TCAT board and general manager brief Ithaca Common Council on fleet, funding and fare plans

Officials from the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) updated the Ithaca Common Council on May 7 about system operations, funding and near-term plans to modernize the fleet and payment systems.

TCAT leaders said the agency operates about 1.2 million revenue miles annually, carried nearly 3 million riders in 2024 and runs roughly 53 buses across 25 fixed routes plus seasonal service. They described the system’s funding mix as primarily public: state operating assistance (STOA) accounted for roughly 20% of revenue, state and federal sources combined approximately 35%, Cornell’s service‑level agreement about 17% and local partners (city, county and Cornell) forming the local match needed for federal capital grants.

Fleet and equipment emerged as the agency’s primary challenge. TCAT officials said a number of older buses are increasingly unreliable and some battery-electric buses from an earlier vendor (Proterra) have been taken out of service because of frame and safety issues. To address shortages, TCAT expects to receive 11 new buses this year — five diesel buses to arrive soon plus six battery-electric buses procured from Gillig, a longstanding manufacturer. The system also has taken delivery of several used hybrid buses donated by a regional transit agency to help cover service in the near term.

On fare policy, TCAT officials said fares cover only a small fraction of operating costs (under 5% of revenue). They explained state rules that condition some operating assistance on having a minimum fare structure but noted that fare revenue can be subsidized by third parties. TCAT plans two payment upgrades in the near term: contactless mobile payment (tap-to-pay with credit card or device) and fare capping, a program that automatically prevents riders who pay per-trip from paying more than a daily or monthly pass over a period of use — an equity measure that benefits riders who cannot afford an upfront monthly pass.

Workforce and recruitment were also discussed. TCAT reported recent gains in hiring mechanics and bus operators, a new collective bargaining agreement that raised starting wages, and partnerships with regional vocational programs (Alfred State, SUNY Morrisville) and Cornell Cooperative Extension to develop training pathways for mechanics and operators. The agency said recruitment remains challenging because of regional cost-of-living pressures and competition from neighboring employers, but officials expressed guarded optimism that the new wage structure and training pipelines will improve retention.

Council members asked about free-fare possibilities, park-and-ride options and timelines for the new battery-electric buses and for federal approval to dispose of the previously problematic Proterra vehicles. TCAT officials said the federal disposition waiver for Proterra buses remained pending and that the Gillig battery buses would be delivered this year, while noting capacity and charging infrastructure considerations for wider service expansion.

The presentation concluded with council members thanking TCAT for the briefing and encouraging continued coordination on routes, service for workers and pilot efforts to increase ridership and accessibility.