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1
Schuyler County
Coordinated Public
Transit Human Services
Transportation Plan December, 2014
Reviewed by Schuyler County Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Planning
Committee January, 2015
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I. Current Members: Schuyler County Administrator, Schuyler County Legislator, The Arc of
Schuyler-operator of Schuyler County Transit, Self-Advocates, Department of Social Services, Office
For the Aging, Veterans Services, Head Start, Public Health, RSVP(Retired and Senior Volunteer
Program), Catholic Charities, Schuyler County School Districts, Chamber of Commerce, Workforce
NY, Finger Lakes Medical Transportation, Schuyler Hospital, Seneca View Skilled Nursing, Chemung
County Transit Specialist, Mobility Managers representing Schuyler, Chemung and Steuben counties,
NYS Department of Transportation, MAS (Medical Answering Service).
II. Introduction
The Schuyler County Coordinated Human Services Transportation Committee has prepared the
following plan to provide a summary of its previous public transit-human services transportation
coordination efforts, to document current efforts, and to provide an outline for future efforts to improve
coordination of transportation trips provided to the citizens of Schuyler County. This Schuyler County
Coordinated Human Services Transportation Committee Plan, hereafter referred to as The Plan, is
specifically prepared to comply with the regulations of the Federal Transportation Administration,
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). This bill replaces the former Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act-A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LUs)
mandate. MAP-21 mandates that projects for specific Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs
be derived from a "locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan".
The FTA programs the plan applies to are:
Section 5310 –Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
Section 5316 -Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC)- As part of Map-21 5316 eligible
expenses are now part of 5311- Formula Grant Rural Areas
Section 5317 -New Freedom-As part of Map-21 5317 eligible expenses have been combined
with 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities.
See item II below, “Background Information on Federal Transit Programs and Recipients of Federal
Program Funds”, for descriptions of these programs.
Schuyler County also utilizes the FTA Section 5311 program. This program provides capital, planning
and operating assistance to support public transportation in rural areas with populations less than 50,000.
Also, in 2011 the County applied for funds through the FTA Section 5309 Bus and Bus facilities
program. The 5309 program could be an important source for funding public transit capital
improvements or other new starts programs going forward.
This Plan identifies decisions Schuyler County government and the stakeholders continue to make to
improve transportation to its residents and coordinate efforts among current transportation providers. It
also indicates additional actions that would improve coordination of services if the actions can be
coordinated and funded. While The Plan has been formalized and updated at this point in time to meet
the Federal requirements, in order for it to be effective it must be flexible in its implementation as new
needs are identified, unanticipated coordination opportunities are identified or planned efforts need to be
refocused.
It is important to note that the 2007 Plan was developed using information gathered from two previous
planning efforts. The Schuyler-Steuben Transportation Committee performed the ground work for this
Plan in the transit portions of its "Final Report --Schuyler-Steuben Rural Transportation Needs Study"
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(October, 2002). The Schuyler-Steuben "Needs Study” included the establishment of a transit
subcommittee to consider unmet needs, which played an active part in formalizing the 2007 version of
this Plan.
In 2006, Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates was hired by Schuyler County to complete a Schuyler
County Transit Needs Assessment. The “Schuyler County Transit Needs Assessment- Final Report –
July 2007” went into greater detail than the Schuyler-Steuben study and included a detailed inventory of
services and resources, and a Schuyler-specific needs analysis completed with significant public
outreach. An outcome of the process used to complete that study were new partnerships among possible
stakeholders and a commitment to work toward better utilization of transportation resources. The 2007
study detailed decisions and actions the County could take to increase public transit services to its
residents through both service additions and better coordination and utilization of existing human
service transportation already provided.
During the period between 2007 and 2010 major efforts were put into the development of a public
transit system operated by The Arc of Schuyler through a contract with Schuyler County. This system
required tremendous effort and support by all parties including the NYS Department of Transportation.
In 2010, FTA Section 5316 and Section 5317 grant funds were used to support the hiring of a Schuyler
County Mobility Manager. With the support of the Mobility Manager, the Schuyler County Coordinated
Human Services Transportation Committee meets regularly to discuss transportation needs and
coordination opportunities as reflected in this Plan.
II. Historical Information on Federal Transit Programs and Recipients of Federal Program
Funds
The following is a brief description of the three Federal funding programs that were covered by the
SAFETEA-LU mandate that required a coordination plan such as the one presented here.
A. FTA Section 5310 made funds available to meet the special transportation needs of elderly
persons and persons with disabilities. The funds were apportioned to the states annually by a
formula that was based on the number of elderly persons and persons with disabilities in each
state. The program is still administered in New York State by the New York State Department of
Transportation (NYSDOT). Capital assistance is provided on an 80 percent Federal, 20 percent
local matching basis. Examples of capital expenses include but are not limited to buses and vans.
In New York State, private nonprofit agencies are eligible to receive program funding, and must
demonstrate that they are a participant in local transportation coordination efforts. The Arc of
Schuyler currently utilizes vehicles funded by the Section 5310 program. It was determined that
project applications for the continued replacement of those vehicles to provide services for these
populations are important to the County and needs to be part of this Plan. Although 5310
funding has changed under Map-21, the capital vehicle replacement for non-profits has not and
The Arc of Schuyler intends to continue to use the program to replace vehicles funded through
5310.
B. FTA Section 5316 Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) was a formula grant that
provided funding for local governmental authorities and agencies, and non-profit entities that
offered job access and reverse commute services to transport low income individuals to and from
job training, for child care, and to develop transportation services for residents of urban centers
and rural and suburban areas to suburban employment opportunities. Job Access grants also
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financed capital projects and operating costs of equipment, facilities, and associated, capital
maintenance items related to providing access to jobs; promoted use of transit by workers with
nontraditional work schedules; promoted use by appropriate agencies of transit vouchers for
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients and eligible low income
individuals; and promoted use of employer-provided transportation. For Reverse Commute
grants, the following activities were eligible -operating costs, capital costs and other costs
associated with reverse commute by bus, train, carpool, vans or other transit service. Eligible
activities for JARC funding included late-night and weekend service, guaranteed ride home
service, shuttle service; expanded fixed-route public transit routes; demand-responsive service;
ridesharing and carpooling activities; transit related aspects of bicycling; local car loan programs
that assisted individuals in purchasing and maintaining vehicles for shared rides; marketed
promotions for JARC activities; supported the administration and expenses related to voucher
programs; used Geographic Information System (GIS) tools and/or implemented Intelligent
Transportation Systems (ITS); integrated automated regional public transit and human service
transportation information, schedule and dispatch functions; deployed vehicle position-
monitoring systems; and established regional mobility managers or transportation brokerage
activities. The Federal/local share is 80/20 for capital projects which had included mobility
management and 50/50 for operating projects. In New York State, NYSDOT was responsible for
the JARC program administration to rural areas such as Schuyler County. NYSDOT used a
competitive selection process that awarded grantees.
