Public feedback welcomed & hearing slated for 4/17/24 on a proposal to extend suspension of Rts 14S & 83

According to TCAT’s service reduction policy, the suspension of both routes 14S and 83 are considered “major” service reductions – or those that amount to 20 percent or more of a service cut – to a distinct geographical area. The policy does allow for major cuts on a “temporary” basis, but not to exceed 180 days and only if they are caused by circumstances outside the agency’s control.

As with similar agencies across the U.S., TCAT has been unable to recruit enough drivers, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, and at a time when a large number of experienced transit operators are of retirement age. Additionally, TCAT has struggled with having enough road-ready buses to fulfill service, partly due to unforeseen mechanical issues with its relatively new seven electric buses, which were brand new when TCAT purchased them from Proterra just three years ago.

When forced to reduce service, TCAT planners strive to ensure there is no disparate impact to underserved neighborhoods and to provide alternatives for impacted riders. Though not as convenient, riders previously using:

• Route 14S (West Hill shopper) are advised to use route 14 to travel downtown, and transfer to route 15 (Southside/Commons) that serves the southwest retail district, including Wegmans and Walmart. Riders can also use route 67 (Commons/Newfield) also serves southwest shopping.
• Route 83 (West and Central Cornell Campus/and residential units in the Highland Ave. area, north of campus), are advised to use routes 10 and 31, respectively.

TCAT halted both routes effective Oct. 22, 2023, as part of series of pandemic-related service adjustments TCAT has been making since March of 2020, in response to staffing and bus challenges. TCAT is continuing to address these problems by emphasizing recruitment and by implementing new maintenance procedures.

“We continue to aggressively hire and onboard operators while bringing more buses back into service to restore these routes as soon as resource levels permit,” said TCAT Acting General Manager Matthew Rosenbloom-Jones, who took over as interim GM on March 4.

Rosenbloom-Jones is highly experienced in the industry having worked in public transportation in Rochester, Maryland, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. He joined TCAT in early January as the agency’s service development manager before assuming the interim GM position to replace former GM Scot Vanderpool, who retired March 1

Also on March 4, TCAT welcomed the system’s new Human Resources Manager, Tiffany Walker, who is in the process of launching a comprehensive strategy to rebuild staff. Walker also comes to the agency with impressive credentials and a proven track record covering all key aspects of human resources, including recruitment and retention.