Miguel Velazquez has been appointed new CEO of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) and will assume the duties on Jan. 1.
Miguel Velazquez (provided photo)
Velazquez currently is deputy chief executive officer for the public benefit corporation, which provides transportation services across the eight-county area.
He takes over from Bill Carpenter, who in November announced that he would retire by the end of June.
Velazquez has been with RTS since 1999 in a variety of roles. He oversaw transformation of information systems as well as the $50 million RTS Transit Center in downtown Rochester and the Reimagine RTS initiative.
“During his 23 years he has demonstrated his ability to lead by successfully overseeing a number of significant projects such as the Transit Center and Reimagine RTS,” Don Jeffries, chair of the RTS board of commissioners, said on Thursday afternoon in making the announcement at the monthly board meeting.
“Given Miguel’s experience and record of success, it quickly became clear to this board that he is the best person to lead the RTS into the future.”
Velazquez joined RTS as a member of the information technology team and worked his way up to chief information officers, chief operating officer and then deputy CEO.
“The future of RTS and public transit is bright,” he said in a news release. “My goal as CEO will be to build on the great work we have done under the leadership of our current CEO Bill Carpenter.
“We will do that by growing the transit system through strategic partnerships that help address some of the most pressing community needs while excelling in quality, equitable, sustainable, and innovative service. I look forward to this exciting opportunity and am ready to get to work.”
On Thursday, Sept. 23, Causewave Community Partners will unveil a new campaign to promote the use of carbon-free electricity to power the region’s buildings and vehicles.
AMPED, an initiative that was developed by a number of community partners including Climate Solutions Accelerator, Greater Rochester Clean Cities, New York State Pollution Prevention Institute, the city of Rochester and several others, will launch Thursday with a program at Imaginarium at I-Square in Irondequoit.
Event speakers include:
• Todd Butler, president and CEO, Causewave Community Partners
• Abby McHugh-Grifa, executive director, Climate Solutions Accelerator
• David Keefe, coordinator, Greater Rochester Clean Cities
• Tamara Mayberry, director of intergovernmental affairs, Empire State Development
• Scott Ensign, VP client solutions, Butler/Till
• Donna VonDerLinn, creative director, Butler/Till
• David Belaskas, director of engineering and facilities management, Regional Transit Service
• Michael Waller, director of sustainability, Rochester Regional Health
• Adrienne Pettinelli, director, Henrietta Public Library
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA)’s proposal for preliminary design and environmental review of an electric charging depot has been included in legislation passed by the House of Representatives.
The $800,000 project was submitted as part of this year’s Surface Transportation Member Designated Projects and would help RGRTA, also known as Regional Transit Service (RTS), expand its electric bus fleet by up to 800 percent, officials said Wednesday.
“Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing our nation and in order to combat its devastating effects, we need to make real investments in sustainable infrastructure,” said U.S. Rep. Joseph Morelle. “This exciting project will build upon the steps RTS has already taken to invest in clean energy, reduce our carbon footprint and help Rochester lead the charge in environmentally-friendly public transportation. I am proud to have helped pass this in the House of Representatives and look forward to working with my partners in the Senate to make it a reality.”
RTS now has 10 electric buses in its fleet with another 10 scheduled to arrive in 2022. In order to further expand the number of electric buses, RTS needs a significant investment in upgrading its campus infrastructure. The estimated total cost of the charging depot for electric buses is $60.7 million. The $800,000 will get the project started by funding the preliminary design and environmental review. When complete, the new charging depot will allow RTS to simultaneously charge up to 80 vehicles.
Bill Carpenter
“I thank Congressman Morelle for including this funding in the INVEST in America Act and bringing us one step closer to building a new charging depot for electric buses,” said RTS CEO Bill Carpenter. “The only way we can meet Gov. Cuomo’s goal of having a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 is to have this new charging depot built and in use by 2025. By transitioning our fleet to zero-emission vehicles we are embracing the future of public transit, improving the environment, reducing costs for taxpayers and making sure we can provide safe and sustainable mobility for our customers for many years to come.”
