Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $800,000 for the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) to create an indoor transit facility that links the University of Rochester, the city’s largest employer, to downtown and the rest of the community. The funds will be used as part of the University of Rochester’s proposed College Town Project to foster a greater ease in travel from the city of Rochester to the University.
“This investment will help bring Rochester’s largest engine of economic growth together with downtown and areas throughout Rochester,” said Schumer. “The RGRTA plays a key role in helping students, faculty, and staff get where they need to go, and I’m thrilled that the federal government is stepping up to make our public transit system even stronger.”
“With bus ridership at a 20 year high, this is an important investment for the Greater Rochester Area,” Senator Gillibrand said. “It is critical to have a efficient facility that links our number one employer with the rest of the community. These federal dollars will help develop infrastructure and improve bus transportation for the University of Rochester and its staff and students.”
“RGRTA is pleased to learn about the grant earmarked for College Town.” said Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority Chief Executive Officer Bill Carpenter. “As the areas largest employer and our second largest demand generator for service, we are pleased to partner with the U of R on a project that will improve the service to those who work and receive care at the medical center.”
The federal funding allocated by the Department of Transportation will be used to develop a satellite transit center near the intersection of Mt. Hope and Elmwood Avenues in Rochester. The transportation hub will provide a climate controlled indoor facility for local residents to catch and transfer buses. The University of Rochester is home to more than 5,000 undergraduate students, 3,000 graduate students, and 20,000 faculty and staff. RGRTA utilizes a 413 bus fleet, providing ridership for 17.7 million people annually in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wayne, Wyoming and Seneca counties.