| Slogan | Destination: Excellence |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1970 |
| Headquarters | One Centro Center |
| Locale | Syracuse |
| Service type | Bus Transit |
| Fleet | 287 |
| Daily ridership | Approximately 50,000 |
| Fuel type | Diesel, CNG, Diesel-electric hybrid |
| Web site | Centro's website |
The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, known as Centro, is the operator of mass transit in Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, and Oneida counties in New York state. The CNYRTA was formed on August 1, 1970, along with similar agencies in Rochester, Albany, and Buffalo. CENTRO won the American Public Transportation Association's 2006 "Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award" for bus companies serving 4 million to 30 million riders a year.
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Centro operates four separate systems concentrated in the urban areas of the counties served. Each operates based on a hub-and-spoke route system with downtown transfer centers, although efforts have been made in recent years in the Syracuse area to provide direct services between outlying points without requiring passengers to change buses downtown.
Initially, Centro operations consisted of the local bus services in each city and private coach lines continued to provide intercity connecting service between the various counties. Although the private firms later received public subsidies, the economics of providing those services gradually declined and most of these routes were taken over by the CNYRTA as noted below.
The main service area is the city of Syracuse and suburban Onondaga County. Centro took over the assets and operations of the Syracuse Transit Corporation on January 17, 1972 and those of the suburban Syracuse & Eastern Transit Corp. in 1974. Most routes begin in Downtown Syracuse, spread out through the city, and connect with the rest of Onondaga County. CNY Centro also operates Syracuse University shuttle routes and Syracuse City School District routes for high school students. Since 1989 all Centro routes in the Syracuse area are accessible to wheelchair patrons.
Routes are based in the City of Oswego, New York. Service began on August 28, 1972. Routes extend east and west through the city. The neighboring communities of Fulton and Mexico are also provided with fixed route service. Centro assumed operation of Oswego-Fulton-Syracuse intercity bus service from S&O Coach on June 21, 1993. Centro also provides zero-fare bus service on the SUNY Oswego campus.
Routes are based in the City of Auburn, New York. Service began on April 2, 1973. Since 2004 all local bus routes are interconnected, offering one-seat rides throughout the city. Centro of Cayuga provides service connecting Auburn and outlying rural communities with Downtown Syracuse. Centro assumed operation of Auburn-Syracuse intercity bus service from Onondaga Coach on August 30, 1993.
Centro of Oneida began operation on April 1, 2005 with the acquisition of the financially troubled Utica Transit Authority based in Utica, New York. The UTA was a local agency only and did not have the same ability to raise revenues as a public benefit corporation such as the CNYRTA. Merging the local county bus operations into the Centro system brought greater financial stability. On October 1, 2005 Centro of Oneida assumed the operations of the VIP Transportation bus system in Rome, New York. This merger of services has allowed for improved transit for citizens of Oneida County. All of the former UTA and VIP buses were reconditioned with digital destination signs, upgraded air conditioning systems and new fare collection equipment. All buses are wheelchair accessible.
However, Oneida County routes do not connect directly to those in Onondaga, Cayuga, and Oswego Counties. Service between Utica, Rome and Syracuse was operated by Central New York Coach Lines until 1993 and these rights are now owned by Birnie Bus Service.