Officials noted that by replacing older diesel-powered vehicles with electric buses, we invest in zero-emission transportation that will have a profound effect on combatting the effects of climate change. For example, replacing one diesel bus with one electric bus reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) by 90.5 metric tons per year. This means the replacement of 10 diesel buses with 10 electric buses will reduce GHG by 905 metric tons, which is the same as taking 197 personal vehicles off the road.
“Given the urgency of reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, RTS and Congressman Morelle should be commended for their commitment to accelerating our region’s transition to electric buses,” said Abigail McHugh-Grifa, executive director of Climate Solutions Accelerator. “This is the kind of leadership our community needs to mitigate the threat of climate change and improve quality of life for local residents. Diesel fumes are dirty and dangerous, so we can all breathe a little easier knowing that cleaner, safer transportation options are headed our way.”
New York state lawmakers and the Regional Transit Service (RTS) on Friday called for increased funding for public transit in the state budget, citing the role of transit in the recovery and growth of the economy. State Sens. Samra Brouk and Jeremy Cooney, and Assembly members Harry Bronson, Sarah Clark, Jennifer Lunsford and Demond Meeks joined RTS CEO Bill Carpenter for the press conference.
All of New York’s transit systems, including RTS, are asking for their funding to be increased by 10 percent above the level included in the 2020-21 enacted budget. This is consistent with the request from the transit systems for a 50 percent increase in funding over 5 years.
“Investment in transit is good for community growth and driving many from poverty to prosperity,” said Assemblyman Bronson, D-Rochester. “Investment in transit delivers more connections to jobs, health care, education; more reliable service; and creates and retains thousands of jobs in the state’s transit manufacturing and supply industry. For transit to be successful in meeting the state’s goals, greater investment in both service and infrastructure are essential.”
When COVID-19 emerged in the Rochester region, many businesses and organizations closed or transitioned to working from home, but throughout the pandemic, the public transit system kept running, officials noted. RTS responded immediately to the crisis, transporting essential workers, among other things.
“Public transportation provides a lifeline to access jobs, food and health care, and plays a key role in helping our community reopen, recover and grow,” Carpenter said. “Robust transit service will drive growth in jobs and the economy, address climate change, improve social equity, and move people from poverty to prosperity. That is why we need more funding. On behalf of the RTS team and our customers, I thank Gov. Cuomo and our representatives in the state Legislature for their support, and for their efforts to accelerate investment in transit.”
In addition to state operating assistance for transit being reduced over the past year, RTS saw significant losses of ridership and revenue. At the same time, RTS’ budget absorbed the increased costs of protective equipment for employees and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of vehicles and facilities to help keep people safe.
“The Regional Transit Service provides a service for so many in our community that is critical to their day-to-day lives,” said Assemblywoman Clark, D-Rochester. “Throughout the pandemic, at a time where other transit systems across the state cut back services and raised costs, RTS displayed incredible leadership and remained committed to providing essential services throughout the Greater Rochester region, while also maintaining the safety of riders and transit personnel alike. RTS stepped up to meet these challenging times, now the state must step up and provide them with the resources they need. State operating assistance must be restored and increased to reflect the growing needs of RTS. Now is the time for the state to demonstrate its commitment to public transit services and invest in an equitable recovery for all.”
Regional Transit Service is a regional transit authority established by New York state with more than 900 employees who serve customers and business partners in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties.
Upstate New York airports and transit systems will share more than $480 million in the newest COVID relief package, including several in the Rochester and Finger Lakes regions.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said this week that Upstate airports will receive more than $84 million, while transit systems will receive nearly $396 million to help transportation systems keep their wheels turning while the state recovers from the pandemic.
“Air travel and public transportation are among the most severely impacted industries amid the pandemic, and both are vital to the connectivity and success of the upstate economy,” Schumer said in a statement. “Airports and transit systems serve important functions in their communities, especially in more rural areas, connecting communities and residents and allowing for economic opportunities to cruise in. As majority leader, I was proud to make transportation funding a priority and the American Rescue Plan will deliver this much-needed aid to keep upstate residents connected. Help is on the way that will put Upstate New York’s transportation on the road to recovery.”
In the Rochester area, the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport will receive roughly $12 million, while Finger Lakes Regional Airport, Dansville Municipal Airport, Genesee County Airport and Canandaigua Airport will receive $32,000 each.