In January 2010, a JARC grant to develop a Mobility Management program for Schuyler County
was awarded to The Arc of Schuyler. The initial grant period covered calendar years 2010-2011
and the mobility management project is funded through December, 2015. Section 5316 no
longer exists under MAP-21 and funding has been combined for rural areas under Section 5311
Rural formula grants.
C. Section 5317 New Freedom was a Federal transit formula grant program that encouraged
services and facility improvements to address the transportation needs of persons with
disabilities that went beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Funds could
be used for capital and operating costs to provide the new services. Examples of projects and
activities that could be funded under the program included, but were not limited to: the purchase
of vehicles and supporting accessible taxi, ride-sharing, and vanpooling programs; it provided
paratransit services beyond minimum requirements (3/4 mile to either side of a fixed route), that
included seasonal routes; accessibility improvements to transit and intermodal stations;
supported voucher programs for transportation services offered by human service providers; and
supported mobility management and coordination programs among public transportation
providers and other human service agencies that provide transportation. The Federal share for the
net project capital cost of a project was up to 80 percent, and not more than 50 percent of the net
operating cost of a project.
In conjunction with the JARC grant noted above, in January 2010 a New Freedom grant to
develop a Mobility Management program for Schuyler County was awarded to The Arc of
Schuyler. The initial grant period covered calendar years 2010-2011.
Beginning with calendar year 2012 the application process for funding both Sections 5316 JARC
and 5317 New Freedom is a combined application. An application was submitted by The Arc of
Schuyler to continue the Mobility Management program for calendar years 2012 -2013. It is
important that these funds be applied for in subsequent years in order to ensure the continued
availability of Mobility Management services and is currently funded through December, 2015.
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Section 5317 no longer exists under MAP-21 and funding was been combined for rural areas
under Section 5310.
Current Federal Transit Administration Programs
A. Section 5310: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
Purpose This program is intended to enhance mobility for seniors and persons with disabilities by
providing funds for programs to serve the special needs of transit-dependent populations
beyond traditional public transportation services and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
complementary paratransit services. Administration of this program has been through NYS
Department of Transportation and for rural areas will continue to be administered through
NY Department of Transportation under the current MAP-21 transportation law. This
program was historically utilized to purchase busses for non-profit organizations. The Arc of
Schuyler has and looks to continue to utilize this source for the funding of busses. It is
important to note that Mobility Management has been combined on the federal level as an
eligible expense, however at the current date it appears NY will continue to utilize this
program as a bus purchase program and Mobility Management activities will be eligible
under the 5311 program. Should the State reconsider and allow Mobility Management
activities under 5310, it is of interest to consider 5310 as a funding source for the Mobility
Management program.
III. Inventory of Services and Resources
Transportation services for Schuyler County residents are provided by one primary public transit
operator, various human service agencies, private taxi, a private medical transport company and
contract/limousine private operators.
A. Public Transit Schuyler County Transit is the primary public transportation service in Schuyler County. The
Schuyler County Transit vehicle fleet currently consists of 5 vehicles, each with seating capacity
for ambulatory passengers of 18, with wheelchair capacity. Additional vehicles, as replacements
will continue to be requested through the 5311 capital program. Public transit services are
provided, using the D/B/A Schuyler County Transit, through a contract between Schuyler
County and The Arc of Schuyler, a private not for profit organization which provides services for
individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition, The Arc of Schuyler provides preschool
transportation services for children with disabilities and non-emergency medical transportation
for Schuyler County residents through County contracts. Schuyler County Transit offers both
fixed route and Dial- A-Ride services within the County. The planned expansion of Schuyler
County Transit’s services to Corning now connects residents with the college and other transit
services at the Corning Transportation Center. A planned expansion to the City of Elmira is still
under consideration pending possible funding opportunities and provided cost sharing partners
are found.
In August of 2013, Department of Health changed the way Non-emergency medical
transportation was brokered and all transportation is centralized through a Transportation
Manager on a state-wide basis. The Transportation Manager is a private company, Medical
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Answering Service (MAS) based in Syracuse, NY. As a result of this change, many rural
systems across NY have either eliminated or greatly reduced transit service that was previously
cost shared through Department of Social Services and is now primarily distributed to private
taxis and other companies. Schuyler County has been greatly impacted by this change and has
pro-actively sought new cost-share partners, but has reduced Dial-A-Ride service and eliminated
all out of county Dial-A-Ride services.
An ancillary bus service that had been operating in Schuyler County was provided by T-CAT.
Prior to T-CAT’s operation of the system the service was provided by Chemung County Transit,
operated as First Transit (now known as C-Tran). It was designed primarily around Cornell
University employee start/quit times. Four schedules were designed to make the service
attractive to employees arriving to the campus between 7:30 am to 8:00 am, and departing from
the campus between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm. The system served only one particular market and
became cost prohibitive for the County to continue to fund. The service was terminated in 2010.
B. Private Transportation Providers
There are some bus companies, limousine companies, and taxi companies serving counties
surrounding Schuyler.
1) Bernie Bus Service through a contract with the Schuyler County Health Services provides
some transportation for children with disabilities to/from a pre-school educational setting and
is also contracted by Head Start to provide transportation for 3-5 year olds;
2) Durham (formally A & E busing) provides some preschool transportation for Schuyler
County Health Services.
3) Totem Taxi provides some services under contract to Schuyler County Department of Social
Services (DSS);
4) Terps, is a private bus company that can be contracted with for specialized event
transportation.
5) Finger Lakes Medical Transportation (Lundy) provides ambulette transportation and livery
type service for ambulatory Medicaid enrollees and private pay riders.
6) A.S.A.P. taxi company is a new taxi service (July 2014) operating within Watkins Glen and
Montour Falls.
7) The Watkins Glen State Park contracts on an annual basis to provide a shuttle bus to take
visitors between the upper and lower portions of the park.
C. Human Service Agency Transportation Providers and Purchasers
The 2007 Schuyler County Transit Needs Assessment Final Report cataloged more than twelve
human service agencies and units of local government that offered some form of transportation
assistance to their clients in Schuyler County. The programs and services they administered
primarily targeted individuals and families in population segments with mobility challenges
caused by developmental, mental and physical disabilities, aging, low income and/or lack of a
personal automobile. The Schuyler Needs Assessment found that access to transportation is a
major issue for these groups, especially to travel for purposes other than those as an agency
client.
