Central New York Regional Transportation Authority

Infobox Bus transit
name = Central New York Regional Transportation Authority
(CENTRO)

logo_size = 100


image_size =
image_caption =
company_slogan = Destination: Excellence
founded = 1970
headquarters = One Centro Center
locale = Syracuse
service_type = Bus Transit
routes = 900
fleet = 250+
ridership = Approximately 50,000
fuel_type = Diesel, CNG, Diesel-electric hybrid
president = Frank Kobliski
website = [http://www.centro.org/ Centro's website]

The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, known as 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.

About

CENTRO can be broken down into 4 separate systems.

Centro of Syracuse/Onondaga

The main service area is in the city of Syracuse and suburban Onondaga County. All routes begin in Downtown Syracuse and connect with the rest of Onondaga County. Routes also connect downtown Syracuse with Auburn, New York, and Oswego, New York . Centro of Syracuse also operate Syracuse University shuttle routes and school routes for city middle and high school students. These routes are open to the public and free to students.

Centro of Oswego

Routes are based in the City of Oswego, New York. Routes extend throughout the city and neighboring communities of Fulton and Mexico. Routes also connect Oswego with Syracuse. Centro also provides free bus service on the SUNY Oswego campus.

Centro of Cayuga

Routes are based in the City of Auburn, New York. Centro of Cayuga provides service connecting Auburn and outlying rural communities with Downtown Syracuse.

Centro of Oneida

Centro of Oneida began operation on April 1, 2005 with the acquisition of the bankrupt Utica Transit Authority based in Utica, New York. On October 1, 2005 Centro of Oneida assumed the operations of the VIP bus system in Rome, New York.

This merger of services has allowed for improved transit for citizens of Oneida. Buses now offer digital destination signs, air conditioning, and all buses are wheelchair accessible. Also Utica, New York and Rome, New York can, for the first time, be connected by public transit.

However, Oneida County routes do not connect directly to those in Onondaga, Cayuga, and Oswego Counties because Birnie Bus Service owns the rights to operate between Syracuse and Utica.

Fare Collection

Paying With Cash

Centro allows riders to board buses with cash, coins, or transit cards.

The cash fare is $1.00, with free transfers to complete one way trips. Extension fares of $.25 must be paid for extra zones crossed.

Paying With Transit Cards

Centro has three types of transit cards. The 7 Day($10) and 30 Day($40) Unlimited Ride passes are good for any amount of rides taken in the allotted amount of days. The Debit Card can be purchased for $10 dollars and the correct fare is deducted upon each use.

Accomplishments

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.

Fleet

* Orion Bus Industries Orion V diesel
* Orion Bus Industries Orion V CNG
* MCI MCI 102D3 diesel
* NovaBus RTS CNG
* New Flyer D30LF diesel
* New Flyer D40LF diesel
* New Flyer C40LF CNG
* Gillig Low-Floor hybrid
* Gillig Low-Floor diesel
* Ford/ElDorado minibus

References

http://www.centro.org/news/news%20release.htm

External links

* [http://www.centro.org/ CENTRO's website]