Tompkins County transit agency reports service and staffing improvements but warns of funding uncertainty
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Summary
TCAT reported improved service reliability and staffing hires in 2024, ridership up about 20% from 2023 but still down 27% from pre-pandemic levels; the agency warned of continued dependence on federal and state grants and the risk posed by federal policy changes.
Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) reported to the Tompkins County Legislature on Feb. 4 that service reliability and management stability improved in 2024 but the agency remains dependent on federal and state grants and faces uncertainty about ongoing operating assistance.
Deborah Dawson, immediate past chair of TCAT's board and a county legislator, said TCAT is an independent nonprofit underwritten by Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca and Cornell University; the 2024 operating budget was roughly $20 million and the three underwriters together provide about $3 million (roughly 15% of operating revenues). She said fare revenue and a Cornell service‑level agreement account for additional revenue but that a large portion of TCAT's revenue comes from federal and state grants and STOA operating assistance.
Dawson reviewed operational challenges that marked 2024 — staffing shortages, a failed FTA triennial review that produced grant withholdings — and then outlined improvements: new general manager and new finance and HR leadership, fewer missed runs (about 167 missed of more than 19,000 scheduled in December), a new farebox system and renegotiated service agreements with Cornell and Ithaca College. Ridership was reported to be up over 20% from 2023 but still about 27% below pre‑pandemic levels.
Dawson flagged a new federal directive (as described in the meeting) that could condition grant funding on local compliance with federal immigration‑enforcement goals; because Tompkins County is a so‑called sanctuary jurisdiction, TCAT and the county are watching closely whether formula changes to STOA or new federal conditions could alter future funding. The general manager reported that, if STOA formula changes as discussed, it might be more generous than pre‑pandemic levels, but the outlook remains uncertain.
The legislature responded with praise for TCAT's recent staffing and management gains and noted continuing concerns about bus replacements, labor contract negotiations with UAW and the need for federal and state grant continuity to purchase new vehicles and sustain service.