| Route Number | Route Name | Variations |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | South Salina - Nedrow | 110, 210, 310, 410, 410X |
| 510 | Tully - Lafayette Express | |
| 16 | North Salina - 7th North | 116, 216 |
| 20 | James - Lamson | 120 |
| 21 | James - Sunnycrest | 121 |
| 22 | James - Carrier - New Venture Gear | 122 |
| 23 | James - East Syracuse- Shoppingtown | 123, 223 |
| 323X | East Syracuse - Minoa Express | |
| 26 | South Ave. | 126, 226, 226X, 326 |
| 28 | South Salina - Valley | 128 |
| 30 | SU - Westcott | 130, 230, 330, 530 |
| 36 | West Genesee - Camillus | 136 |
| 40 | SU - Nob Hill | 140, 240 |
| 340 | SU - Drumlins | |
| 443 | Connective Corridor Shuttle | 543, 643 |
| 46 | Liverpool - Route 57 | |
| 48 | Liverpool - Morgan | 148, 248 |
| 50 | Carousel Center | 550 |
| 52 | Court - Park | |
| 152 | Court - Industrial Park | |
| 54 | Midland - Valley | 154, 254 |
| 58 | Parkhill | 158 |
| 62 | Fayetteville - Manlius | 162, 262, 262X, 362, 362X, 462 |
| 64 | West Onondaga | 164 |
| 66 | Grand | 166 |
| 68 | East Fayette - Erie | 168 |
| 72 | Townsend - East Colvin | 172 |
| 74 | Solvay - Milton | |
| 274 | Solvay - Avery | 374 |
| 76 | East Genesee - Salt Springs | 176, 276 |
| 80 | Grant | 180 |
| 82 | Baldwinsville | 182 |
| 84 | Mattydale | 184 |
| 86 | Henry Clay | 186, 286 |
| 88 | North Syracuse - Cicero | 188, 288 |
| 388 | Central Square |
| Route Number | Route Name | Variations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Genesee | |
| 2 | Franklin | |
| 3 | North St | |
| 4 | State | |
| 5 | Lake - Owasco | |
| 7 | Auburn - Welch Allyn - Tessy Plastics | |
| 8 | Auburn - Moravia - CCF | |
| 236 | Auburn - Syracuse | 38, 138 |
| Route Number | Route Name | Variations |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Price Chopper Plaza via 104 | |
| 1B | Price Chopper Plaza via Hamilton Homes | |
| 1C | Price Chopper Plaza via Seneca | |
| 1D | Price Chopper Plaza -Brandonwood Homes Ext. | |
| 2A | College via 104 | |
| 2B | College via Seneca | |
| 2C | College via Sunrise Terrace - West Utica St | |
| 2D | College via Ellen | |
| 246 | Oswego - Syracuse | 246X |
| Fulton Local Bus | ||
| Oswego - Mexico - Fulton |
| Route Number | Route Name | Variations |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Whitesboro | |
| 111 | New York Mills | |
| 12 | Bleecker | |
| 14 | Mohawk | 114 |
| 15 | James | |
| 20 | Lenox | |
| 22 | South St | |
| 24 | Genesee - Sangertown | |
| 28 | Herkimer Rd | |
| 29 | Riverside | 129 |
| 30 | Clinton | |
| 31 | Oneida St | 131 |
| Route Number | Route Name | Variations |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Walmart | |
| 4 | James-Rome Hospital-Williams | |
| 5 | Rome Hospital-Griffiss-Mohawk Acres | |
| 6 | MVCC-Griffiss-Freedom Plaza | |
| 7 | Griffiss-Freedom Plaza | |
| 9 | Mohawk Acres-Griffiss-Rome Hospital |
Source: [1] Last accessed: September 20, 2009
The 'Common Center' has traditionally been the main transfer point for Syracuse routes, dating back to the streetcar era. The location is in the heart of Downtown Syracuse, at the intersection of Salina and Fayette Streets. Buses utilize all four corners to "line up". There are many downsides to the current setup, the biggest being the lack of protection from the weather. The few benches, canopies and bus shelters offer minimal protection from the elements, a less than ideal situation given the area's frigid winter temperatures. Also, passengers are often forced to cross one of the busiest intersections in Downtown twice to transfer between buses. The congestion caused by having up to twenty, full-sized city buses at the corner at any given time has been blamed for the lack of development in the 300 block of South Salina St.
For the past twelve years Centro has planned to move the Common Center to an off-street location. After various locations were reviewed and ultimately rejected, a site at the intersection of Adams and Salina Streets was chosen in 2006. This site currently hosts a Red Cross blood center. Through eminent domain Centro plans to tear down the standing building and build a new, indoor facility. The facility will offer a bus bay for every route, covered outdoor waiting, and indoor waiting. The facility will provide public restroom facilities, an information center, and possibly a food vendor, such as Dunkin Donuts. This move will benefit the riders of Centro and be the first step in the redevelopment of the 300 block of South Salina.