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority will receive $45.4 million in funding.
Schumer noted that the total funding will be allocated by the Department of Transportation and includes $12.5 million for the state DOT Rural 5311 program, which aims to support public transportation in areas with populations of fewer than 50,000 people. The funds may be used for capital and operating assistance grants to local public bodies, tribes and operators of intercity bus services in rural areas.
Rochester’s Regional Transit Service will launch its long-awaited Reimagine RTS transit system design on May 17. The plan originally was scheduled to be implemented on June 29 last year but was postponed due to COVID-19.
Bill Carpenter
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic delayed Reimagine RTS, we have been adjusting our plans and working to find the right time to launch the new system. I am pleased to announce that our customers will get to experience their new transit system on May 17, 2021,” RTS CEO Bill Carpenter said in a statement. “The design of the reimagined transit system was based on the hard work of the RTS team and the input of more than 12,000 people through surveys and more than 200 meetings and events throughout the community. The new system will be more frequent, reliable and connected and we are excited to bring it to life for our customers.”
Carpenter and his team first announced plans to redesign Rochester’s transit system in September 2017. At the time, the public transit system in Monroe County had remained the same for decades, designed when downtown Rochester was the center of the community.
In June 2019, the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority board of commissioners unanimously voted in favor of the final plan for the Reimagine RTS transit system redesign, as well as the June 2020 rollout.
Details of the reimagined transit system are included in the Reimagine RTS Final Recommendation Report, available online. The new system includes seven Community Mobility Zones, or CMZ, as well as a new on-demand service and improved frequencies and routes.
The new transit system will have 10 routes with a frequency of every 15 minutes, while 20 routes will have buses available every 30 minutes.
“I thank the team at RTS for their continued work on this project and I thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we have worked together to navigate the pandemic,” Carpenter said.
New York state will offer a series of initiatives to increase the number of electric buses statewide as part of its efforts to mitigate climate change and boost access to clean transportation in underserved communities. The effort includes more than $16 million in incentives for the expansion of electric bus usage among public transportation authorities and $2.5 million for school bus operators to purchase cleaner forms of transportation.
“Electrifying transit and school buses at scale is an important step in our fight against climate change and is essential in helping us reach our ambitious goals to create a greener New York state,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement last week. “Through these initiatives, bus operators will now have the support and resources they need to modernize their fleets, reduce emissions and ensure underserved communities have cleaner public transit options as we work to further reduce our carbon footprint.”
Under the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program, $16.4 million in Volkswagen settlement funding will be made available to five of the largest public transit operators in the state, including the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, to facilitate their fleets’ transition towards 100 percent zero-emission fleets by 2035, a goal Cuomo announced in his 2020 State of the State Address.
Through the program, purchasers of new, zero-emissions all-electric transit buses are eligible to have 100 percent of the incremental vehicle cost covered on the condition that the buses are housed at bus depots or operate on routes located within a half-mile of a disadvantaged community.
The funding builds on the NYTVIP expansion announced early last year. Combined, the five transit operators run more than 1,300 buses.
To provide further support, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) have reached an agreement that includes more than $1 million in funding for a new program to help the five upstate and suburban transit operators develop plans to convert to all-electric transit buses.
“By working with regional transit and school bus fleet operators we are removing dirty, polluting vehicles from our roadways and helping communities eliminate the health and environmental risks from carbon emissions,” said Doreen Harris, acting president and CEO of NYSERDA and Climate Action Council co-chair. “Investing in all-electric buses and offering transit authorities technical assistance shows the serious commitment that we are making under Gov. Cuomo’s plan to provide access to clean transportation options for all New Yorkers.”
Another $2.5 million also is available through the NYTVIP to school bus operators statewide to support the purchase of cleaner, less polluting buses. Funding will help cover up to 100 percent of incremental costs for all-electric school buses operating near a disadvantaged community. The program reduces the cost to purchase new, clean electric or alternative-fueled buses through point of sale rebates offered through a qualified vendor.
