Assemblyman Stirpe: Budget Proposal Includes $4.1 Million to Prevent Local Bus Service Cuts
Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced funds to prevent Centro from slashing services from our local communities are included in the Assembly’s budget proposal. The plan he helped craft includes $25 million in funds for upstate transit, which $4.1 million will go toward helping Centro maintain services.
“Our public transit is vital to our region. Many hardworking families rely on these services to go to their jobs and get around the community,” stated Assemblyman Stirpe. “After hearing from residents and our local health care providers, I made it a top priority and strongly advocated for these funds to be included in the budget proposal – we can’t accept any cuts to services and we won’t allow it.”
Earlier this year, Centro – which services Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga and Oneida counties – put forth a proposal to slash transportation services due to rising costs and inadequate funding. The proposed plan called for cutting bus services after 9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and canceling all bus service on Sundays and holidays, as well as canceling midday services on 82 Baldwinsville and 462 Manlius routes. Centro’s buses provide 330,000 rides on Sundays alone and 12 million riders use its services each year.[1]
Assemblyman Stirpe noted that this scheduling would’ve affected individuals who work long hours, weekends or the night shift – especially hospital and health care workers that work late and overnight shifts.
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