Committee approves contract with NYSDOT for Mass Transportation capital grant

Marie Meyer Shearing, Steuben County director of planning, asked the AP Committee to approve a contract with the New York State Department of Transportation for a Mass Transportation Capital Project grant “in the amount of $4,443,676,” she said. She told the committee the award covers capital projects such as mobility management and purchase of buses because county buses are at the end of their useful life.

County staff explained the money flows from federal DOT funds through NYSDOT to the county, which in turn contracts with a private provider (named in the discussion as Transdev, formerly 1st Transit) to operate service. A county staff member said the local county match is small—“we budget about $50,000 of local cost a year, rarely spend it,” and staff described the distinction between capital-project funds and operating assistance.

A committee member moved the motion and it was seconded. After a period of questions and clarification the committee voted; several members responded ‘Aye’ and the Chair declared the motion carried. The committee recorded the motion as approved and directed staff to proceed with the contract process and the required sign-offs.