FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

TCAT, Inc (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc.) is a not-for-profit corporation that provides public transportation throughout Ithaca and Tompkins County. In 2022, TCAT provided nearly 2.5 million rides, covering a distance of nearly 1.5 million miles. Our fleet consists of  55 clean diesel and battery-electric buses. TCAT also contracts with Gadabout Transportation to provide ADA Complementary Paratransit service.

TCAT’s administrative offices are located at 737 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850. The customer service desk is located in the main lobby and a representative is available in person or over the phone from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at (607) 277-7433 (RIDE). Email tcat@tcatmail.com.

When does TCAT make service changes?

TCAT generally makes service changes and publishes new schedules three times per year. Spring service runs from mid-January until late May, summer service operates from late-May until late-August, and fall service is in effect from late-August until mid-January. Check our schedules page for up-to-date announcements and information.

Planners, shown left, spend several hours adjusting routes based on available resources, to include the number of bus operators who will be available to fulfill service.

How can I find out if my bus will be delayed?

As soon as information becomes available. TCAT’s customer service representatives or dispatchers make every effort to alert the public. TCAT advises riders to consult TCAT’s Bus Tracking WebsitesAvailtec or Swiftly – to check the status of their routes. The Bus Tracker also includes passenger alerts, which are also streamed on the red banner across TCAT’s home page. Riders are also encouraged to download real-time information apps, such as the Transit App or MyStop. See TCAT’s app page for a list of apps available.

Occasionally, TCAT buses need to go on detour due to construction or road closures, often leading to confusion about bus delays. Notices about detours can also be found on the above listed websites and mobile applications.

TCAT also conveys information via Twitter (TCATRides). Furthermore, as soon as information becomes available, phone messages are recorded at (607) 277-7433.

As a general note, given that TCAT operates 25-plus routes, it is often difficult to convey specific route delays in a timely manner. As a rule of thumb, TCAT asks passengers to dress for the weather and to be at their bus stops on time.

Transfers - What happens if more than one route is needed to complete a trip?

Upon request, bus operators will provide you with a maximum of two transfer slips at no additional cost if more than one bus route is needed to get to your destination. Transfers are good for a continuous one-way trip on the day of issue and will only be honored on the next available bus. They will not be accepted on any trip that will return the passenger to the area in which the transfer was originally issued, nor to re-board the same route. Day or semester pass holders do not need a transfer slip, simply swipe your card again.

 

I lost something on the bus. How do I get it back?

People leave personal property on TCAT buses everyday. We love to reunite people with their lost items! If you’ve left something on one of our buses we want to help you.
If you have lost something valuable that you urgently need, such as a wallet, purse, or bicycle, please call us right away at (607) 277-7433 and it may be possible for you to arrange to meet that bus in the opposite direction to retrieve your items. The sooner you call, the more likely we will be able to track down the bus with your missing items. We will need to know the bus route, bus number (if possible), and what time you rode the bus. Email is the best way to reach us when the office is closed (tcat@tcatmail.com).

We also need a thorough description of your lost property. All lost items are normally turned in to the front office when the bus returns to the depot which is usually on the following day. On occasion, items do get turned in on the same day they were lost.

All Lost & Found Items can be reclaimed at the TCAT main office.

TCAT Main Office
737 Willow Avenue
(opposite the city golf course)
Ithaca, NY 14850

Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Contact:
(607) 277-RIDE (7433)
tcat@tcatmail.com

Please bring photo I.D. with you (if it is not among your lost items)

PLEASE NOTE: We only keep lost property items for 30 days. After that time, items are donated.
TCAT is not responsible for lost or stolen items, but will make every effort to return them to their rightful owners.

I tried to catch the bus as it was pulling away from the curb, but the operator wouldn’t stop for me. Why?

As soon as the bus is in motion, TCAT bus operators are prohibited from stopping for safety reasons. The bus operator’s attention is focused on merging into traffic and any distraction could pose a safety hazard.

Why do I have to stuff my belongings away from aisles/fold my baby stroller and/or grocery cart?