In 2011, only those agencies identified as being a major service provider or service purchaser in
Schuyler County were interviewed and asked to complete an updated survey. There were eight
primary agencies were surveyed. Client transportation programs generally fell into three
categories: major service providers, incidental service providers, and service purchasers.
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Major Service Providers include entities that own or lease vehicles and employ paid drivers
or maintain an organized workforce of volunteers to operate fixed or flexibly scheduled
weekday passenger services as an internal function. The 2007 Coordinated Plan identified
six agencies that would be considered major service providers: The Arc of Schuyler, County
Department of Health Services (DHS), County Department of Social Services (DSS), Head
Start, Office for the Aging (OFA), and Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). A 2011
survey of these providers indicates that the Schuyler County Department of Health Services
(DHS) and Head Start have shifted management of their transportation operations from that
of service provider to service purchaser. This section of this report has therefore been
modified to reflect that the number of major human service transportation service providers
in 2011 has been reduced from 6 to 4.
The Arc of Schuyler
The Arc is the largest direct provider of client transportation services in Schuyler County
and is approved by NYSDOT as a Contract Carrier. The current fleet consists of 8 buses
with varying capacities ranging from 14-18 ambulatory passengers, each with wheelchair
capacity, and 5 minivans running contract services sponsored by Department of Social
Services for fixed low-income and Medicaid-eligible persons, Department of Health
Non-emergency Medicaid transportation and Schuyler County for transportation of pre-
school children with disabilities to their educational programs. The buses have been
purchased through the NYS Department of Transportation 5310 program and plan to
continue this procurement process. The Arc provides advocacy and support services to
approximately 300 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Key
internal programs, notably Day Habilitation and Glen Industries (vocational training) are
centrally located within The Arc’s administrative offices at 203 and 210 Twelfth Streets
in Watkins Glen and are open Monday – Friday from 8:30AM -4:30 PM. With the advent
of Schuyler County Transit, The Arc of Schuyler is now able to purchase bus passes for
some individuals and was thereby able to reduce its overall fleet of buses by one. See
Appendix A for Vehicle Inventory.
The Arc of Schuyler also has residential programs that operate 24 hours/7 days a week at
various locations throughout the County and provide supportive living situations.
Transportation for those residents is incidental and closely related to client program
activities. Therefore vehicles assigned to the residential programs are not considered
available for public transit coordination and are not included in this report.
Schuyler County Department of Social Services (DSS)
Schuyler County Department of Social Services provides a range of services targeting
low-income adults and children residing in Schuyler County. The Department of Social
Services offers limited personal transportation assistance using a combination of direct
service delivery as a service purchaser and distribution of cash and vouchers. Priority trip
purposes include medical and dental appointments, hospital outpatient services, required
appointments not covered by Medicaid, job search activities and interviews. In 2010, the
Department of Social Services through a cost sharing agreement with Schuyler County
Transit, allowed for non-emergency medical transportation runs to be open to the public.
This resulted in savings to the Department of Social Services as well as served as a major
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impetus for the initiation of public transit services for all Schuyler County residents. In
August of 2013, Department of Health changed the way Non- emergency medical
transportation was brokered and it is now centralized through a Transportation Manager
on a state-wide basis. The Transportation Manager is a private company, Medical
Answering Service (MAS) based in Syracuse, NY. As a result of this change, many rural
systems across NY have either eliminated or greatly reduced transit service that was once
cost shared through Department of Social Services and is now primarily distributed to
private taxis and other companies. See Appendix A for Vehicle inventory.
Schuyler County Office For the Aging (OFA)
The Office For the Aging provides services for Schuyler County residents 60 years of age
and older, ranging from nutrition and in-home services to benefits assistance, referrals
and advocacy. Office For the Aging receives federal funding under the Older Americans
Act and state funding through the New York State Office For the Aging. Local matching
funds are provided by Schuyler County. Additional funding is provided through program
donations and by participant contributions. Transportation assistance is provided either
directly or through volunteers and use of vouchers. OFA identified a county wide
centrally coordinated transportation request process, integrated with a full array of
transportation choices that could result in increased services for seniors and more
efficient operations. For this endeavor to be successful, strong educational outreach to the
senior population along with addressing the shortage of volunteer drivers would be
needed. In July of 2014, a centralized transportation call center became possible through
a combination of grants: Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative
(VTCLI) which allowed for scheduling and routing software, marketing and outreach
efforts and JARC / New Freedom grants that assisted with a part-time position with local
cost-share from The Office For the Aging and The Arc of Schuyler. In July 2014
transportation arrangements transferred to the new transportation call center in order to
more effectively coordinate transportation and direct seniors to the most appropriate, cost
effective mode of transportation. A decline in available volunteer drivers has been
identified as an area of concern. There has been some success noted, with travel training
assistance, in encouraging seniors to use the new public transit system. See Appendix A
for Vehicle Inventory.
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) RSVP is a coordinated volunteer program sponsored by the Corporation for National and
Community Service and Catholic Charities of Schuyler County. The RSVP program is
intended to engage people 55 years of age and older in volunteer activities designed to
meet community needs while enriching the life of the volunteers. RSVP volunteers
provide transportation as a major function of the program. The RSVP, RIDE program
involves volunteers using their personal automobiles to transport older adults primarily to
medical appointments in Schuyler, Chemung, Steuben and Tompkins County. RSVP has
referral and reimbursement agreements with a number of agencies, including Office for
the Aging and the Veterans Service Agency.
Service Purchasers are agencies that supplement their internal operations by contracting
transportation services or reimbursing mileage expenses to individuals. These agencies may
contract directly with other entities and/or offer cash or vouchers to clients to purchase
transportation service, or provide mileage reimbursement to family members, guardians and
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individual volunteers to provide client transportation. In 2010, Schuyler County Transit
provided a new option, which is for agencies to purchase bus passes to meet client needs.
The number of agencies that purchase transportation services has increased from five in
2007 to six in 2011. Service purchasers using one or more of the methods described above
are the Department of Health Services, Department of Social Services (DSS), Office for the
Aging (OFA), The Arc of Schuyler (ARC), Veterans Service Agency, and Head Start. (The
previous report indicated that the Schuyler County Child Care Coordinating Council offered
a mileage reimbursement program. When surveyed this year, they indicated they do not
provide this service.) Schuyler County Department of Social Services continues to purchase
service on a contractual basis from other entities including The Arc of Schuyler and taxies
when transportation needs are outside of the scope of the public transit fixed route and Dial
A Ride service times/areas. Schuyler County purchases services through contracts with
Durham (formerly A&E bussing), The Arc of Schuyler and Birnie Bus Transportation to
operate six routes transporting pre-school children with disabilities to special education
programs in surrounding counties. The Head Start program, which serves children ages 3-5,
discontinued direct operation of bus services and now contracts with Birnie Bus and the
Watkins Glen and Odessa Montour Central School District for these services.
