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.