ATTENTION CENTRO CUSTOMERS

Due to an asbestos situation at Utica City Hall, Centro has moved its public hearing on a proposed fare increase scheduled to be held today at City Hall from 4-7pm, to the Radisson Hotel Conference Center in Utica from 4-7pm.

Centro will provide bus service from City Hall to the Radisson Hotel for individuals who may be unaware of the change. Centro will also provide bus service following the Public Hearing for individuals who need transportation.

We apologize for this inconvenience.

PUBLIC HEARING TRANSPORTATION NOTICE:
Centro will have buses available after each public hearing to accommodate those who wish to attend the hearing.

To our Valued Customers:

Needless to say, the news about the economy has not been good lately. Nearly everyone has been affected…and Centro is no different.  Due to reductions in assistance from New York State and a drastic decline in our Mortgage Recording Tax revenues, we are currently facing a $5.1 million dollar deficit for the upcoming fiscal year that begins April 1, 2009. We must find ways to close that gap.

We have identified a number of possible actions which, in combination, can balance our budget.
They include:
           

• Reallocation of a limited amount of funds previously targeted for capital projects to pay for ongoing operations.
• The use of reserve “rainy day” funds
• Centro’s first fare increase in 14 years in Onondaga, Cayuga and Oswego counties
• To a maximum of $1.50 adult one-way fare in Syracuse and Utica
• To a maximum of $1.00 adult one-way fare in Oswego, Fulton, Rome and Auburn
• The elimination or reduction of selected underutilized routes in Onondaga and Cayuga counties.  We have indentified the following six routes for consideration:             
  

                        250/350 Hancock Airport / Airpark
                        70/170 Oak-Darlington
                        78/178 Fairmount / West Genesee
                        72/172 East Colvin
            Auburn direct service to New Process Gear

Is there any positive news? Certainly if ridership continues to increase in 2009 like it has for the past 7 years, those increased revenues will be very helpful in reducing future deficits.

We are hopeful that the federal government’s Economic Stimulus Package will provide some relief to our budget situation and allow us to shield our riders from the full impact of our budget shortfall by reducing the size of any necessary fare increase.

We will be meeting with elected state representatives from our four-county area in the coming weeks to discuss the situation.  If the federal stimulus bill provides some relief for the New York State budget in the areas of education and Medicaid costs, we would ask the state to consider restoring some of the proposed transit funding cut.
 
Like everyone, we are waiting for decisions to be made in Washington and Albany. However, we wanted you to know about the current situation we are facing, and what actions we may have to take.  We promise to keep you informed of any developments.

Frank Kobliski
Executive Director

Centro Proposes Fare Increase and Service Reductions
to Offset Budget Deficit
Fare increase would be first in more than 14 years

Syracuse, New York – Rising operating costs and a reduction in two primary revenue sources are forcing the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority to consider a fare increase for the first time since February of 1995.

Under the proposal, fares may increase in each of the four counties where Centro provides bus service: Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida and Oswego. Service reductions may be made on underutilized bus routes in Onondaga and Cayuga counties.

Effective May 4, 2009, the one-way adult base fare is likely to increase.  In Syracuse and Utica the fare may increase to as much as $1.50; and in the cities of Auburn, Rome, Oswego and Fulton to as much as $1.00.
Depending on decisions to be made in Washington, lesser fare increases may be possible. The federal government’s Economic Stimulus Package may provide some relief to the Authority’s budget deficit, thus reducing the size of any necessary fare increase.

In Syracuse, Centro may also shorten its hours of weeknight operation by one hour, to match its existing weekend hours of operation.

The Authority is facing a $5.1 million budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2009 due to a reduction in operating assistance as part of the proposed 2009-2010 New York State budget and from a decline in Mortgage Recording Tax revenues, the latter of which provides funding for each upstate transportation system.

“We will be meeting with elected state representatives from the four-county area next month to discuss the situation.  If the federal stimulus bill provides some relief for the New York State budget in education and Medicaid costs, we would ask the state to consider restoring some of the proposed funding cut,” said Centro Executive Director Frank Kobliski.
“This comes at a time when demand for public transportation is reaching record levels in the history of Centro,” said Kobliski. “We are hopeful that the economic stimulus package proposed by President Obama will provide additional funding for our transit authority, allowing us to lessen the fare increase and perhaps save some service.”

“We’ve been able to hold fares steady for the past 14 years. However, we’ve now reached the point where the rising costs of fuel, bus parts and other items necessary to keep our buses running have us running out of options,” Kobliski continued. “Had it not been for the reduction in state operating assistance and decline in Mortgage Recording Tax revenues, we would have been able to continue with our current fares and level of service.”
In addition to the proposed increases in base fares, Centro would still offer half-price fares for seniors, persons with disabilities and children between the ages of 6-9. The base fares for Call-A-Bus could increase to $1.75 in Syracuse and Onondaga County, and to $1.50 in Auburn, Fulton and Oswego. Call-A-Bus base fares in Utica and Rome would remain the same - $2.00 in Utica and $1.50 in Rome.