Incidental Service providers includes entities that own or lease vehicles, typically use
program staff and volunteers to drive clients, and operate mainly demand responsive service
for individuals and groups of clients. Most trips are closely related to client program
activities. In 2007, 4 agencies/programs were identified as owning or leasing one or more
vehicles allocated at least part of the time to provide passenger transportation. The agencies
were Catholic Charities, Economic Opportunity Program (EOP), Finger Lakes DDSO and
Rainbow Chasers, a program sponsored by the Elmira Psychiatric Center. The 2011 survey
identified the number of incidental service providers as 3, with the Economic Opportunity
Program (EOP) no longer providing these services in Schuyler County. The remaining 3
agencies/programs have vehicles serving resident’s needs that do not fit into the categories
of major service provider or service purchaser noted above. These agencies and the
transportation services they provide were discussed in detail in Appendix A of the 2007
Schuyler County Transit Needs Assessment. Since their services continue to be incidental in
nature, inventory of their vehicle fleets was determined not to be of consequence to note
again here. However, as it seems all agencies have been experiencing cuts in funding,
alternate transportation methods for clients served through these programs may need to be
found. The Mobility Manager will continue to be a critical link between the service
providers and consumers and assist agencies with travel training as well as offer the new
transportation call center as a possible solution or point of contact to monitor unmet needs
and possible alternative transportation.
Other local agencies/businesses providing transportation services that may realize benefits
from additional coordination efforts are Seneca View, the Skilled Nursing Facility operated
by Schuyler Hospital and The Falls Home, a privately operated assisted living program.
More information should be obtained on their transportation needs to determine what
assistance the Mobility Manager and the coordination committee might be able to provide.
It should also be noted for purpose of inventory, that the Watkins Glen State Park purchases
seasonal shuttle service running entirely within the park. This is a very limited route geared
to a specific targeted population.
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D. Schuyler County Transportation Call Center:
The Schuyler County Transportation Call Center is a result of several grants and agreements. The
scheduling and routing software is a result of the Veterans Transportation and Community Living
Initiative (VTCLI) grant. This grant had a second round of funding that will be used to market and
promote the call center through a variety of means including promotional items for outreach events,
online, print, radio, television and a website redesign for transit and the call center. The part time
position created for the call center is provided by a combination of JARC (Job Access Reverse
Commute) and New Freedom grants with local match by Office For the Aging. JARC and New
Freedom grants provide the funding for both the Mobility Manager and the Mobility Management
Coordinator who is part time with local match provided by Office For the Aging. It has been identified
as a priority to continue these positions and program to effectively and efficiently coordinate
transportation within Schuyler County. JARC and New Freedom funding were results of the SAFETY-
LU transportation law that expired in October of 2012. MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for progress in the 21st
Century Act) is the transportation law which replaces SAFETY-LU and was a two year transportation
program for years 2013-2014 with possible extensions. Currently MAP-21 has been extended through
March, 2015. Under the new law JARC and New Freedom programs have been combined into other
transportation funding programs. JARC has been combined into 5311 for rural areas and 5307 for urban
areas. Mobility Management is still considered a capital expense and eligible for 80/20 (Federal/local)
funding split. New Freedom has been combined into the 5310 program and for rural areas such as
Schuyler and will be administered by the State. Although Mobility Management is considered an
eligible expense through 5310, it appears the State is leaning toward maintaining 5310 as a vehicle
acquisition program for transit dependent populations beyond transportation services covered by the
Americans with Disabilities Act. 5310 is now called the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals
with Disabilities. However, should the State reconsider and allow Mobility Management as an
allowable activity, this option will be considered for sustained funding.
IV. Assessment of Community Needs
According to 2010 Census data, Schuyler County has a population of approximately 18,343 and covers
an area of 329 square miles. When addressing transportation needs Schuyler County faces the challenges
of scattered populations and destinations, rugged terrain, limited availability of direct routes and weather
conditions. On the other hand, such limiting conditions make coordination of existing transportation
services all the more logical.
A 2007 Transportation Needs Study commissioned by Schuyler County involved considerable outreach
to the public, human service agency officials, transportation services users\riders, the business
community, government agencies, and elected officials. A Schuyler County Coordinated Public Transit
Human Services Transportation Committee was later formed and has been meeting regularly since that
report was issued. The Committee discusses areas of unmet needs and identifies and tracks progress
where transportation coordination can be improved.
A summary statement of current services and unmet needs contained in the 2007 Schuyler County
Transportation Needs Study (Chapter 5) noted three themes that reflect current sentiments regarding the
provision of transportation services for area residents.
“… (a) basic transit system is critically needed for a growing segment of the population making
longer distance trips to Chemung and Steuben County. These trips respond to the prevailing
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location of commercial and retail facilities in and around the Arnot Mall in Horseheads, as well
as, downtown Elmira and Corning. The second item identified was that lower income households
in the rural townships of Schuyler County need a reliable, affordable means to getting to Watkins
Glen and Montour Falls for access to locally-based programs and services, as well as transfer
access to the public transit systems in contiguous counties”. The third item on which local
officials and taxpayers agree is that the public transportation system created must be affordable
to local governments. “… the transit system that was implemented must be sustainable over time
within the combination of available federal, state, local subsidies and user fees."
The following outlines current populations served and unmet needs:
1. Fixed Route Service: In August 2010, Schuyler County initiated a pilot program connecting
the villages of Burdett, Watkins Glen, Montour Falls and Odessa. These public transit runs
are open to the general public, but also meet needs of low income, seniors and people with
disabilities who live within ¾ miles of fixed routes. The new Public Transit service also
includes a Dial-A- Ride component servicing outlying areas of the County on certain days
during specified times, in conjunction with non-emergency medical transportation services
required to be provided by the Department of Social Services. First year operational data
demonstrated slow and steady increased utilization of the public transit system. Continued
outreach and education is needed for residents to learn how to use public transit. Mobility
management and travel training programs are critical to assist in the continued success of
the system. Through changes implemented by the State Department of Health, the non-
emergency medical transportation which was a significant cost sharing partner in transit,
changed from local administration to a consolidated statewide call center. This
significantly cut revenues beginning in August 2013 through current date and transit has
been forced to make service changes in order to maintain the most feasible service possible.
Partnerships with Arc of Schuyler opening some routes to the public has increased public
access to areas such as Corning and some additional opportunities in portions of rural
Eastern Schuyler County.
2. Regional Transportation: A previously identified unmet need is better transit connections
regionally between Schuyler, Steuben and Chemung Counties. This need was further
defined in the 2007 study as a need for regional services throughout the business day for
access to medical services, employment, educational opportunities, and retail businesses.
