Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that $4,095,000 in federal funding was awarded to Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CNYRTA) through the Department of Transportation State of Good Repair Program. CYNYRTA will replace its existing radio and data system, allowing it to restore full voice and data communications to the entire four-county system. Additionally, this funding will restore the silent alarm system, provide functional and accurate Automatic Vehicle Location, and significantly improve service delivery through the Information Technology Systems (ITS) features.
“Transit systems across the state are making strides toward state of the art, more efficient fleets, and now CNYRTA will be a leader in the region,” said Schumer. “I applaud the DOT for choosing this project and securing the best technology available to ensure that CNYRTA operates as efficiently as possible, getting commuters and residents to jobs, appointments and events in Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida and Oswego Counties.”
“This is an important investment for Central New York,” Senator Gillibrand said. “A bus fleet with updated communications technology will help connect commuters and businesses faster, increase safety on our roads, and help keep our economy on the move.”
“This federal grant will fully fund Centro’s need to replace an outdated radio communication system on its buses, and will introduce a ‘live – time’ schedule information capability for our customers,” said Frank Kobliski, Executive Director for Centro. “Once the system is in place, it will allow riders to access actual bus arrival time information for their desired trip through a SmartPhone, the Centro website, or at kiosks at selected venues such as the new Centro Hub in downtown Syracuse.”
CNYRTA provides service to an area of over 4,000 miles, which includes the counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, and Oswego. CNYTRA owns and operates 254 buses, employs 625 people, and has a daily ridership of approximately 36,000. The authority also operates a para-transit service that has over 100,000 riders a year. The authority is truly committed to providing the best transit service possible by being responsive to the needs of the community it serves.
Improving and maintaining America’s buses and bus facilities in a good physical condition so that they can successfully accomplish their performance objectives is a key strategic goal of DOT and FTA. As part of the State of Good Repair program, FTA will prioritize the replacement and rehabilitation of intermodal facilities that support the connection of bus service with multiple modes of transportation, including but not limited to: rail, ferry, intercity bus and private transportation providers. In order to be eligible for funding, intermodal facilities must have adjacent connectivity with bus service. In addition, FTA will prioritize funding for the development and implementation of new, or improvement of existing, transit asset management systems. Public transportation asset management means a strategic and systematic process of operating, maintaining, and improving physical assets with a focus on both engineering and economic analysis to identify a structured sequence of maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement actions that will achieve and sustain a desired state of good repair over the lifecycle of the assets at minimum possible cost.
A copy of Senator Schumer’s letter to Secretary LaHood appears below. Senator Gillibrand’s letter advocating for the project is attached.
April 3, 2012
The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Secretary:
I am pleased to write in support of the application submitted by the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CNYRTA) for funding under the State of Good Repair Program. Such funding will allow the CNYRTA to replace its existing radio and data system.
CNYRTA provides service to an area of over 4,000 miles, which includes the counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, and Oswego. CNYTRA owns and operates 254 buses, employs 625 people, and has a daily ridership of approximately 36,000. The authority also operates a para-transit service that has over 100,000 riders a year. The authority is truly committed to providing the best transit service possible by being responsive to the needs of the community it serves.
With funding, CNYRTA will replace its existing radio and data system, allowing it to restore full voice and data communications to the entire four county system. Additionally, this funding will restore the silent alarm system, provide functional and accurate Automatic Vehicle Location, and significantly improve service delivery through the ITS features. I applaud the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority for its foresight, and I sincerely hope that the application meets with your approval.
Thank you for your consideration. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator