Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc., usually referred to as TCAT, is a private, non-profit public transportation operator, created by Cornell University, Tompkins County, and the City of Ithaca to serve Tompkins County, New York. The vast majority of TCAT bus routes are based in the City of Ithaca and surrounding urban area. These routes serve Ithaca College, Cornell University, and Tompkins Cortland Community College. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 2,488,000, or about 8,000 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit
Founded1998 (1998)
Headquarters737 Willow Ave.42°27′12″N 76°30′20″W / 42.45333°N 76.50556°W / 42.45333; -76.50556
LocaleIthaca, New York
Service areaTompkins County, New York
Service typebus service, paratransit
Routes34 bus routes[1]
HubsCommons (Green St., Seneca St., Albany St.)
Cornell University
Ithaca Mall
Fleet54 vehicles[2]
Daily ridership8,000 (weekdays, Q2 2024)[3]
Annual ridership2,488,000 (2023)[4]
Fuel typeDiesel, Battery Electric
OperatorTCAT, Inc. (fixed routes)
GADABOUT (paratransit)
Websitetcatbus.com

As of 2019, TCAT operates 34 bus routes.[5] Door to door paratransit service is provided by GADABOUT Transportation Services, Inc.

History

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TCAT buses on Cornell's campus

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) was formed in 1998 by consolidating three public transit systems – Ithaca Transit (City of Ithaca), TOMTRAN (Tompkins County)[6] and CU Transit (Cornell University) into a single system. In the 1960s the City and Cornell established independent bus systems which expanded throughout the next two decades. Service was first extended to serve Ithaca's suburbs in the 1970s, and to rural towns beginning in 1982. In 1974, a transit service in Northeast Ithaca (Lansing, Cayuga Heights and the Town of Ithaca) was started by apartment owners contracting with Swarthout Coaches to operate limited service for Cornell students, and as the public demand for service increased, the apartment owners sought assistance from local governments and Cornell University, which became Northeast Transit in 1978.

Tompkins County became involved in supporting suburban routes and in developing rural transit service. The County formed TOMTRAN to extend fixed-route bus service to Dryden, Caroline and Newark Valley[7] in 1982, Groton (1983), Newfield and Ulysses (1985), and Lansing and Danby (1991). In 1999, TCAT initiated bus service to Enfield, the last unserved town in the county. In 1992, the city, Cornell and County built a $5 million transit facility to base transit operations and fleet maintenance including GADABOUT.[8] In 1996, the New York State Legislature adopted a state law authorizing that "the county of Tompkins, the city of Ithaca and Cornell University may jointly provide for mass transportation services in the county of Tompkins.",[9] and on April 1, 1998, the City of Ithaca, Cornell University and Tompkins County established TCAT as a joint venture (public entity) to operate public transit service in Tompkins County, service began in 1999, establishing a unified route and fare system.[10] TCAT re-organized itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, TCAT. Inc. in 2005 with representatives of City of Ithaca, Cornell University, and Tompkins County serving on its board of directors.

In 1976, a consortium of municipalities and human service agencies formed GADABOUT Transportation Services to address travel needs of seniors and people with disabilities and today operates the Federally mandated paratransit service for Tompkins County. Although GADABOUT did not join TCAT in 1998, the two companies are still closely related, with GADABOUT leasing space and maintenance services from TCAT.

Routes

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As of December 2019, thirty-six bus routes comprise the TCAT system.[11] Routes are identified by number and are usually indicated on a marquee at the front of the bus, and sometimes on the side as well. TCAT's main hub is Green Street Station, off of the Commons, a two-block pedestrian mall in downtown Ithaca. Most non South Hill routes run through the Cornell University campus; East Avenue and Tower Road near Uris and Statler Halls is considered a secondary hub.[12]

Urban and Suburban Services: Routes 10 to 17, Routes 30 to 32, Route 51, and Routes 70 to 77

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Downtown and West Hill
Route # Route Name Terminals Days of Service
Outbound Inbound
13 Fall Creek – Mall – Commons The Shops at Ithaca Mall

The Shops at Ithaca Mall

Ithaca Commons

Green St. @ Commons

Monday – Saturday
14 West Hill – Hospital – Commons Hospital

Cayuga Medical Center

Ithaca Commons

Green St. @ Commons

Everyday
14S West Hill – Shopping West Hill

Overlook Apts.

Walmart

Walmart

Everyday
15 Southside Shopper LOOP

Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – SouthsideTitus TowersWalMart

Titus TowersSouthsideIthaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons)]

Everyday
17 TCAT – Fall Creek – Commons TCAT

TCAT Garage

Ithaca Commons

Seneca St. @ Commons

Everyday

Irregular Service

Ithaca Commons

Green St. @ Commons

Cornell Vet School

ARR:Vet School

DEP:Boyce Thompson Institute

Hasbrouck Apartments

Hasbrouck Apts.

Note: Most TCAT bus routes serve the Downtown Ithaca Commons.

Rts. 20 and 21 also serve West Hill. Select Rt. 36 services also serve Fall Creek. See "Rural Routes" section.

Lower South Hill and Ithaca College
Route # Route Name Terminals Days of Service
Outbound Inbound
11 Ithaca College – Commons Ithaca College

College Circle Apts.

Ithaca Commons

Green St. @ Commons

Weekdays Only
11N Ithaca College – Commons – Collegetown Multi-Section Route

Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) – Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA)

Night Time Only
11S Ithaca College – Commons – Southside Shopping LOOP

Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) – Ithaca CommonsWalMart

Ithaca CommonsIthaca College (College Circle Apts.)

Everyday
Note: Rt. 65 also serves Lower South Hill and Ithaca College. See "Rural Routes" Section
East Hill, Collegetown, Cornell University, Cayuga Heights, the Mall, and Lansing Village
Route # Route Name Terminals Days of Service
Outbound Inbound
10 Cornell – Commons LOOP

Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Cornell West and Central CampusIthaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons)

Weekdays Only
30 Mall — Cornell — Commons The Shops at Ithaca Mall

The Shops at Ithaca Mall

Ithaca Commons

Seneca St. @ Commons

Everyday
31 Convenient Care – Cornell – Commons LOOP

Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Cornell Central CampusConvenient CareWinston CourtCornell Central CampusIthaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons)]

Weekdays Only
32 Airport – Cornell – Commons Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport

Airport

Ithaca Commons

ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons

DEP:Green St. @ Commons

Weekdays Only
Northwood Apartments

Northwood Apts.

51 Eastern Heights – Cornell – Commons LOOP

Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Tower Rd. (Cornell)East IthacaEastern Heights (Skyvue @ Snyder Hill) – East IthacaTower Rd. (Cornell)Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons)

Everyday
70 Mall – Cornell – Commons The Shops at Ithaca Mall

The Shops at Ithaca Mall

Ithaca Commons

Seneca St. @ Commons

Weekends Only
72 Airport – Cornell – Commons Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport

Airport

Ithaca Commons

ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons

DEP:Green St. @ Commons

Weekends Only
Northwood Apartments

Northwood Apts.

77 Warren @ Farrell – Winston Court – Mall LOOP

The Shops at Ithaca Mall (The Shops at Ithaca Mall) – Warren Rd.Winston CourtThe Shops at Ithaca Mall (The Shops at Ithaca Mall)

Saturday Only
Note:

Rt. 13 also serves the Mall. See "Downtown and West Hill" section.

Rts. 41, 53, and 75 also serve Cornell University. See "Rural Routes" Section.

Select Services on Rts. 20, 21, 36, 40, 43, 52, 65, and 67 also serve East Hill and Cornell University, mostly during peak hours. See "Rural Routes" section.

Select Rt. 17 services also serve East Hill, Collegetown, and Cornell University. Services are limited and irregular. See "Downtown and West Hill" section.

Rural Routes (Former TOMTRAN Routes): Routes 20 to 21, 36 to 43, 52 to 67, and 74 to 75

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Route # Route Name Terminals Days of Service
Outbound Inbound
20 Enfield Enfield

Enfield Highway Department

Ithaca Commons

Green St. @ Commons

Everyday
Cornell Central Campus and Vet School

ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute

ARR:Dairy Bar

DEP:Vet School

21 Trumansburg – Jacksonville Trumansburg

Aubles Trailer Park

Ithaca Commons

Green St. @ Commons

Everyday
Cornell Vet School

ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute

DEP:Vet School

36 South Lansing South Lansing

Lansing Fire Company #3

Ithaca Commons

ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons

DEP:Green St. @ Commons

Weekdays Only
Lansing High School

Lansing School

Cornell Vet School

ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute

DEP:Vet School

Ithaca High School

Lake St. @ Ithaca High School

37 North Lansing North Lansing

Lansing Fire Station #4

Ithaca Commons

ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons

DEP:Green St. @ Commons

Weekdays Only
Springbrook Apartments

Springbrook @ Farrell

South Lansing

Lansing Town Hall

Cornell Central Campus

ARR:Sage Hall

DEP:Dairy Bar

40 Groton – Freeville Groton

Groton Express Mart

Ithaca Commons

Seneca St. @ Commons

Everyday
41 Etna Demand-and-Response (DAR) Zone Etna DAR Zone Collegetown

Schwartz CPA

Everyday
43 Dryden – TC3 Tompkins Cortland Community College

TC3

Ithaca Commons

Seneca St. @ Commons

Everyday
Groton – Freeville – TC3 – Dryden Groton

Groton Express Mart

52 Caroline – Brooktondale Caroline

Caroline Turnaround

Ithaca Commons

ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons

DEP:Green St. @ Commons

Everyday
Cornell Vet School

ARR:Vet School

53 Brooktondale – Ellis Hollow – Varna AM LOOP

Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – BrooktondaleEllis HollowVarnaCornellIthaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons)

Weekdays Only
PM LOOP

Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – CornellVarnaEllis HollowBrooktondaleIthaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons)