If a bus operator has to stop quickly, your item can turn into a projectile and injure someone. Furthermore, the aisles need to be kept clear so passengers can walk safely without the risk of tripping.

Does TCAT operate on holidays?

TCAT operates 359 days a year. Service does not operate on January 1, Memorial Day (May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving Day (November), and Christmas Day (Dec. 25).

Can I bring pets on the bus?

Animals are allowed on the bus in an enclosed pet carrier. Service animals are allowed and must be under complete control of the owner. Dogs that serve as comfort or therapy dogs would not be accepted on the bus unless in an enclosed animal carrier.

What is a service animal?

Service animals are animals that have been trained to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities. Passengers with disabilities may ride with their trained service animal. The operator may ask if the animal is a service animal and what tasks the animal has been trained to perform.

The service animal must be under the control of the owner at all times. If the animal is not under the control of the owner or if the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, the operator may require the animal to leave the bus.

All TCAT buses are equipped with a wheelchair lift or ramp, which the driver will deploy upon request. If you are still unable to access the bus system, you may be eligible for ADA complementary paratransit.

Why shouldn’t I cross in front of a stopped bus after I get off?

For safety reasons. If you wait until the bus departs the stop before crossing you will be able to see traffic in both directions and motorists will be able to see you.

I don’t have bus service in my neighborhood. How does TCAT determine where to operate its routes?

TCAT creates its routes based on based on travel patterns and magnitude of demand. In January 2010, TCAT implemented a new route system based on two years of expert consultation, field work and public outreach that netted 600 suggestions. With limited resources, TCAT strives to offer service that provides the most coverage to the majority of the community. TCAT is always willing to consider requests for service.

Are there neighboring transit systems that can provide transportation in and out of Tompkins County?

Three out-of-county transit systems provide service into Tompkins County – C TRAN (Chemung County), Cortland Transit, and Schuyler County Transit.

C TRAN

C Tran’s route 30 connects downtown Ithaca, Cornell University, and East Hill Plaza to various Chemung County communities, including but not limited to Elmira, Horseheads, and Spencer. Connections can be made to most TCAT routes in downtown Ithaca and Cornell University. This commuter service is provided during weekday rush hours.

Contact information for C TRAN.

Cortland Transit

Cortland Transit operates two services into Tompkins County, the routes 6 and 7. The route 6 connects Cortland with TC3 and Dryden, while the route 7 continues past Dryden to Cornell University and East Hill Plaza. Connections can be made in Dryden with the TCAT 43 and with most TCAT routes in Cornell University. The route 6 operates throughout the day on weekdays, while the route 7 operates during weekday rush hours.

Contact information for Cortland Transit.

Schuyler County Transit

Schuyler County Transit’s route 6 travels directly to and from (and points in between) Schuyler Hospital and Cayuga Medical Center.

Route 6 riders connecting to and from TCAT routes 14 and 20 (ONLY) do not need to pay a second fare so long as they request and obtain a transfer slip from the bus operator on the originating trip.

  • Connecting from the Schuyler Co. Route 6 at the Enfield Park and Ride onto a TCAT inbound route 20 serving Cornell and downtown Ithaca: The rider needs to request a transfer slip from the Schuyler Co. route 6 driver to present to the TCAT Route 20 bus driver.
  • Connecting from the TCAT outbound Route 20 at the Enfield Park and Ride onto the Schuyler County-bound Route 6: Upon boarding the route 20 heading outbound to Enfield, the rider must pay the regular TCAT fare ($1.50 for single adult ride/ .75 for seniors 60 and older and persons with disabilities). The rider needs to request a transfer slip from the TCAT driver to present to the Schuyler County-bound route 6 driver.
  • Connecting from the Schuyler Co. Route 6 at Cayuga Medical Center to the TCAT route 14 bus serving West Hill and downtown Ithaca. Again, riders do not need to pay a second fare on the route 14, but must request and obtain a transfer slip from the route 6 driver to show the TCAT route 14 driver at Cayuga Medical Center.
  • Connecting from the TCAT outbound route 14 to travel to Cayuga Medical Center to pick up the Schuyler County-bound Route 6: riders must pay regular TCAT fare to travel to Cayuga Medical Center where they can pick up Schuyler County-bound route 6.To avoid paying a second fare, they need to ask the route 20 TCAT driver for a transfer slip to show the Schuyler County-bound route 6 driver.