On Dec. 23, the state Office of General Services issued a Request for Information seeking details from manufacturers and dealers about electric and hybrid transit buses currently available in the marketplace. Responses to the RFI, which are due by Jan. 21, will be used to develop a solicitation for electric and hybrid buses with the goal of providing transit authorities with options for purchasing green vehicles for their fleets.
“One of the most impactful strategies to help bridge New York’s nation-leading greenhouse gas emissions goals is through strategic investments in high-quality, high-frequency public transportation services,” said state Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “Electrification of public transportation fleets will build upon the more than 17 million metric tons annually of greenhouse gas emissions that these systems help to avoid.”
The Community Transportation Association of America has honored Rochester’s Regional Transit Service with the Heroes in Motion award for its work during the COVID-19 crisis.
“We are proud to honor RTS with our premier Heroes in Motion award for their outstanding transit service and innovation during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Thank you to Bill Carpenter and everyone at RTS for your unwavering devotion and ensuring your community was well taken care of during the most challenging of times,” said Loreal Lance, CTAA membership and business development director.
RGRTA Commissioner Bill McDonald offers his virtual congratulations to RTS CEO Bill Carpenter. (provided)
Heroes in Motion is a new award from CTAA. The organization asked board members and staff to reflect on transit agencies that have been working above and beyond their typical scope of services during the pandemic, agencies that displayed exemplary efforts in their innovation and dedication to their communities. Bill McDonald, who serves on the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority and CTAA boards, nominated RTS for the award.
“On behalf of the entire RTS team, I thank CTAA and RGRTA Commissioner Bill McDonald for honoring us with the Heroes in Motion award,” RTS CEO Bill Carpenter said. “From the moment COVID-19 emerged in our region, the RTS team took immediate action to help keep employees and customers safe while ensuring the continued availability of safe and sustainable mobility for our customers. The employees of RTS are performing heroically, are deserving of this award and I thank them for the great work they do each day.”
RTS has more than 900 employees who serve customers and business partners in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties.
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority has added the first 10 electric buses to its Regional Transit Service fleet, part of an ongoing effort to reduce carbon emissions produced by traditional diesel-fuel buses.
As announced in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address earlier this year, RTS and four other transit agencies have committed to having a 25 percent electric bus fleet by 2025 and a totally electric fleet by 2035. Wednesday’s announcement puts RTS on pace to exceed that goal.
“The future of public transit technology has arrived in the Finger Lakes region and I am grateful to be working with such a talented team of employees, supporters and partners to put RGRTA on the leading edge of this effort,” said RGRTA CEO Bill Carpenter. “This project is a true win for taxpayers and the community. By adding electric buses, we are embracing the future of transit, reducing costs for taxpayers, improving the environment and making sure we can continue providing safe, reliable mobility for our customers. I thank Gov. Cuomo and everyone involved in the project for making it possible. Because of the work we have done and what we learned over the past three years, we are well-positioned to meet Gov. Cuomo’s goals for 2025 and 2035.”
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez (at podium) joins RTS CEO Bill Carpenter in announcing 10 electric buses serving the Finger Lakes region. (provided)
In April 2017, Cuomo announced funding for RTS to acquire its first electric buses and associated charging equipment. RTS expects to have 20 electric buses and charging infrastructure in place by the end of 2021 and estimates its fleet will be 35 percent electric by 2025, exceeding the governor’s goals and on pace to have a fully electric fleet by 2035.
“Regional Transit Service recognizes the need for cleaner power sources and, like NYPA, is a leader in the change-over to zero-emission transportation,” said New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil Quiniones. “Replacing diesel-powered buses is a key step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The New York Power Authority is pleased to support this electric bus initiative that will help address air pollution in urban communities that can be exposed to a disproportionate share of emissions.”
The total cost of the 10 buses and associated charging infrastructure was roughly $12 million, which includes $7 million administered by the state Department of Transportation; $2.3 million of the $127.7 million in Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement funds, administered by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and implemented by NYSERDA and NYPA; $1.7 million provided by RGRTA; and $1 million from the Federal Transit Administration.
“Today’s announcement underscores New York’s commitment to developing innovative approaches that advance and align our state’s progressive transportation and environmental agendas. This impressive new fleet is reflective of a broader goal: investing in sustainable, high-quality transportation networks and a greener, more environmentally-just New York,” said Senate Transportation Chairman Tim Kennedy.
