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tcat_2011_120Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc., (TCAT, Inc.) reported that year‑to‑date ridership was up 5.7 percent in the first quarter of 2012, with a record‑breaking total of 1,085,580 trips compared to 1,027,101 trips for the first three months of 2011.

TCAT General Manager Joe Turcotte said 2011 ridership numbers were 'an incredible feat' for a transit agency that serves a city of 30,000 and county of 100,000 people. “We are amazed that we not only sustaining those numbers, but surpassing them.”

A 2011–2012 first quarter monthly comparative:

  • January 2012 ridership was 273,553, an 8.3 percent jump from 252,552 trips in January 2011.
  • February 2012 ridership was 424,728, an 8 percent increase from 393,225 trips in February 2011.
  • March 2012 ridership was 387,299, a 1.6 percent increase from 381,324 trips in March 2011.
It’s important to note that at the close of 2011, TCAT completed its fifth consecutive year of record‑breaking growth, ending with a stunning 10.3 percent more trips in 2011 than 2010, for a total of 3,944,625 trips. Total ridership for 2010 was 3,577,579.

“Fluctuating prices at the gas pump continue to put a lot of pressure on household budgets and erode consumer confidence,” Turcotte said.

“People who switched to public transit when gas prices exceeded the $4‑a‑gallon mark decided to remain regular TCAT riders even when gas prices subsided somewhat. They found out they can still save a lot of money. And, many got hooked on the convenience of having someone else do the driving for them.”

Our success is also a reflection of a professional and well‑trained work force that takes customer service very seriously,” Turcotte said.

Turcotte also attributed TCAT’s growth to a number of improvements TCAT has made over the past three years. In 2010, TCAT implemented a restructured and streamlined route system following a lengthy process that included feedback from 600 passengers. Also in 2010, TCAT began using its own locally manufactured electronic fare collection system that features rechargeable fare media to include plastic cards and RFID stickers. The next‑generation system has enabled TCAT to collect data more accurately and efficiently.

TCAT has also continued to work on improving passenger amenities to include the late 2009 opening of a downtown hub, Green Street Station, which features a café style waiting area for passengers.

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