bus ticket vending machines and public restrooms. A canopy was also be built over the Charlotte Street platform. Demolition work at the site began in March 2012 and construction of the new facility was completed by the end of the year. Initial plans to build a two-floor city parking garage in conjunction with the transfer center have now been shelved. The facility was named the Centro Hub and was opened for service on February 4, 2013.

Fare collection

Centro allows riders to board buses with cash, coins or transit cards. Fares vary by county. As of May 2, 2011, the basic fare structure is as follows:

Paying with cash

Paying with transit cards

Centro offers two types of transit cards:

Active bus fleet

Fleet Numbers Year Model Length Engine Destination Sign Bike Rack Assigned Divisions Comments
540 1992 Orion V 5.501 Suburban 40 Diesel LED Yes CNY Centro Retained for charter service for disabled passengers. Only diesel Orion to be rehabbed (current paint scheme, LED signs, A/C, 7 wheelchair positions).
9977 2000 Orion V 5.501 40 CNG Flip Dot Yes CNY Centro Retained for charter service for disabled passengers.
674-676, 678-681 2000 MCI 102-D3 40 Diesel LED No CNY Centro, Centro of Oswego, Centro of Cayuga 681 formerly numbered 677
2378–2382 2003 Orion V 5.503 35 CNG LED Yes CNY Centro
2400–2409 2004 New Flyer D30LF 30 Diesel LED Yes 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 Yes CNY Centro, Centro of Oswego First low-floor buses for Syracuse and Oswego areas.
2523–2541 2005 New Flyer C40LF 40 CNG LED Yes CNY Centro 2523–2533 equipped with upholstered seating for longer runs; 2534–2541 have regular transit seating.
2700–2708 2007 Gillig Advantage Hybrid 40 Hybrid LED Yes CNY Centro CNYRTA's first hybrid buses, feature an enhanced version of current paint scheme.
2720–2721 2007 Gillig Advantage 35 Diesel LED No Centro of Oneida First low-floor buses for Utica area.
2800–2802 2008 Gillig Advantage 40 Diesel LED Yes CNY Centro Equipped with upholstered seating for longer runs.
2810–2812 2008 Gillig BRT 30 Diesel LED No Centro of Oneida
682-686 2009 MCI D4000 40 Diesel LED No CNY Centro, Centro of Oswego, Centro of Cayuga First coach buses with LED destination signs.
2900–2904 2009 Gillig Advantage 40 Diesel LED Yes CNY Centro Equipped with upholstered seating for longer runs.
2905–2908 2009 Gillig Advantage 35 Diesel LED No Centro of Oneida
2945–2948 2009 IC Bus LC Series 27 Diesel LED Yes CNY Centro
1000–1017 2010 OrionVII 07.501 40 CNG LED Yes CNY Centro 1015–1017 wrapped for Connective Corridor service
1019 2010 OrionVII 07.502 35 Diesel LED No Centro of Oneida
1101-1112 2011 OrionVII 07.502 35 Diesel White LED No Centro of Oneida
1200–1255 2012 OrionVII 07.501 40 CNG White LED Yes CNY Centro These buses introduced an updated Centro paint scheme
1260-1264 2012 OrionVII 07.502 35 Diesel White LED No Centro of Oneida
1266 2012 OrionVII 07.503 30 Diesel White LED No Centro of Oneida
1267-1268 2012 OrionVII 07.501 40 Diesel LED Yes CNY Centro Former Orion demonstrator units, purchased by Centro in 2012
1269–1270 2012 OrionVII 07.501 40 CNG White LED Yes CNY Centro Former Orion demonstrator units, purchased by Centro in 2012
1271–1272 2012 OrionVII 07.501 40 CNG White LED Yes CNY Centro Built for NYCTA but not delivered, purchased by Centro in 2012

New buses

62 new buses were ordered from Orion Bus Industries for delivery in 2012. This order included 56 40-foot buses for the Syracuse operations, five 35-foot buses for the Utica operation and one 30-foot bus for the Rome operation. The Syracuse fleet is equipped with CNG engines and the Utica and Rome buses feature clean-diesel EPA 2010 compliant engines. These buses replaced older Orion buses from 1999 and 2000 that reached the end of their useful lives.

See also

References

  1. ↑ City of Rome Bus Schedule Last accessed: September 20, 2009 Archived February 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.

External links

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