New cost sharing arrangements with the Department of Social Services and The Arc of
Schuyler, with State Transportation Operating Assistance through NYS DOT, are under
consideration as a means to address this need. In January 2014, The Arc of Schuyler
partnered with transit and the State Department of Transportation and opened an existing
route to Corning. The service has been well received and continued outreach will be
needed to grow ridership. Chemung County had been served through a limited Dial-A-
Ride service, but this service was discontinued as a direct result of the changes made by
Department of Health and the Non-emergency Medical transportation program. For
additional employment opportunity, the opening of a new casino in Seneca County in 2016
offers new employment opportunities for Schuyler County and a transit related run should
be considered.
3. Transit Hours of Operation: Once public transit had been operational for a year, extending
public transit hours, perhaps starting at 7:00 AM and running some evenings until 8:00PM
to be compatible with recreational events and after hour clinics has been identified by
agencies surveyed as needed for some populations. In 2014 it was identified this would be
12
advantageous and transit service now starts at 7:30AM, but to accommodate the earlier
hour, a larger gap in mid-day service was necessary. Evening service is still listed as a
need and as funding opportunities present, the opportunities will be revisited.
4. Rural Transportation: The need for transportation services is within all areas of the County,
but is especially acute for rural residents who do not have access to personal transportation
to use from and to their homes for access to medical, employment, educational,
recreational, and retail business in the County. The current Dial-A- Ride service provides
some assistance to the rural areas on a limited basis but expansion is needed. In August of
2014 due to the funding gap caused by Department of Health and the non-emergency
transportation program Dial-A-Ride was reduced to limited times and service reduced to
two days a week, and out-of-county service was discontinued in August of 2014.
5. Hospital Affiliations: Schuyler Hospital’s recent affiliation agreement with Cayuga
Medical Center in Tompkins County was noted. This possibly could affect traffic patterns
for those that need medical services in the future.
6. Human Service Transportation Coordination Opportunities: It was noted in the 2007 Plan
that client transportation provided by human service agencies and private transportation
providers under contract to government, and funded by government is just that,
transportation limited to clients. The purpose of detailing the transportation providers and
funding agencies in this Plan, the populations they serve, and where they provide services
helps to identify future areas for possible transportation coordination. The Schuyler County
Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Committee will continue to discuss
opportunities for better coordination of transportation services among the human service
agencies which could also result in meeting some of the unmet general public's
transportation needs. In July, 2014 the Transportation Call Center began receiving calls for
Office For the Aging and in August, Veterans Service Agency. This coordination allows
for the most appropriate, cost effective mode of transportation to be assigned. With the
assistance of new scheduling and routing software, new reports are able to be produced to
accurately portray current need and seek additional future coordination projects.
7. School Transportation: Transportation services for school aged children was noted as an
area for future study. The Watkins Glen School District will be initiating a single bus run,
starting with the 2012-2013 school year, with First Student as the contractor. Other
opportunities for savings on school bus transportation costs are an area of interest. It was
also noted that addressing transportation needs of students for afterschool, summer school
and other activities should be looked into. 2013 brought the consolidation of bussing to a
one route system and First Student is no longer the contractor. Drivers are now direct
employees of the school district. 2014 consolidated the school bus services for both
Watkins Glen and the Odessa-Montour districts.
8. Tourist Transportation: The need for transportation related to the significant tourism
industry in the County has been discussed. Regular routes to popular tourist destinations
within the region has been addressed as a need. Examples include wineries, parks and the
new proposed casino slated for development in 2016 within Seneca County.
9. “One Stop” Transportation Information Center: An unmet need identified in past studies
was the development of a “One Stop" Transit Information service center and website. A
mobility management program was started in January 2010 with assistance through Federal
JARC/New Freedom grants. The Mobility Manager is able to provide residents with
transportation information and collect data for a central data base on unmet needs. The
“one stop” concept was able to be tested as a result of the cost sharing arrangement
between the Department of Social Services and the public transit system. The Mobility
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Manager took on the role of coordinating transportation for Department of Social Services
non-emergency medical transportation in September 2010. A successful model that
combines education regarding transportation options, travel training for those needing
instruction on how to use public transit, and a more coordinated system for dispatching
vehicles was developed that could be replicated for other populations. However the systems
in use today are labor intensive and therefore limited. In 2014 software technology was
purchased as a result of the VTCLI grant that has allowed for additional coordination
between transit, Office For the Aging and Veterans Service Agency with various modes of
transportation being dispatched.
10. Veteran Transportation: In 2011, the Mobility Managers in Schuyler, Chemung and
Steuben Counties began working together to address unmet needs for veterans and their
families. Barriers identified for veterans were that Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
vans to assist veterans with medical appointments do not exist in Schuyler County and that
most veteran health services are located out of county with the nearest veterans and
military support services being Bath Veterans Administration Medical Center, Elmira
Veterans Administration Clinic, Syracuse Veterans Administration Medical Center,
Rochester Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the Buffalo Veterans
Administration Medical Center. It was agreed that the Mobility Managers and providers of
veterans’ services would continue to work together and further study how to best address
the particular transportation challenges faced by veterans. In 2014 through these
coordinated efforts, the Bath VAMC is looking at the development of a new bus to meet
existing transit services of Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben counties at the Corning
transportation hub. Rideshare is also being considered to bring together Veteran volunteer
drivers with fellow Veterans that need rides to specific grouped appointments.
11. Coordination Software: In conjunction with regional veteran’s services providers, it was
identified that a coordinated transportation data collection and reservation approach would
benefit veterans. In 2011, The Arc of Schuyler and Schuyler County applied for and was
awarded a Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative (VTCLI) grant that
will support the development of mobility management software. The goal of the grant is to
develop a smoother and more efficient process for transportation coordination that will
benefit veterans as well as other populations. This grant will help move the County one
step closer to having a One Stop/One Click transportation center available to all residents. .
In July of 2014 the Transportation Call Center began receiving, scheduling and dispatching
of calls for the transit system as well as for Office For the Aging. August, 2014 saw the
addition of Veterans Service Agency. This Coordination allows for more accurate data
collection and review of services that can be combined with transit and or other rides to
provide overall efficiencies. The ability to coordinate Medicaid transportation trips has
been eliminated by the Department of Health’s non-emergency medical transportation
program.
12. Regional Medical Center Transportation: Collaborative meetings with RSVP, Department
of Social Services, The Arc of Schuyler and Veterans Services, further defined a regional
transportation need. It was determined that veterans, people with disabilities and low
income individuals regularly need transportation to specialty medical centers in
surrounding cities. In addition to the VA centers noted above, Rochester and Sayre were
identified as areas frequented. The Mobility Managers of Schuyler, Chemung and Steuben
are exploring options to better coordinate these trips.
