TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. – TCAT has adjusted service on a majority of its bus routes for the winter/spring season. As the new schedule takes effect Sunday, Jan. 20, riders should be aware of minor changes to routes and timing.
In a media release, TCAT said the changes are based on analysis of ridership data and customer feedback. Trips have been added to routes serving the Cornell campus, South Hill Business Park and the Shops at Ithaca Mall, for example, due to high demand.
For riders planning to use TCAT service this weekend, Martin Luther King Jr. Day will not impact service but weather might. Check TCAT’s bus tracker for real-time updates and information about snow detours.
A full list of winter/spring service changes is below and is available on TCAT’s website.
Route 10: from 7 a.m. through 10 a.m. will use Stewart Ave., instead of College Ave., to travel from Cornell campus to downtown. The shortened route to downtown will impact very few riders as most are heading uphill toward campus during that time period, according to ridership data. However, those needing to travel from College Ave. to downtown always have the option to use the high-frequency Route 30. The realignment will also increase frequency by a minute to every 5 minutes and alleviate crowding on campus-bound buses.
Route 11: will now also serve South Hill Business Park, College Circle Apartments and Longview stops on all trips or every half hour instead of hourly. This half-hour service period for all stops extends all day through early night with last outbound trip starting at 8:28 p.m. from Seneca St. Station and last inbound trip starting at 9 p.m. from College Circle Apartments.
- After 9 p.m. on Mondays through Wednesdays, service frequency will be reduced to run every hour instead of every half hour. This is based on to lower demand.
- The late night Route 11 will use Hudson St. to Hillview Pl. to Aurora St. both directions (as opposed to traveling South Hill via NYS 96B to downtown). This will be more convenient and faster for those wanting to travel within the South Hill area only.
Route 13: Outbound from Shops at Ithaca Mall will stop at Stewart Park by demand only, meaning that passengers will need to alert the bus driver if they want to exit there. Inbound route will serve Stewart Park stop as usual.
- The second outbound trip or so-called “school tripper” will leave Seneca St. Station 14 minutes earlier at 8:22 a.m. and arrive at Ithaca High School at 8:31 a.m. to better accommodate school schedules and based on suggestions from school officials
- Please note the first outbound trip will be adjusted five minutes later starting from Seneca St. Station at 8:10 a.m.
Route 14: Minor timing adjustments.
Route 14S: Minor timing adjustments.
Route 17: Schedule adjusted to coordinate with timing of other routes.
Route 20: Minor timing adjustments.
Route 21: First inbound trip moved 5 minutes earlier to allow more time for transfers at the Commons. Based on customer feedback, additional outbound trips will now serve Juniper Manor on a demand-only basis. Also in response to rider requests, an additional mid-afternoon trip has been added at 2 p.m. outbound and 2:30 p.m. inbound on Saturdays.
Route 32: Friday-only late night trip adjusted to 25 minutes later to depart outbound at 11 p.m. from Green St. Station. Trip will end at Northwood Apts. 11:25 p.m. Inbound 10:25 p.m. trip from Northwood Apts. will serve all time points ending at Green St. Station at 10:55 p.m.
Route 36: Added 8:35 a.m. trip from Stewart Park to Cornell in response to rider feedback. Minor timing adjustments to address lateness.
Route 37: Minor timing adjustments to address lateness.
Route 43: Minor timing adjustments.
Route 51: Minor timing adjustments with bus departing one minute earlier at both Seneca St. Station and East Hill Plaza on weekdays.
Route 67: Timing adjustment to address lateness on 3rd outbound trip, which will depart 6 minutes earlier. Third inbound trip will depart 2 minutes earlier.
Route 70: Added 6:45 p.m. outbound trip from Green St. Station and 7:18 inbound trip from Shops at Ithaca Mall due to high demand. Timing adjusted on p.m. trips 1-2 two minutes later.
Route 77: Minor timing adjustments.
Route 82: Added two evening trips 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. outbound from A Lot and 7:20 p.m. and 7:50 p.m. inbound from East Hill Plaza, based on rider input.
Route 90: Minor timing adjustments with trips departing a few minutes earlier. Changes with interlining or “one-seat-rides” with Routes 11 for more consistency.
Route 93: Last trip will serve Eastern Heights and Honness lane all weekdays due to rider input.