The addition of the first ten electric buses to the RTS fleet is expected to reduce greenhouse emissions by 905 metric tons per year. RTS also expects to save costs on fuel and maintenance each year, with a total cost of ownership savings of $187,000 per bus compared with traditional diesel buses.
“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York State continues to make smart, sustainable investments in our transportation systems that will result in a reduced carbon footprint across the Empire State benefiting generations to come,” said state Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “DOT is excited to lead the way in addressing our changing climate and supporting the electrification of public transit systems here in Rochester and across the state.”
Six of the 10 battery-powered electric buses are in service across the Finger Lakes region. RTS expects the remaining four buses will be in service this November. RTS serves more than 1.1 million New Yorkers in eight counties of the Finger Lakes Region.
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority is slated to receive $9.2 million in federal funding to help ensure the organization can continue offering essential public transportation during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Our dedicated regional transit workers have played an integral role in making sure our community continues to run smoothly during an otherwise tumultuous period,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle, D-Irondequoit, in a statement. “I’m proud to have helped pass the CARES Act, and prouder still to see these funds go directly to Rochester. Ensuring RGRTA has the means to continue to aid this public health emergency will ease the burden on families and essential workers across our region, and help our community continue to heal.”
The funding was allocated by the Federal Transit Administration through the CARES Act and also will encourage revitalization projects and support fixed-route, paratransit and route deviation services.
“This CARES Act funding will ensure that RGRTA can continue providing crucial public transportation services for riders who are relying on safe and sanitary transit during the pandemic,” said U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. “This federal funding will offset the devastating financial impacts of COVID-19 on transit operations throughout the region and allow Rochester area counties to keep the RGRTA system clean, safe, timely and efficient for riders.”
Foodlink Inc., the city of Rochester and the Rochester City School District are taking a new and innovative approach to ensure that children in the community have access to nutritious meals this summer.
As the COVID-19 public health crisis continues to limit food access and has shuttered traditional summer programs, the Summer Meals Partnership of Rochester, grab-and-go meal options will be provided and parents will be allowed to pick up meals without the children being present – which has been a requirement in previous years. The partnership also is introducing more “mobile meals” options for children due to the cancellations of summer classes and reduced enrollment for summer programming and camps.
The three organizations collaborate with community partners such as Common Ground Health and the Rochester Area Community Foundation to organize and promote Summer Meals each year. The Foodlink Community Kitchen and the Rochester City School District prepare and deliver meals to dozens of sites across the city.
To help increase healthy food access in Rochester, the partnership will be collaborating with Regional Transit Service (RTS) to deliver meals to select neighborhoods that do not have an established Summer Meals site, such as an R Center, school or church. This new model, similar to an ice cream truck, will circle select neighborhoods and provide free meals all summer long.
“RTS has a long history of partnering with organizations in the Rochester region to connect people to important destinations and services,” RTS CEO Bill Carpenter said. “The Summer Meals partnership has always done a great job providing healthy meals to children each summer. During this COVID-19 pandemic, the team at RTS is happy to be a part of such an important program and looks forward to working with the partnership to find new ways to reach more children in the community.”
The city of Rochester and Foodlink also will increase the mobile meals program, which sends vans with meals to locations such as libraries and parks, where families often gather during the warmer months.
Last year’s Summer Meals program served nearly 250,000 meals, with an average daily participation rate of more than 3,920 children.
Regional Transit Service plans to launch its new RTS Go contactless fare payment system in Monroe County on July 15, and will reinstate the collection of fares across the eight-county region it serves at that time.
“While the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic spurred changes to ensure the safety of our employees and customers, what didn’t change is the role of public transit as a critical component of our infrastructure that connects people to jobs and essential destinations in our community,” RTS CEO Bill Carpenter said. “With phase three of the New York Forward reopening process underway, it is the right time to reinstate the collection of fares and implement our new fare payment system. The new system — RTS Go — offers new ways to manage and pay fares, and provides a new layer of safety on the bus for employees and customers through contactless fare payment.”
