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Committee backs Schuyler County transit connection and hears plan for rides-for-recovery pilot
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Summary
Tompkins County’s committee approved an intermunicipal agreement allowing Schuyler County buses to connect at the Green Street hub with no cost to Tompkins and heard details of a $125,000 NYSDOT-funded Rides-to-Recovery pilot that will seek matching funds and use caseworker bookings and volunteer drivers.
The Tompkins County Facilities & Infrastructure Committee on April 16 approved a resolution authorizing an intermunicipal agreement with Schuyler County Public Transportation Service to allow Schuyler buses to connect into Tompkins County at a downtown Green Street hub. Committee members were told there is no cost to Tompkins County because fares for trips originating in Schuyler are collected by Schuyler County.
"There is no cost to Tompkins County," Frank Doldo said, explaining that fares would be collected by Schuyler County and that TCAT and Tompkins staff were supportive of the connection. Committee members asked about specific stop locations and transfer mechanics; transportation staff said state and FTA rules prevent duplication of service and that Schuyler will pick up riders at selected points (for example Green Street and the hospital) and coordinate transfers.
Transportation staff also presented a planned pilot program (Rides to Recovery / Bridal to Recovery) to provide free transportation for people in active recovery to services related to employment, medical care, food access and other social determinants of health. The pilot is funded initially with $125,000 from NYSDOT and must secure matching funds. Staff said caseworkers will book trips three days in advance, data will be gathered on usage and no-show rates, and volunteer drivers and in-kind contributions can serve as match.
"What Bridal to Recovery is is people in Tompkins County that are in active recovery... will get free transportation to social determinants of health," Frank explained. He said comparable pilots in other counties scaled up to several thousand trips per year over time and that the county expects to start small and expand if match funding is secured.
Committee members asked about long-term funding sources, including opioid-settlement money and SAMHSA grants. Staff said they will pursue several sources and that volunteer driver hours can count as in-kind match. The committee approved the Schuyler IMA resolution and will track funding prospects for the recovery rides pilot as staff seek matches.
The committee also asked for a future presentation from TCAT on route plans and how expanded intercounty connections might affect local service and rider transfers.
