Committee approves $4.44 million NYSDOT capital grant for county buses

The AP committee voted Jan. 7 to approve executing a contract with the New York State Department of Transportation for the Mass Transportation Capital Project grant valued at $4,443,676.

Marie Meyer Shearing, the county director of planning, told the committee the funding covers capital projects including mobility management and purchase of buses because “our buses are at the end of their useful life.” She asked the committee to authorize execution of the contract; a committee member moved and a second was recorded before the final vote carried.

Staff explained how the program operates. A county staff member said federal DOT funds flow to the state DOT and then to the county, which acts as an intermediary and contracts with a private operator; in this case the county contracts with Transdev (formerly First Transit). The staff member also said the county budgets about $50,000 a year as local match but rarely spends the full amount; rising costs for drivers, capital and insurance mean local costs may increase.

Committee members asked whether the county owns buses and how payments are sent. Planning staff described the invoice process tied to STOA (State Transit Operating Assistance), explaining providers submit reports and the county signs and submits quarterly documentation to receive reimbursements. Members also raised questions about routes and coverage in more rural districts.

The committee closed discussion and approved the contract. The chair called for the vote; members said “Aye,” and the motion carried. The approval authorizes county staff to execute the NYSDOT contract and continue the existing pass‑through arrangement with the contracted operator.