The RTS Go fare payment system is included in the Transit app, which is RTS’ new real-time trip planning app. The Transit app is available for download now, although the features of RTS Go will not be available until July 15. Additional changes going into effect that day include reinstating the boarding of the bus from the front door, fare media changes and the implementation of all-day reduced fares for seniors aged 65 and older, persons with disabilities and children ages 6-11.
RTS Go will offer contactless fare payment, adding a layer of safety on the bus for employees and customers as the organization supports the reopening of the community and the continued fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. The contactless fare payment feature of RTS Go means that customers will tap their mobile phone or smartcard on the onboard validation unit when boarding the bus.
Another key benefit of RTS Go is fare capping, which means customers who use RTS Go will pay $1 per ride, but never more than $3 a day, or $56 a month, no matter how much they ride. The technology behind the system, which is delivered by Fare Payments-as-a-Service provider Masabi, will know when a customer has reached those limits and stop charging them for the rest of that day or month.
Customers who do not have a smartphone will be able to purchase an RTS Go reloadable smartcard from ticket vending machines at the RTS Transit Center or online at myRTS.com. Customers will be encouraged to register their accounts with customer service or on myRTS.com to help protect the money they put on their account in case their RTS Go cards are lost or stolen.
RTS will start collecting fares again for all RTS operations and implement a new policy for getting on and off 40- and 60- foot buses in Monroe County. Under the new policy, customers will board the bus from the front door and exit the bus from the rear door. Customers with mobility limitations will be able to exit the bus from the front door.
To keep employees and customers safe during the pandemic and promote the use of transit for essential trips, RTS switched to dial-a-ride service only in Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties. Beginning July 15, the agency will resume regular service for RTS Genesee, RTS Orleans and RTS Wyoming. Plans are being developed to resume regular service for RTS Livingston, RTS Ontario, RTS Seneca and RTS Wayne.
To ensure the continued safety of employees and customers, officials said RTS will continue its enhanced cleaning program for buses and facilities. RTS is providing employees with the personal protective equipment they need to safely carry out their duties and will help customers comply with face mask/covering requirements by providing masks at the RTS Transit Center, on RTS Access buses and buses in the regional counties it serves.
“We thank our customers for their support and encourage them to help us win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by wearing a face mask or face-covering in public, and practicing social distancing on the bus, at the RTS Transit Center and RTS bus stops,” added Carpenter.
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority is slated to receive $36.3 million in federal funding allocated by the Federal Transit Administration as part of the CARES Act.
“As upstate communities like the Rochester Finger Lakes region battle the coronavirus pandemic, it’s imperative that they get all the federal tools they need to respond and recover,” said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer in a statement this week. “This federal funding will offset the devastating financial impacts of COVID-19 on transit operations throughout the region and allow the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority to recover — and help stave off pressure for fare hikes.”
In mid-March, just ahead of the state’s PAUSE, RGRTA waived all bus fares and enacted a new procedure for entering and exiting buses. The waiving of fares was meant to make critical travel to work or grocery stores easier, while also limiting the time spent at the closest point of contact between bus operators and customers, officials said at the time.
“Every day the dedicated men and women of our transportation industry do critically important work to ensure our community continues to run during this crisis, and we are eternally grateful for all that they do,” said U.S. Rep. Joseph Morelle. “It’s vital that our transit systems have the tools and resources they need to operate fully and continue getting frontline workers to their jobs every day.”
RGRTA, which marked its 50th anniversary last year, was scheduled to implement this summer Reimagine RTS, its new routing system that was several years in the making. That implementation has been put on hold until the pandemic has eased.
Rochester’s Regional Transit Service on Thursday said it would waive all bus fares and enact a new procedure for entering and exiting buses through April 19 or until the current State of Emergency is lifted. The new procedures will begin March 20.
“At this point, everyone should stay home and practice social distancing at all times. However we recognize that some travel is essential,” Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said. “We are grateful RTS is ensuring everyone has access to transportation to get those essential items, such as food or medicine.”
The Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority board of commissioners approved today a resolution authorizing CEO Bill Carpenter to waive the payment of fares. Carpenter’s decision to implement the waiving of fares was made in consultation with Bello, Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health Michael Mendoza M.D. and United Way of Greater Rochester Inc. President and CEO Jaime Saunders.
