TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. –– As the summer weather continues to heat up, Tompkins County Area Transit is reactivating their summer route 22 to bring travelers to area parks and help Ithacans enjoy the outdoors.
Starting July 22, the new route will run Wednesday through Saturday starting at 9 a.m. and will end in late afternoon.
The bus route travels to and from the Ithaca Commons and Taughannock State Park, serving northwest destinations including the Ithaca Children’s Garden and Cass Park. In the city’s northeast, the route will travel between Stewart Park and the Commons, stopping at Ithaca High School and the Fall Creek area. Afternoon trips will serve the recently opened Alex Haley Pool at GIAC with a stop nearby at Albany @ Court.
Route 22 typically runs every summer service period, which this year started on May 24. However, because of low ridership due to pandemic-related cancellations of summer camps and activities, TCAT chose not to run the route this season.
Now, TCAT has decided to reinstitute the route in light of a new program for families called “Explore the Waterfront,” created by representatives from the Ithaca Children’s Garden, Discover Cayuga Lake, Paddle-n-More and Sciencenter that begins Wed., July 22. Find out more about the program here.
Route 22 is scheduled to run through Sat., Aug. 15. Please check TCAT’s Bus Tracker and/or via MyStop and other apps for all updates.
As a reminder, all TCAT service is fare-free through Sat., Sept. 5. Also note, to ensure passenger and driver safety TCAT requires riders to wear masks or face coverings on the bus and is also continuing a number of safety protocols to protect riders during the coronavirus pandemic.