Plans were approved by the Federal Transit Administration in November 2008. The design team includes Centro, QPK Design, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Robson Woese Inc., and Fisher Associates. Construction is set to begin in Fall 2010 with completion scheduled for Fall 2011.
Centro allows riders to board buses with cash, coins or transit cards. Fares vary by county.
As of May 2, 2011, the basic fare structure is as follows:
Centro offers two types of transit cards:
| Fleet Numbers | Year | Model | Length | Engine | Destination Sign | Bike Rack | Assigned Divisions | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 540 | 1992 | Orion V 5.501 Suburban | 40 | Diesel | LED | Yes | CNY Centro | 540 was the only diesel Orion to be rehabbed. The current paint scheme was added as well as LED signs and new A/C and 7 wheelchair positions. |
| 583-604 | 1999 | Orion V 5.503 | 35 | Diesel | LED | No | Centro of Oneida-Utica | Ex-Utica Transit Authority. These buses were rehabbed in 2005. New A/C's, seats, signs, and paint scheme were added. |
| 2099-2499 | 1999 | Orion V 5.505 | 30 | Diesel | LED | No | Centro of Oneida-Rome | Ex-VIP Trans. These buses were rehabbed in 2006. New A/C's, seats, signs, and paint scheme were added. |
| 9900-9977 | 1999 | Orion V 5.501 | 40 | CNG | Flip Dot | Yes | CNY Centro | |
| 674-676, 678-681 | 2001 | MCI 102-D3 | 40 | Diesel | LED | No | CNY Centro, Centro of Oswego, Centro of Cayuga | 681 formerly numbered 677 |
| 2378-2382 | 2003 | Orion V 5.503 | 35 | CNG | LED | Yes | CNY Centro | |
| 2400-2409 | 2004 | New Flyer D30LF | 30 | Diesel | LED | Yes | Centro of Oswego, Centro of Cayuga | CNYRTA's first low-floor buses. Delivered to Centro of Cayuga first. |
| 2500-2522 | 2005 | New Flyer D40LF | 40 | Diesel | LED | Yes | CNY Centro, Centro of Oswego | First low-floor buses for Syracuse and Oswego areas. |
| 2523-2541 | 2005 | New Flyer C40LF | 40 | CNG | LED | Yes | CNY Centro | 2523-2533 feature suburban seating with two doors; 2534-2541 have local seating. |
| 2700-2708 | 2007 | Gillig Advantage Hybrid | 40 | Hybrid | LED | Yes | CNY Centro | CNYRTA's first hybrid buses, feature an enhanced version of current paint scheme. |
| 2720-2721 | 2007 | Gillig Advantage | 35 | Diesel | LED | No | Centro of Oneida-Utica | First low-floor buses for Utica area. |
| 2800-2802 | 2008 | Gillig Advantage | 40 | Diesel | LED | Yes | CNY Centro | Suburban seating with two doors. |
| 2810-2812 | 2008 | Gillig BRT | 30 | Diesel | LED | Yes | CNY Centro | |
| 682-686 | 2009 | MCI D4000 | 40 | Diesel | LED | No | CNY Centro, Centro of Oswego, Centro of Cayuga | First coach buses with LED destination signs. |
| 2900-2904 | 2009 | Gillig Advantage | 40 | Diesel | LED | Yes | CNY Centro | Suburban seating with two doors. |
| 2905-2908 | 2009 | Gillig Advantage | 35 | Diesel | LED | No | Centro of Oneida-Utica | |
| 2945-2948 | 2009 | IC Bus LC Series | 27 | Diesel | LED | Yes | CNY Centro | |
| 1000-1017 | 2010 | OrionVII 07.501 | 40 | CNG | LED | Yes | CNY Centro | 1015-1017 wrapped for Connective Corridor service |
| 1019 | 2010 | OrionVII 07.502 | 35 | Diesel | LED | No | Centro of Oneida-Rome |