The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CNYRTA) was named by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) as the 2006 Best Public Transit System in North America among systems providing between 4 and 30 million rides annually. Transit systems are considered for this prestigious award based on their performance in safety, operations, customer service, financial management, employee costs, minority and women advancement, marketing, policy and administration, and community relations.

     The CNYRTA was specifically praised by APTA for its exemplary fiscal management, commitment to the community and its ability to grow ridership over a three year period.

     Among the CNYRTA’s achievements in 2005:

• Expanding its service territory by 33% and increasing ridership by 11% when it took over troubled transit systems in Utica and Rome. Over a period of 18 months, the CNYRTA refurbished those transit fleets, improved facilities, and stabilized transit operations in those communities. 
• Earning a “United We Ride Leadership Award” for its Call-A-Bus and Rides for Work accessible transportation services for the disabled and those seeking work. One of just 5 transit systems in America to do so.

• Increasing ridership in Auburn, NY by 28% after restructuring its route services and introducing a new fleet of buses
• Earning a perfect score, 23 for 23, in all areas of compliance in its Triennial Review by the Federal Transit Administration
• Being praised by the New York State Comptroller following an extensive audit of the Authority’s fiscal management practices.  The Comptroller's press release recognized the Authority for having developed “a system of oversight and ethics above and beyond state requirements, and should serve as an example for other state authorities.”

     In congratulating the CNYRTA on the award, New York Governor George Pataki recognized staff members and Board “for their commitment to providing Central New York residents with a high quality transportation system” and added that “we look forward to building on this important achievement”.

     “We’ve had an unbelievable year” said CNYRTA Executive Director Frank Kobliski.  “My hat is off to all of our employees who really stepped up to meet all challenges.  This is the transit industry’s equivalent to winning the Super Bowl.”

     The Authority’s Centro bus operations are now in the fourth year of an upward trend in ridership -- a significant achievement given the stagnant economy in Central New York. 

     “Fuel prices have certainly played a part in recent increases, but we saw ridership growth both prior to the fuel price increases and after those fuel prices eased,” said Kobliski.

     The Authority’s bus services are also vital to several community events, including the New York State Fair, Harborfest in Oswego, the Boilermaker run in Utica, the Jazzfest in Syracuse and all events that take place in Syracuse’s signature venue, the Carrier Dome.

     The CNYRTA is also continuing its commitment to improving the environment.  It currently operates 120 clean air, compressed natural gas buses and plans to add state of the art diesel-electric hybrid technology to its fleet in the coming months.

     The CNYRTA officially received the award at APTA’s Annual Meeting in October. It’s the second time the CNYRTA has won the award, having also garnered first place in 1983.