65 Danby – South Hill Danby

Hillview Terrace Mobile Home Park

Ithaca Commons

ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons

DEP:Green St. @ Commons

DEP:Aurora St. @ Commons

Monday – Saturday
Cornell Vet School

ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute

DEP:Vet School

67 Newfield Newfield

Newfield Central School

Ithaca Commons

Green St. @ Commons

Everyday
Cornell Vet School

ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute

DEP:Vet School

74 Groton – Mall Groton

Groton Express Mart

The Shops at Ithaca Mall

The Shops at Ithaca Mall

Weekends
Ithaca Commons

Green St. @ Commons

75 Dryden – Mall Tompkins Cortland Community College

TC3 Dorms

The Shops at Ithaca Mall

The Shops at Ithaca Mall

Weekends
Ithaca Commons

DEP:Green St. @ Commons

Cornell University Campus Services (Former CU Transit Routes): Routes 81 to 93

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Route # Route Name Terminals Days of Service
Outbound Inbound
81 A Lot – Vet School via Central Campus or Judd Falls Rd. Cornell Vet School

ARR:Dairy Bar

ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute

DEP:Vet School

(Early Morning)

Cornell Parking Lot A

A Lot – Lower Stop

Weekdays Only

Early Morning and Peak Time Only

Cornell Vet School

Dairy Bar

(Peak Hours)

82 Hasbrouck – East Hill Plaza via Central Campus and Tower Rd East Hill Plaza

East Hill Plaza

Cornell Parking Lot A

A Lot – Lower Stop

(Except Morning Peak)

Weekday Only
Hasbrouck Apartments

Hasbrouck

(Morning Peak Only)

83 North Campus – Central Campus via Cradit Farm Dr LOOP

Hasbrouck Apartments (Hasbrouck) – North CampusCentral Campus

Weekday Only
83W West Campus – Central Campus via Campus Rd LOOP

West Campus (Stewart @ University) – Central Campus (Uris Hall Across Street)

Weekdays Only

Morning Peak Only

90 Collegetown – North Campus LOOP

Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Central CampusNorth Campus (Robert Purcell Community Center) – Cradit Farm Dr.Central CampusCollegetown (Schwartz CPA)

Everyday

Night Service Only

92 North Campus – Collegetown – East Hill Plaza via Tower Rd LOOP

Hasbrouck Apartments (Hasbrouck) – North CampusThurston AveWest CampusCollegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Tower RdMaple AveEast Hill Plaza (East Hill Plaza)

Weekday Night Time;

Weekends

93 North Campus – Collegetown – Eastern Heights via Hoy Rd LOOP

Hasbrouck (Hasbrouck Apartments) – North CampusThurston AveWest CampusCollegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Maple AveEast Hill PlazaEast IthacaEastern Heights (Skyvue @ Snyder Hill)

Everyday

Night Time Only

Note: Day time only, Rts. 52 and 53 also serve the East Ithaca community. See "Rural Routes" section.

Fleet

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TCAT operates a mix of fifty-one 35 ft and 40 ft transit buses and three small 14-seat buses. All TCAT buses are wheelchair accessible. The fleet is composed of vehicles manufactured by Gillig, Nova Bus, New Flyer Industries, and Orion Bus Industries.

Current fleet

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A TCAT Advantage T40 bus
 
A TCAT LFS bus
Fleet Number(s) Year Manufacturer Model Notes
204,206,208 2002 New Flyer D40LF
601–608 2006 Gillig Advantage T40
610–612 2006 Ford E450
613–614 2007 Gillig Advantage T40
Hybrid
701–703 2007 Gillig Advantage T40
Hybrid
901–902 2009 Gillig Advantage T40
1102–1103 2011 Gillig Advantage T40 Hybrid
1104–1106, 1108–1109, 1118 (Formerly 1107) 2011 Gillig Advantage T40
1110–1114, 1116 2011 Orion VII Next Generation Bus
1501–1502 2015 Gillig Advantage T40
1601–1605 2016 Gillig Advantage T40
1801–1811 2018 Gillig Advantage T40
1901–1909 2019 New Flyer XD40
1910–1912 2019 Champion DF350

Fares

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TCAT charges an adult fare at $1.50 for all trips. Cash customers are entitled to one free transfer upon request. Seniors and those with disabilities pay half-fare, as do children under 18. Additionally, up to three children, aged five or younger, travel free with an adult.

Historical images

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Sources

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  1. ^ About TCAT
  2. ^ TCAT Bus – Fun Facts
  3. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  5. ^ "About TCAT". TCAT. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  6. ^ County Resolution No 152 of 1980 "Acceptance of Interim County-wide Transportation Plan", June 9, 1980, Tompkins County Board of Representatives.
  7. ^ In Tioga County
  8. ^ County Resolution No 32 of 1990 "Acceptance of Conceptual Design for Joint Transit Maintenance Facility and Authorizing Federal Section 18 Application", February 20, 1990, Tompkins County Board of Representatives.
  9. ^ Article 5-I, Section 119-s-1 of the New York State General Municipal Law
  10. ^ TCAT prepares for bus fare change and announces perk for CU employees
  11. ^ "Late Fall Schedules: Check for changes in December)". TCAT. October 27, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  12. ^ TCAT system map
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