The waiving of fares will make critical travel to work or grocery stores easier, while also limiting the time spent at the closest point of contact between bus operators and customers. To further promote social distancing and the safety of everyone on the bus, customers will now use the rear door to enter and exit the bus until further notice, officials said. Customers with mobility limitations who need to use the ramp to board the bus will still be able to do so through the front door by signaling the bus operator.
“My thanks to RTS for helping those in need during this crisis. By waiving bus fares for riders, our families will have more resources to obtain the food and supplies they need,” Warren said in a statement. “I ask that everyone continue to practice social distancing while using buses. Also, be mindful and limit your trips to only those that are essential for food and supplies. Together, we can and will overcome the challenge this disease presents.”
Added Carpenter: “The number one priority at RTS is the safety and well-being of our employees and customers. The best way we can support that is to incorporate responsible social distancing practices while providing safe and sustainable public transportation that people can rely on to maintain access to critical services in the community.”
One year and two days from now, Rochester’s public transit system will have a new feel to it.
Regional Transit Service CEO Bill Carpenter announced Thursday during a Facebook Live event that the Reimagine RTS redesign had been approved by the RTS board of commissioners.
The Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority board of commissioners on Thursday unanimously voted in favor of the final plan for the Reimagine RTS transit system redesign. Regional Transit Service (RTS) has set a target date of June 29, 2020, to launch the reimagined system.
“It’s a watershed day for the Authority. This is a major transformation of the public transportation system in Rochester and Monroe County and throughout the region,” RTS Chaiman Geoffrey Astles said in a news conference.
Details of the reimagined transit system are included in the Reimagine RTS Final Recommendation Report, available online. The new system includes seven Community Mobility Zones, or CMZ, as well as a new on-demand service and improved frequencies and routes.
“The transit system approved today will not look like the same old bus company,” RTS CEO Bill Carpenter said during Thursday’s event. “Many of our customers will no longer need schedules. Our customers will know that when they get to the bus stop they will not have to wait long. All of our routes will run seven days a week and will do the same thing on every trip.”
RTS has worked with its stakeholders for the last two years to come up with a system that addresses frequency, reliability, accessibility and innovation.
“The reimagined system will have 9 percent more service hours, which means our customers will have more access to better transit. It means customers in the community mobility zones will have access throughout the day, throughout every day,” Carpenter said. “And it means paratransit customers will be able to complete all the trips they take today under the new system.”
RTS on-demand trips are curb-to-curb based on requested customer origin and destination. There is no set route or schedule like a conventional transit service. Customers can use the on-demand service within a CMZ to make a complete trip or connect to a fixed route service at either a connection hub or fixed route bus stop for travel outside the CMZ.
RTS on-demand customers can request a ride through the RTS mobile app, the RTS website
or by calling the RTS customer call center. The fee is $1 to $3.
The new RTS service will employ smaller vehicles for work related trips in the morning and afternoon, Carpenter said. When there are more people, the larger, 40-foot buses will be used; when fewer people are in need of transit, RTS will use smaller vans, like airport shuttles.
“Our customers will experience innovation when we introduce software online, by app or by phone to schedule on-demand trips, and mobile ticketing software for their fare payment,” Carpenter explained. “Their trips will be on display through improved technology behind the real-time information for customers to use to plan and complete their trips.”
The new transit system will have 10 routes with a frequency of every 15 minutes, while 20 routes will have buses available every 30 minutes, Carpenter noted. The base fare for the new fixed-route system will continue to be $1 per ride. The fare for senior citizens 65 and older and disabled customers is half price throughout the day. Military veterans are eligible for an RTS pass that enables them to ride RTS at no charge.
RTS has begun work on connection hubs and acquiring new vehicles, Carpenter said.
In May 2017, RTS hired California-based Transportation Management & Design Inc., which worked with a local firm, Highland Planning Inc., to conduct a study and analyze community input on a reimagined transit system. Altogether, the team received about 7,000 surveys from bus riders and 3,000 additional surveys and comments from community members and business and organization leaders who have a vested interest in the Reimagine RTS outcome.
[email protected] / 585-653-4021 Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer
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