13. Volunteer Recruitment: A new area of concern identified by agencies that rely on volunteer
driver programs that serve seniors and veterans is that they are seeing a decrease in the
14
number of available volunteer drivers while the demand for these services is increasing.
The volunteer driver program is an important alternative to public transit when added
flexibility or personal attention is needed. Creative approaches to attract more volunteer
drivers has been identified as a need.
14. Ithaca Transportation: The possibility to connect with the T-CAT public transit system in
Schuyler County should continue to be considered. In particular a commuter service to
Cornell University, a large regional employer, has been identified as a need. Currently two
van pools are operating within Schuyler County to fill the need from the eliminated TCAT
service. One vanpool currently operates in Hector and the other from Montour Falls. The
Mobility Management Office occasionally still receives requests for transportation to/from
Ithaca that is usually medical in nature.
15. Employment Transportation and Partnerships: It was noted that business owners and
corporations sometimes offer incentives to employees to use public or pooled
transportation options. These could include paying a portion of the costs for bus tickets or
offering employee tax benefits through flexible benefit plans. More should be understood
regarding what regional business needs are (i.e. what schedules employees work, parking
limitations) to see if innovative solutions and partnerships could develop.
V. Strategies, Activities and or projects to address identified needs or gaps in service:
Partnerships, Coordination Issues, and Next Steps
The Schuyler-Steuben Transportation Study Advisory Committee performed the original ground
work for this Plan in the transit portions of its "Final Report --Schuyler-Steuben Rural
Transportation Needs Study" (October, 2002). A comprehensive Transit Needs Assessment was
commissioned by Schuyler County and completed in 2007 that further detailed transportation
needs and options. That Study involved a Steering Committee of transit users of the current
commuter service, the private transit provider of the commuter service (First Transit as Chemung
County Transit Services). Schuyler County elected officials and the County Administrator, The
Arc of Schuyler, Schuyler County Office for the Aging, NYSDOT Transit Bureau, and the
Elmira Chemung Transportation Council. The Study involved outreach to the public, county
government agencies, the business community, and human service agencies. The Study
recommended the County government take a lead role in long-term coordination by forming a
permanent committee -the Schuyler Transportation Coordination Committee -to bring together
key stakeholders to partner in coordinating efforts. Ultimately, the County makes the decisions
regarding the public transit services and/or coordination involving funding controlled by the
County.
A Schuyler County Coordinated Human Services Transportation Committee was formed to carry
out the work outlined in the 2007 Plan. The committee represents human service agencies,
governmental departments that provide human services, the public transit provider, and County
officials. To further clarify the committee’s objectives, a purpose statement was developed and
approved by the Committee in April 2011. It states the following:
“Affordable transportation for human service agencies, their clients, and the public at large is
a necessity for people to enjoy a decent quality of life within a community. Some
agencies transport clients with their own vehicles. Others purchase transportation services or
counsel clients on how to use transportation services. We have a number of transportation
services and providers in our community. Further, we have public policy direction to use public
15
funds in a more efficient and productive manner, especially in a time of fiscal distress. We are
all looking to save money, increase productivity, and provide access to critical services. On
August 16, 2010 Schuyler County initiated a public transit system.
The coordinated planning process is not only a good idea, it's a requirement of the Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) to apply for grants through the Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of
Seniors and & Individuals with Disabilities and the former Section 5316 Job Access & Reverse
Commute and Section 5317 New Freedom Programs. Further, the Federal and State governments
promote innovative community transportation services through the United-We-Ride initiative.
If your agency purchases transportation (bus passes or taxi rides), transports clients, provides
information, provides services for seniors, low income or individuals with disabilities, or
manages federal funds which could be used to support transportation services, then you should
participate in coordinated transportation planning.
All human service agencies, local governments and providers of transportation services are
invited to participate on the Coordinated Human Services Transportation Committee. Meetings
will be open to the public. We need your ideas, energy and criticism to improve our work.”
In 2011, it was determined that the 2007 Transportation Plan should be updated to reflect the County’s
transportation accomplishments and future objectives. A subcommittee of the Schuyler County
Coordinated Human Services Transportation Committee formed to review and update the 2007 Plan.
Subcommittee members consisted of representatives from Schuyler County Transit, the County’s
Mobility Manager, The Arc of Schuyler, and the Community Development Educator from Cornell
Cooperative Extension. It was agreed that a draft update of the Plan would be presented to the Schuyler
County Coordinated Human Services Transportation Committee and for its review and approval. The
final plan would be approved by Schuyler County and submitted to NYSDOT to assure the plan
addresses requirements of the Federal SAFETEA-LU mandate.
In 2014, it was determined that since the Federal SAFETEA-LU mandate was expired and replaced with
the new transportation law, MAP-21, the plan should again be revised to reflect the changes to
transportation law and policy. MAP-21 consolidated funding streams and changed some requirements.
5316 Job Access Reverse Commute funding was eliminated and its ‘reserved’ funds were consolidated
into the 5311 rural formula funds and 5307 Urban formula funds. 5317 New Freedom has been
eliminated and combined with Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and People with Disabilities, section 5310.
Recipients of 5310 funding which is administered by NYSDOT in rural areas, must certify that projects
selected were included in this Coordinated Transportation Plan. Therefore to allow for flexibility and
changing community transportation needs, The Public Transit, Human Services Coordinated
Transportation Meeting Committee minutes will be included as an Appendix to this plan.
Strategies, Activities and or projects to address unmet needs or services: Coordination Issues and
Opportunities Identified:
1. Fixed Route Service: As of August 2010, public transit services are limited to fixed routes
connecting the villages of Watkins Glen, Montour Falls, Burdett and Odessa, and a limited
schedule Dial-a-Ride service for outlying area rural residents. The coordination of public
transit services with the human service agencies serving County residents is at a starting
point. Coordination efforts on transportation among the human service agencies have
16
commenced. Agencies are continuing to look for ways to achieve efficiencies and cost
savings. The County has stepped up to take a lead role in transportation decisions, although is
also limited in any additional funding it can allocate to meet transportation needs. Additional
services and coordination efforts will have to be economical for the County. Additional cost
sharing partners are needed as new business models are created as a result of the changes in
Department of Health’s change in non-emergency medical transportation.
2. Regional Transportation: A seven county regional transportation study, which includes
Schuyler County, was completed. Results of this study helped identify other possible
regional transportation needs and opportunities. The results of the study made several
recommendations. One of the recommendations was to virtually connect all transportation
resources throughout the seven county area, a focus of making connections and branding a
regional transportation system as well as the development of a Regional Mobility Manager
whose purpose is to champion, drive and facilitate these and other regional projects. In the
spring of 2014, TIGER grant funding, a federal highly competitive funding source was
applied for, but was not awarded. Additional opportunities will be researched as
employment opportunities may exist with the proposed Seneca County casino.