Proposed Fare Increase and Route changes effective May 4, 2009

Centro is also considering service reductions on the following bus routes:
In Syracuse:

1. 723 Suburban East
2. 250/350 Hancock Airport / Hancock Airpark
3. 78/178  Fairmount / West Genesee
4. 70/170  Oak Darlington
5. 72/172  East Colvin

 
In Auburn:

1. Auburn direct service to New Process Gear

No significant service reductions are being considered in the cities of Oswego, Fulton, Utica or Rome. Centro will continue to offer debit cards and multi-ride discount passes for its customers. The exact costs of these fare media will be determined at a later date.
In order for the Authority to gauge public sentiment, and for the Authority to weigh all alternatives to reduce its budget deficit.

Centro Proposes Fare Increase and Service Reductions
to Offset Budget Deficit
Fare increase would be first in more than 14 years

Syracuse, New York – Rising operating costs and a reduction in two primary revenue sources are forcing the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority to consider a fare increase for the first time since February of 1995.

Under the proposal, fares may increase in each of the four counties where Centro provides bus service: Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida and Oswego. Service reductions may be made on underutilized bus routes in Onondaga and Cayuga counties.

Effective May 4, 2009, the one-way adult base fare is likely to increase.  In Syracuse and Utica the fare may increase to as much as $1.50; and in the cities of Auburn, Rome, Oswego and Fulton to as much as $1.00.
Depending on decisions to be made in Washington, lesser fare increases may be possible. The federal government’s Economic Stimulus Package may provide some relief to the Authority’s budget deficit, thus reducing the size of any necessary fare increase.

In Syracuse, Centro may also shorten its hours of weeknight operation by one hour, to match its existing weekend hours of operation.

The Authority is facing a $5.1 million budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2009 due to a reduction in operating assistance as part of the proposed 2009-2010 New York State budget and from a decline in Mortgage Recording Tax revenues, the latter of which provides funding for each upstate transportation system.

“We will be meeting with elected state representatives from the four-county area next month to discuss the situation.  If the federal stimulus bill provides some relief for the New York State budget in education and Medicaid costs, we would ask the state to consider restoring some of the proposed funding cut,” said Centro Executive Director Frank Kobliski.
“This comes at a time when demand for public transportation is reaching record levels in the history of Centro,” said Kobliski. “We are hopeful that the economic stimulus package proposed by President Obama will provide additional funding for our transit authority, allowing us to lessen the fare increase and perhaps save some service.”

“We’ve been able to hold fares steady for the past 14 years. However, we’ve now reached the point where the rising costs of fuel, bus parts and other items necessary to keep our buses running have us running out of options,” Kobliski continued. “Had it not been for the reduction in state operating assistance and decline in Mortgage Recording Tax revenues, we would have been able to continue with our current fares and level of service.”
In addition to the proposed increases in base fares, Centro would still offer half-price fares for seniors, persons with disabilities and children between the ages of 6-9. The fares for Call-A-Bus could increase to $1.75 in Syracuse and Onondaga County, and to $1.50 in Auburn, Fulton and Oswego. Call-A-Bus fares in Utica and Rome would remain the same - $2.00 in Utica and $1.50 in Rome.

Proposed Fare Increase and Route changes effective May 4, 2009

Centro is also considering service reductions on the following bus routes:
In Syracuse:

1. 723 Suburban East
2. 250/350 Hancock Airport / Hancock Airpark
3. 78/178  Fairmount / West Genesee
4. 70/170  Oak Darlington
5. 72/172  East Colvin

 
In Auburn:

1. Auburn direct service to New Process Gear

No significant service reductions are being considered in the cities of Oswego, Fulton, Utica or Rome. Centro will continue to offer debit cards and multi-ride discount passes for its customers. The exact costs of these fare media will be determined at a later date.
In order for the Authority to gauge public sentiment, and for the Authority to weigh all alternatives to reduce its budget deficit, public hearings will be held at the following times and locations:

February 17, 2009   Fulton Municipal Building          5:00p -8:00p
February 18, 2009   Oswego County Legislature Chamber  4:00p-7:00p
February 19, 2009   Edward Boyle Center – Auburn  4:30p-7:30p
February 24, 2009   Rome City Common Council    4:00p-7:00p
February 25, 2009   Curtin Auditorium, Onondaga County
                            Public Library – Syracuse         4:00p-7:00p
February 26, 2009  Utica City Common Council     4:00p-7:00p