Transportation Matters
A publication of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority
March/April 2010

Centro unveils plans for future Transfer Hub

Centro has unveiled plans for its future Transfer Hub to be located at the corner of South Salina, Warren and Adams Streets.  The design features and enclosed climate-controlled waiting area, 22 route-specific bus bays that will make transferring between buses easier for customers, electronic LED displays that will indicate the route and departure time of the next bus, and a bus loading area that will be weather-protected.

The new facility will serve mainly as a transfer location.  Centro will continue provide service to the Central Business District in downtown Syracuse and all of its major employers.

Construction is set to begin in Fall 2010 with completion scheduled for Fall 2011. 

The design team includes Centro, QPK Design, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Robson Woese Inc., and Fisher Associates.

Click here for Images of the projected Transfer Hub.

Centro Implements Service Changes March 1st

New service changes are now in effect.  These service changes were previously proposed in May 2009, but had been deferred.  Further reductions in funding from New York State since May have forced Centro to implement these service changes at this time.  The following bus routes will be affected:

Click Here for Route Changes

Centro Announces Alert Message System is Live

Customers wishing to receive message alerts regarding their bus service can now do so by simply signing up for the free* service.  Centro is phasing in the new technology that currently provides updates to users about Snow Route information and will soon have information regarding detours and delays. 

Riders can choose the times they would like to be notified as well as if they would like the messages sent to their email addresses, cellular devices, or both. 

To sign up for Centro Alerts, follow this link: http://www.centro.org/CustomerCare/Default.aspx

*Regular text messaging rates do apply

New Buses Arrive

Several new ORION VII transit buses built by Diamler Buses North America in Oriskany, N.Y. have recently made their debut on the streets of Syracuse.  These compressed natural gas, 40-foot, low floor vehicles  were purchased with 100% Federal Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).    

A total of 18 new ORION VII’s have been ordered and each will be equipped with the new Lift-U ramp for easier boarding and un-boarding of mobility devices. 

St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Common Center Relocation

On Saturday, March 13, 2010 Centro will be relocating the bus transfer area, known as Common Center from the intersection of Fayette and Salina, to East Fayette and State Streets from 11:00am to 5pm.  Customers need to plan on boarding and alighting buses at the new location during the parade.  To locate which corner buses will be located, customers can contact Centro at 315-442-3400 or seek out a Centro supervisor at the temporary transfer location.