Contact information for Schuyler County Transit.

I went out on Sunday night and needed to catch a bus home at 1:00 AM on Monday morning. According to the trip planner, the route 90 should have been running but it never showed up. Was the trip planner incorrect?

Transit schedules often show a schedule for a “Service Day” rather than a calendar day. By “service day,” we mean that TCAT’s transit system starts up around 4:00 AM in the morning, continues throughout the day, and has its final trips around 2:30 AM the following day. This would mean that a Monday schedule actually encompasses the time period from 4:00 AM Monday morning until 2:30 AM Tuesday morning. Although trips that occur after midnight are technically on the next calendar day, they are still considered part of the previous day’s service schedule, especially since one individual bus trip might start at 11:30 PM Monday and finish at 12:30 AM Tuesday, having spanned the date change.

This may be where the confusion sets in. When you see on the schedule that there is a Route 90 leaving the Commons at 1:00 AM on “Mondays” (and every weekday), this means that the bus actually serves the stop at 1:00 AM, on the calendar days Tues-Sat. As there is no Route 90 service on the Sunday schedule, this means that there is also no service in the early morning hours of Monday.

It is difficult to display this information in a consistent fashion so that it is easily comprehendible to passengers. Eventually we hope to change over to Google transit which is equipped to handle and display this information.

I am interested in advertising on your buses. How much does it cost?

Advertising on TCAT buses, both inside and out, offers great visibility for your organization. All of the advertising on our buses is now handled by Cayuga Radio Group. Please visit coolbusads.com for more information.

Why doesn’t TCAT use smaller buses? Wouldn’t they be cheaper?

Smaller buses can only be used on certain routes that have lower ridership due to their smaller capacity. As such, they are not cheaper to operate as the cost of labor, maintenance remains the same, regardless of bus size. Although fuel efficiency is slightly better, but the difference is negligible. Furthermore, the Federal Transit Administration doesn’t allow TCAT to have two separate sized fleets, so we size ours to meet rush hour demand.

How can I get more involved with TCAT?

TCAT’s Rider’s Advisory and Accessibility Committee is comprised of riders and members of the TCAT team and meets once a month to discuss current issues, future projects, and how TCAT can improve service for older riders and riders with disabilities. If you are interested in joining, please contact Patty Poist at 607-277-9388 x 560 or by email at pp1@tcatmail.com

Can we rent or charter a TCAT bus for a wedding, school trip or any other event?

We would love to help, but TCAT is prohibited from offering Charter Bus Service under the FTA Regulation 49 CFR Part 604. For more information regarding the rules and regulations, refer to the FTA website.

 

On your new buses, windows are locked. Why and what should I do if the air conditioning system breaks down?

This feature is now an industry standard. This so called “fixed” design will not enable passengers to open windows. Fixed windows mitigate costly repairs to the streamlined heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system in TCAT’s newer buses. If a window was opened on a warm day, it could overwhelm the HVAC system and pose discomfort for everyone on the bus. Any buses with HVAC issues are considered “out-of-service”, meaning the bus would be pulled off the road until the system is fixed so that riders would not be subjected to excessive heat or cold. In the event that a window needs to be opened due to an on-route breakdown, all of our buses are equipped with several emergency windows that will open, allowing for ventilation.

Why do I see empty buses? Looks like a waste of money to me.

That empty bus you saw was likely on its way to becoming filled with passengers as the route progressed. In some cases, that empty bus is returning to the garage after a full and busy day in service. Most passengers do not ride the entire route, so buses tend to be fuller in the middle of the route and emptier at each end.