3. Transit Hours of Operation: Although needs have been identified for additional hours and
days, funding continues to be an issue. It is possible that tourists and local needs could be
met with new cost sharing partners.
4. Rural Transportation: Dial-A-Ride services which were created to meet the needs of the rural
population were reduced in August of 2014. This was a direct result of the removal of Non-
emergency medical transportation from local Department of Social Services and it had a
drastic impact on many transit systems across rural, Upstate NY. Schuyler was no exception
and it was only through additional cooperation and partnerships that transit continues to exist
within Schuyler County. Although the partnership with The Arc of Schuyler and the opening
of some of its previously user exclusive transportation to the public helped to decrease the
transit deficit caused by Department of Health, additional partners and a new cost-sharing
mix must be developed for the system to be sustainable. This partnership did address some
rural needs as the routes created were rural connections within the eastern part of the county.
5. Hospital Affiliations: Although additional transportation projects have been identified, the
group seeks to involve other human service providers in Schuyler County that may provide
client transportation but are not currently involved in the County’s transportation
coordination activities. This may include but not be limited to the Seneca View Skilled
Nursing Facility, Schuyler Hospital, and The Falls Home.
6. Human Service Transportation Coordination Opportunities: It should be noted that active
participation in coordination efforts by The Arc of Schuyler and County Department of Social
Services has been critical to increasing coordination and improving and increasing
transportation services. Additional opportunities for cost sharing between human services
agencies and the public transit system should be pursued where feasible.
7. School Transportation: The Head Start Program Director has ceased direct operation of
transportation services and is now purchasing services from a private carrier and the Watkins
Glen Central School District. Regulatory restrictions on the transport of children to/from
educational settings creates additional challenges to coordination efforts. Coordination efforts
continue to address summer programs and student work programs as well as after school
activities.
8. Tourist Transportation: Activities to address tourist transportation may be involvement in the
Chamber’s Tourist subcommittee. Currently the Arc of Schuyler’s Director of Public
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Relations participates in this committee. As potential projects are identified, they will be
addressed with the Coordinated Committee Meeting minutes.
9. “One Stop” Transportation Information Center: The Veteran’s grant will be used to help the
County’s mobility management program work more efficiently. An improved software
infrastructure could benefit all residents seeking information and referral in the future. The
coordination of transportation will help identify other potential partners as well as areas for
additional coordinated services. Future projects to include data collection identifying if
funding for additional hours and services are needed. These will be identified through
Coordinated Committee meeting minutes. More education and outreach regarding
transportation options is needed to reach those in need who are unfamiliar with what their
transportation choices are. Agencies can work together to identify creative solutions that
would expand available services and educate their respective publics on how to use services
available.
10. Veteran Transportation: Funding for continued outreach to the Veteran population is needed
as well as financial support for the development of a Rideshare program to assist Veterans in
getting to their group appointments at the Bath, VA. The Tri-County Mobility Managers of
Schuyler-Chemung and Steuben counties continue to meet with the Mobility Manager from
the Bath, VAMC and other representatives of the VA to address this need.
11. Coordination Software: This software has proven very valuable in the coordination of rides
and additional opportunities to maximize its usage will be researched. It should be noted that
the use of tablets would increase the efficiency of the software. As future funding
opportunities are presented, tablets for transit service should be considered. Funding to
increase the software’s capacity is needed.
12. Regional Medical Center Transportation: Projects have yet to be identified for this unmet
need, but through Mobility Management efforts, collaborative projects will be investigated.
The Mobility Manager’s role in this endeavor is critical as the Mobility Manager champions
many regional efforts and provides the persistent coordination pieces necessary for
successful project management and completion.
13. Volunteer Recruitment: Although the need has been identified, additional funding has not yet
been identified to assist with these efforts. As specific funding and projects are identified, it
will be added to the Coordinated Transportation Committee meeting minutes.
14. Ithaca Transportation: The employment piece of this need seems best provided by the
existing vanpools administered through TCAT. The Medical needs and recreational trips
may be investigated as funding is available. Specific projects to be identified through the
Coordinated Transportation Committee.
15. Employment Transportation and Partnerships: Local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBS)
have information regarding employment-related transportation issues in their community. They
have regional labor market information; local workforce and business trends, including business
closings, openings, and expansions; worker mobility gaps, such as challenges experienced by
persons with disabilities and those earning low wages; business-identified transportation needs;
and locations of training sites for new and dislocated workers, along with needed transportation
connections. They are in a strategic position to identify cross-jurisdiction commuting patterns
and suggest options for creative transportation solutions. They can also assist in finding regional
partners for various projects as well as provide in-kind support for Federal transportation grants
by facilitating planning efforts on specific projects. Many also have “navigators” for regional
One-Stop Career Centers that could expand capacity to provide transportation linkages for their
customers. The opening of a new casino in Seneca County offers new employment opportunities
for Schuyler County and a transit related route should be considered.
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16. Delivery of Medicaid Services: NYS is reforming the delivery of Medicaid services. DSRIP
(Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program) grants were awarded in 2014 to hospital
based networks of community providers for the purpose of reducing hospital admissions and
readmissions. This requires a more coordinated effort arranging primary care and community
based providers including the need for coordinated transportation services.
VI. Priorities for Implementation
The County has taken an active role in making decisions involving potential increases in public transit
services in conjunction with better coordination of human service agency transportation. The County’s
involvement is necessary due to the nature of public transit funding and human service agency funding
of transportation provided by County agencies (e.g.; Department of Social Services). As noted in the
Partnerships section above, the County through its Legislature and County Administrator acts on
implementation decisions.
The following needs identified in the 2007 Needs Assessment Study have been addressed:
Implement new flexibly scheduled small bus services linking the rural townships of Schuyler
County with destinations and regional transit services available in Watkins Glen and Montour
Falls.
Discontinuation of funding of the Cornell University commuter services due to low ridership and
cost of local share subsidy.
Priority identified in the 2007 Study that need further consideration:
Expand and improve regional transit connectivity between Schuyler, Chemung and Steuben
County
The Plan update identified other priority transportation needs:
As resources are identified, Park and Ride sites would address both future regional transit
connectivity and/or seasonal in town tourist focused transportation routes.
Outreach to and better coordination of transportation services for Veterans and their families for
purposes of access to medical appointments, facilities in the community to enhance community
living alternatives, and for employment.
As new business models are developed due to the changes from the Department of Health non-
emergency medical transportation, research into regional transportation options for access to
specialty/ regional medical centers located in surrounding cities should be considered a priority.
