Centro is proposing discontinuing all trips on the Westcott-Syracuse University route on Saturdays, a decision discussed at a public hearing downtown Wednesday evening.

The hearing, held by the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, which owns Centro, lasted from 5 to 6:45 p.m. Wednesday in the Syracuse Oncenter. Centro is proposing service and fare structure changes, which would become effective April 25, in an effort to help close an estimated $4.8 million deficit, according to its website.

The hearing was held to get feedback from Centro riders about the proposed changes. Six Centro officials — three from its management team and three from its board — listened to comments from riders, who urged them to reconsider the proposed hike in prices and cut in routes.

The area outside the university will be the most affected by the proposal.

The proposal changes most Saturday bus schedules to match Sunday schedules and discontinues many 12:30 a.m. trips on weekdays to match late-night weekend services. Several route changes also would be made throughout Central New York, including in Liverpool, Solvay and Baldwinsville, among others.

Eighty-five people attended, according to a sign-in sheet. Several attendees addressed the board during the meeting and voiced their displeasure about the route changes around Central New York and the fare hikes. Some held signs in protest of the proposal.

Many of those who spoke said they rely on Centro for transportation because they are without a license or vehicle. Attendees also told Centro representatives that the spike in fares would hurt senior citizens and disabled people who ride the bus. The riders on a fixed income will also feel the effects of the proposed changes, several speakers said.

‘The fare increases may not seem to be that large, but people on fixed incomes are facing their second consecutive year of no cost-of-living increase,’ said Sabrina Rautio, a representative from Syracuse United Neighbors, which is on South Salina Street.

Despite proposed changes to the Westcott-SU Centro bus route, only one university student spoke up at the hearing. Johanna Birkland, a doctoral candidate in the School of Information Studies, said cutting the Westcott route could hurt students.

‘I don’t think that a lot of students know that they’re proposing cutting that route or know that there’s going to be any changes,’ said Birkland, who rides the Westcott route. ‘It’s going to hurt a lot of students who can’t get transportation, particularly graduate students who live off campus and depend on the Westcott route.’

Steven Koegel, director of marketing and communications for Centro, said most SU students who live on campus ride the bus for free, which could explain why only one student attended the hearing. Although students don’t pay the fare, Koegel said the university reimburses Centro nearly in full for the bus services.

‘In essence, every student’s fare is paid for by Syracuse University, and it will continue to be so,’ he said.

Koegel said Centro has received less funding from New York state during the past three years. He said Centro has used reserve funds to compensate for the reduction in state funding. Centro has lost $12 million in funding over the past three years from the New York state mortgage recording tax and the state government, according to an article published in The Daily Orange on March 1.

The proposal would also increase the cash bus fare from $1.25 to $2 for most of Centro’s services. But riders who buy multi-ride or unlimited ride passes would pay $1.50 per ride rather than $2. In 2009, Centro also raised its fares, from $1 to $1.25, Koegel said.

‘We’ve just run out of options to the point where we now have to take a look at raising the bus fare and reducing some services that aren’t carrying as many people as some of our other routes,’ Koegel said. ‘So it’s something we’ve, unfortunately, had to turn to try and balance our budget.’

The changes were proposed about a month ago, and Centro’s board will meet at the end of March to either approve or change the proposal, he said. But Koegel said it is unfortunate Centro has to propose the changes to its services and fares.

Said Koegel: ‘We understand that these people depend on public transportation to do their daily needs, and it’s never fun when you have to propose changes that will affect people’s lives.’

jdharr04@syr.edu

 

 

 

 

Published on March 9, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Jon: jdharr04@syr.edu