Regional Transit Service (RTS) today announced the bus pass credit policy for customers unable to take bus trips due to the Coronavirus. If a customer recently purchased a Five Consecutive Day or 31-Day bus pass, and because of the Coronavirus are not able to complete their intended trips, this policy makes it possible for customers to get a credit that can be used for future trips.

Starting Friday, March 20, we will temporarily waive the requirement that customers pay a fare to ride the bus. The waiving of fares will be in place at least through Sunday, April 19, 2020 or until the current State of Emergency is lifted, whichever comes first. Customers will now use the rear door to enter and exit 40- or 60-foot buses. Customers with mobility limitations who need to use the ramp to board the bus will still be able to do so through the front door by signaling the bus operator.

 Following State of Emergency declarations this weekend in every county RTS serves, and confirmation of the second case of Coronavirus in Monroe County, RTS released the following information today.

Regional Transit Service CEO Bill Carpenter, who is also president of the New York Public Transportation Association (NYPTA), testified during yesterday’s Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Transportation.

The New York Public Transit Association announced its support on Wednesday for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan to create a task force that will develop a plan for five of the largest upstate and suburban transit systems to electrify 25 percent of their bus fleets by 2025 and 100 percent by 2035. The Governor’s initiative is a linchpin to the $1.7 billion five-year capital program for statewide public transit systems, which NYPTA supports as part of the 2020-2021 State Budget.

At their meeting today, the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the final plan for the Reimagine RTS transit system redesign. The target date for the launch of the reimagined transit system is June 29, 2020.

At a press conference today at the RTS Transit Center, RTS CEO Bill Carpenter announced that RTS’s final recommendation for the Reimagine RTS system redesign will include a new fare structure for military veterans, senior citizens who are 65 and older, and people with disabilities. If the RGRTA Board of Commissioners approves the Reimagine RTS plan, senior citizens 65+ and people with disabilities would pay a half-price fare ($0.50 a ride) all day, and military veterans will ride free.

Statement from Bill Carpenter, President of the New York Public Transit Association and Chief Executive Officer of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, on Budget Agreement

Regional Transit Service (RTS) CEO Bill Carpenter today testified at a joint public hearing in Syracuse on the transformation taking place in public transportation and the need for more funding. The joint public hearing was held by: the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities & Commissions; the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Transportation, and; the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation.

Two members of the Regional Transit Service (RTS) team today testified at a joint public hearing in Buffalo on the importance of public transportation in rural communities and the significant impact increased funding will have on rural economies. Representing RTS at the hearing was Kelly Fitzpatrick, the Regional Manager for RTS Livingston and RTS Wyoming, and Aimee Rader; the Operations Manager for RTS Wyoming. The joint public hearing was held by the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities & Commissions, the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Transportation, and the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation.