NORWICH — At the end of 2024, Chenango County’s year-to-year contract with Transdev, a private mobility company operating bus routes throughout the county, came to an end.
County officials were aware of the impending loss of transit and requested proposals from other transportation companies, yet no interests were expressed except that from Transdev.
Their request was of about $2 million per year, which would severely burden taxpayers.
To no avail, the Chenango County posted the end of public transit to be on December 31, 2024.
During the January board of supervisors meeting, officials questioned the transit situation and requested an investigation to get public transportation operating again in Chenango County.
Board Chairman Jeffrey Blanchard believes the board has a responsibility to determine if there is an amount of local shares the county is willing to contribute.
Norwich Supervisor Robert Jeffrey said, “The funds are pass-through funds, meaning federal funds purchase the buses but New York State is not funding operating costs.”
He believes this is a state-wide issue and encouraged the constituents to reach out to the New York State governor.
Blanchard also expressed dissatisfaction with the state and said it would seem acceptable, as to his knowledge, in the last 13 years, there has been no contribution of local share to public transportation.
He said the request for proposal they turned down would require $1 million of local share over three years.
Additional questions arose regarding projected burdens and what the number totals were for ridership figures.
Clerk of the Board Sheri Howe said the estimated 7.5 riders per day excludes riders from outside contracts.
"An RFP [request for proposal] was put out in the spring and we got to the point where we could not come up with a solution with the current company," said Howe.
"I have had several conversations with New York State Department Of Transportation (NYSDOT) to try to come up with a solution: we aren't there yet, but are still trying,” she said.
Howe added she couldn't say more in open session due to negotiations with another neighboring county.
"It is not promising that they would be able to do it with the current grant funding," she continued. "They threw out a similar figure to the private vendor, so don't be surprised it it costs $1 million or more of local share."
"It really needs to go to the committee to have some of these discussions, but we are working on it," said Howe. “The topic is not dead and we are working with NYSDOT, who funds the county.”
She said to trust the process, public transportation requires operating authority from NYSDOT.
A motion was made by North Norwich Board Supervisor Robert Wansor and seconded by Preston Supervisor Zachary Meseck to refer to the public works committee.
For a list of transportation in the area, visit the Chenango County website at https://www.chenangocountyny.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=39.