Way2Go Cortland community event on public transportation set for Thursday

(Photo Source: way2gocortland.org).

Cortland County residents will have the opportunity to make their voices heard regarding Cortland County’s public transportation system on Thursday (June 9) at the Way2Go Cortland Mobility Management program pop-up event.

The event will set to take place at the Beaudry Park Facility located on Scammell Street in the city of Cortland from 5:30-7 p.m. It will allow residents to provide feedback to county transportation authorities on public transportation routes, bus shelters, as well as new bus colors and a new logo. 

Cortland County Mobility Manager Melissa Potter told The Cortland Voice about the planned steady improvements to the county’s public transit program.

“The importance of this event is to have community input on the significant improvements we would like to make to our public transportation system,” she said. “While changes won’t happen overnight, this is the first step in helping us plan and coordinate improvements. So if there is a need that we are missing or something that shouldn’t be changed, this is an opportunity for the community to provide that feedback.”

Potter also spoke on the importance of public transportation overall.

“Transportation can be a major barrier for individuals to access resources,” Potter said. “In turn, making public transportation (available) is very important. It gets people to medical appointments, grocery stores, shopping, employment (and more).”

Potter said the county’s public transportation program should ultimately become safer, more accessible, and reliable for users.

A Cortland Transit bus will be available to tour at the pop-up event, according to a county press release. Officials from the Cortland County Health Department Traffic Safety Program will provide bike safety education and a limited quantity of bike helmets, the press release states. Food will also be provided.

Potter also addressed staffing shortages related to the public transportation program that have led to reduced service offerings at some points this year.

“All I can say regarding that is Cortland Transit has been a great partner and they are actively working to hire and train more drivers,” she said. “It’s not just Cortland County, but a nationwide issue.”