(Photo Source: way2gocortland.org).
A purchase order of buses that will revamp Cortland Transit’s current bus fleet could come toward the end of the year, Cortland County officials said Thursday.
Legislators unanimously approved two resolutions at the County’s Agricultural, Planning, and Environmental Committee meeting that would approve several transportation purchases. The first resolution approves the acquisition of three 26-passenger buses with six wheelchair stations and related equipment. This purchase would not exceed $512,311.44.
The second resolution would authorize the purchase of five 16-passenger transit buses with four wheelchair stations and their related equipment. This purchase would not exceed $421,801.10
Both of these purchases do not have a cost to the county and have been budgeted for the use of New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) grant funding. First Transit, the company that oversees public transportation for the county, is set to pay whatever matching amount is required for the grant.
“We are very late on these purchases. Unfortunately everything has gotten pushed off,” said County planning director Trisha Jesset. “NYSDOT had not released the money until recently. We will not be receiving these buses until the end of the year.”
Jesset also noted the prices of buses had gone up from what the county had previously allocated.
“We were going to get six 16-passenger buses (instead of five), but because the prices have risen so much, we had to knock that down to five for virtually the same amount of money,” she said. “We are continuously looking forward to what is going to be happening with electric vehicles, but we are looking forward to getting these buses.”
The buses, Jesset said, will provide assistance when other transportation is unavailable.
“We have little to no spare buses,” she said. “Some have mechanical issues and some are out for routine service.”
Melissa Potter, the county’s mobility manager, also announced Cortland County’s public transportation service is experiencing workforce struggles.
“Cortland Transit is dealing with a driver shortage at the moment,” Potter said. “Route 5 is canceled for the week. Route 2 and Route 3 are combined for this week and Monday. They expect to be back to full service on Tuesday.”
