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Committee appoints Laura Lewis to fill one-year vacancy on TCAT board
Summary
After a resignation, the committee moved to appoint Laura Lewis to a one-year term on the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) board; Lewis emphasized continuity, ridership growth and concern about future funding cliffs beyond 2026.
The Tompkins County Facilities & Infrastructure Committee voted Dec. 4 to appoint Laura Lewis to a one-year vacancy on the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) board, filling a term that expires Dec. 31, 2026.
Chair said Susan Curry submitted a resignation effective Dec. 31, creating the vacancy. County liaisons recommended Laura Lewis; committee members noted Lewis’s TCAT service since 2019 and prior terms as board chair. "I've served on the TCAT board since 2019," Lewis told the committee, adding that TCAT’s recent leadership changes and staffing "put TCAT in a far better position to move forward."
Committee members pressed Lewis on finances and Cornell’s role in the bus-pass program. Legislator Mike Lane asked whether TCAT can function after Cornell agreed to lower per-ride funding; Lewis said she believes TCAT will be "in reasonable shape" for 2026 but warned of a potential financial cliff in subsequent years tied to uncertain federal and state funding and underwriter concerns. Lewis said increasing dependable service and deploying new buses (electric and diesel) and staff will be central to growing ridership and revenue.
Randy Brown moved the appointment; Greg Mezey seconded. The motion carried by voice. The committee thanked Lewis for her willingness to continue serving and directed staff to forward the appointment to the full legislature for confirmation.