This service should be designed to serve the non-Medicaid as well as the Medicaid populations.
Further study and identification of coordination possibilities with area hospital and skilled
nursing facilities. The Schuyler County Office for the Aging, Seneca View Skilled Nursing
Facility, Schuyler Hospital and The Falls Home as well as the needs of dialysis patients should
be considered for coordinated transportation.
Expanded service, hours and days of transit will require pursuit of cost sharing arrangements
with public transit and area agencies for the purpose of expanding client and public transit
services.
Procurement of replacement busses for The Arc of Schuyler through the 5310 program, using the
available services to supplement/supplant other human services transportation being provided.
As the release of the 5310 applications has been slow, The Arc has had to spend additional funds
19
to maintain an aging fleet and has decided to make some non-grant purchased vehicles in order
to maintain a safe, reliable fleet. Although the additional 5310 vehicles will needed.
Expand the Dial-a-Ride service or seek affordable solutions to the rural transportation needs.
The Arc of Schuyler has requested a waiver from Department of Transportation to utilize
smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles for the use of Dial-A-Ride or other services, primarily in
rural areas that would it would make sense to utilize smaller vehicles. It is understood that any
size vehicle may be purchased through federal 5310 applications.
Open The Arc of Schuyler bus runs to the public, where feasible. – 2014 several bus routes were
opened to the public, including a regional route to Corning.
Procurement of reservation software to be used to coordinate multiple operators to move closer
to a One Stop/One Click Transportation Call Center – 2014 RouteMatch Software was purchased
and in July, 2014 the Transportation Call Center and Mobility Management Program began
accepting calls for multiple agencies and coordinating rides for multiple services.
Develop a pilot program to meet rural resident needs and explore a Ride Share program for
employment. -2014 Mobility Management Services are shared with Chemung County and the
Mobility Manager is promoting the use of a new pilot program, SouthernTierRideshare.com
developed and operated through NYDOT 5-1-1- system. This system will also be accessible to
Schuyler residents.
Continue to involve the Local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) for purposes of information
sharing and to assist with planning regarding projects designed to address employment-related
transportation issues regionally and in their community.
Implement increased mobility services including travel training for seniors and people with
disabilities for employment, medical and other trips.
Introduce the benefits of public transit within the school systems.
Consider possible public transit outreach efforts to assist the local tourist industry. This might
include developing an affordable, seasonal transportation service geared toward meeting the
growing, unmet tourist transportation needs. There are more detailed specific recommendations
for service changes and expansions provided in the 2007 Schuyler County Needs Assessment
Final Report that will not be repeated here related to this area.
Participation in the seven county regional transportation study should occur to provide input and
help identify regional needs and opportunities - This study concluded in 2013, but a regional
group, led in part by Mobility Managers, continues to work toward finding regional solutions to
unmet transportation needs.
Opportunities to partner with Performing Provider Services (PPS’s) that are forming regionally
throughout NY to better coordinate a community based health system through Medicaid
Redesign Efforts.
Continued funding for the Mobility Manager, Mobility Management Coordinator and Mobility
Management program to facilitate and continue the work of all of the above priorities.
Critical to the success of these planning efforts, the 2007 Schuyler County Needs Assessment report, the
2011 Plan update and this 2014 updated Plan recommend the Schuyler County Coordinated Human
Services Transportation Committee continue to meet and include at least the following seven members:
the County Department of Health Services, the County Department of Social Services, the County
Office for Aging, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, The Arc of Schuyler, Head Start, the Veterans
Service Agency and a consumer representative. Mobility Management facilitates this group and acts as
the liaison between many of the individual group needs. Mobility Management is a critical link between
planning, facilitating and completing the coordination of transportation services.
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VII. Achievable Benefits
The potential achievable benefits include, but are not limited to:
Meeting some of the transportation needs for the general population in the County through a
fixed route system.
Increased regional services made possible through cost sharing arrangements between the public
transit system and area agencies and with additional State Transportation Operational Assistance.
Increase public Dial a Ride services to the more rural areas in the County to serve more residents
within a larger area.
Increased services, while limiting County funding increases, by leveraging Federal and State
funding resources.
Through vehicle-coordinated use, service increases can occur with limited need for increasing
vehicles, resulting in savings for human service agencies.
A seasonal service could encourage tourism and increase economic activity, while limiting
overall traffic congestion in downtown Watkins Glen.
Establishment of a regional transit service, with branding and marketing of a public identity with
central communications and dispatching can increase ridership and decrease unmet
transportation needs.
Software to make operation of a One Stop/One Click Transportation Call Center more efficient
and allow more residents and agencies to make use of a coordinated transportation system.
Attachments:
Appendix A- Human Service Agency Client Transportation Revenue Vehicle Inventory
Appendix B - 2015 Coordinated Transportation Meeting Minutes
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APPENDIX A
2014 Human Service Agency Client Transportation Revenue Vehicle Inventory
Agency Operator
Model
Year Vehicle Type
Seating
Capacity
Estimated
Odometer
Miles
Vehicle
Condition
Lift/Ramp
Equipped
Grant
Funded
Arc of Schuyler 2008 Bus 18 89000 Fair Yes Yes
2008 Bus 18 125000 Fair Yes Yes
2009 Bus 18 76000 Good Yes Yes
2009 Bus 18 84000 Good Yes Yes
2005 Bus 18 105000 Fair Yes Yes
2011 Bus 18 25000 Good Yes Yes
2007 Bus 18 96000 Good Yes Yes
2010 Transit Bus 18 92000 Good Yes Yes
2010 Transit Bus 18 85000 Fair Yes Yes
2010 Transit Bus 18 103000 Fair Yes Yes
2013 Transit Bus 18 18000 Good Yes Yes
2013 Transit Bus 18 19000 Good Yes Yes
2010 Mini-Van 6 Good No No
2010 Mini-Van 6 Good No No
2010 Mini-Van 6 Good No No
2006 Mini-Van 6 Fair No No
Department of Social
Services 5 vehicles for Adult/Child Services only
Head Start 2013 Van 7 5000 excellent no yes
2004 Van 7 50,000 good no yes
Office for the Aging 2006 Ford Passenger Van 11 125,500 Good No Yes
2008 Dodge SUV 7 90,000 Excellent No Yes
2009 Dodge Passenger Van 6 36,000 Excellent No Yes
Rainbow Chasers 2005 Dodge 7 Fair No
through
OMH
2005 Ford 12 Fair No
through
OMH
RSVP N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Schuyler County
Mental Health 2002 Chrysler Voyager 6 No No
2004
Chrysler Town and
Country 4 No No
2005 Chrysler Van 6 No No
2008 Ford Taurus 4 No No
Veterans Service
Agency N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A