About Us
TCAT, Inc (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc.) is a not-for-profit corporation that provides public transportation for Tompkins County and portions of Tioga County. TCAT transports over 3 million passengers every year covering a distance of more than 1.6 million miles. The fleet of 49 buses currently includes 3 hybrid-electric diesel buses with another 3 going into service during the autumn of 2007. TCAT also offers complimentary ADA Paratransit services called Gadabout.
Frequently Asked Questions (Click to expand)
Cash fare, single ride
Adult (ages 18-59) $1.50
Youth (ages 6-17) $0.75
Senior Citizens (age 60+) / Persons with Disabilities $0.75 (half fare)
Check complete fare information including tickets and passes.
NO. In order to keep the environment on the buses clean and comfortable for everyone, consuming food and drink is prohibited.
TCAT does not operate on January 1, Memorial Day (May), Independence Day (July), Thanksgiving Day (November) or Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
In general, there are more bus routes operating longer hours in the Ithaca urban area than in rural towns. TCAT buses operate 22 hours per day on weekdays. TCAT operates limited late night service (routes 90, 92 & 93). TCAT has weekend service too. Check the individual route schedule for exact hours of service.
The routes with the most frequent service are routes 10 and 81 (with a bus every 10 minutes). Route 30 has buses every 15 minutes in during high demand morning and afternoon times and 30 minutes in the midday, evenings and on weekends. Check individual routes for exact frequency of service.
Yes, TCATÕs web site offers a comprehensive Trip Planner for you to use as a tool to help you plan your trip. It is always best to check the result against the online schedule as the trip planner has been known to be quirky. The online system map is also a good tool for planning a trip when you are not sure which route serves a particular area.
TCAT operates 360 days a year. TCAT adjusts its service to meet seasonal demand. We add service to state parks, swimming pools and the lakefront in the summer (Route 22). Routes serving the Cornell campus are adjusted to reflect lower demand during summer months. Call the Audix bulletin board number (254-6790) for information about service on holidays, during special events, or during periods of inclement weather.
TCAT offers a monthly, system-wide pass. The pass costs $45. TCAT also offers an annual, system-wide pass. The pass costs $495 (thatÕs 12 months for the price of 11).TCAT sells a $50 Summer Fun Pass for youths age 6-18, is valid on any bus in Tompkins County.
Special Passes:
Cornell faculty & staff - Cornell employee benefits include a free OmniRide Pass to ride any bus in Tompkins County, for eligible faculty and staff. OmniRide is part of a larger program targeted at reducing traffic and congestion on campus and throughout Tompkins County.
Cornell Students -Cornell students may purchase the OmniRide Pass to ride any bus in Tompkins County: $125 per semester or $200 for a full year. Routes 92 and 93Ñthe Blue Light busesÑare free with any valid Cornell ID card, no bus pass is required.
Ithaca College - Ithaca College students can buy a pass specifically created for them. The pass is good for unlimited travel on all TCAT routes within Tompkins County. The pass costs $110 per semester.
TC3 Students - TC3 Students can also purchase a discounted semester pass loaded right onto their ID card. The TC3 basic pass costs $100/per semester and is valid on routes 43 & 75 only with NO transfers. The TC3 semester pass costs $150/semester and is valid anytime, anywhere in Tompkins County.
Passes are also available at numerous outlets throughout the county. TCAT annual passes and short-term passes are only sold at the TCAT facility, 737 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, 277-RIDE.
Cornell students may purchase OmniRide passes at the Transportation Office, 116 Maple Avenue; and at Willard Straight Hall Ticket Office. You must present your Cornell student ID at the time of purchase.
Cornell Faculty and staff should contact Cornell Commuter and Parking Services (255-4600) to enroll in OmniRide or any other aspect of the Transportation Demand Management Program (TDMP).
Ithaca College students can purchase discounted 10 ride and monthly passes from the IC bookstore. Semester passes must be purchased at the TCAT office at 737 Willow Ave. or over the phone with a credit card by calling TCAT at 277-7433.
TC3 students can purchase both types of passe through their myCARD account and pay with Panther dollars.
How often do you intend to ride the bus? If you use transit frequently, a pass is the right answer. If you prefer to walk, bike, or drive, pay the fare when boarding. Only you can choose which is the better deal. All things being equal, however, the pass offers the advantage of saving you the worry of having exact change each time you board.
Only 13% of TCAT riders pay the cash fare. The pass price is designed to reward our most loyal and frequent riders. Buy a pass.
Routes 14, 20 serve the Ithaca Bus Terminal directly. Route 21 will get you fairly close (see Seneca@Fulton and Buffalo@Fulton stops). Consult the schedules, or call 277-RIDE.
Route 32 during the week and route 72 on the weekend. Consult the schedules, or call 277-RIDE.
During the week, Routes 13 and 30 serve the mall during the week. On weekends, Routes 13, 30, 70, 74, 75 & 77 also serve the mall. Consult the schedules, or call 277-RIDE.
TCAT owns 55 buses that operate TCATÕs 34 fixed routes. TCAT also contracts with GADABOUT Transportation Services for demand responsive paratransit service. GADABOUT operates 26 small buses for paratransit (curb to curb) service. The total number is 81 buses and vans of all sizes.
All drivers must meet strict New York State Department of Motor Vehicle requirements, possess an appropriate commercial drivers license (CDL), and are subject to both federal and NYS Department of Transportation testing programs, including random drug testing. All drivers must pass qualification tests and physicals bi-annually, and have their driving habits and official records reviewed annually.
TCAT carries more than 3.3 million riders. 2,769,810 passengers rode on TCATÕs 40 bus routes. 58,455 passengers used paratransit by GADABOUT. Total ridership was 2,828,265 in 2003. TCAT buses traveled 1,564,741 miles in 2003. GADABOUTÕs paratransit buses traveled 331,843 miles. The grand total is 1,896,584 miles, or approximately the distance of 316 round trips, coast to coast, across the continental United States.
The first step in setting up a new route is making sure that there is sufficient demand. Demographics are studied, surveys are conducted, marketing plans are formulated, and if all indicators show that the route would be worthwhile, a test period is set up. For the first critical months ridership is closely monitored to make sure the route is meeting everyoneÕs expectations. Adjustments to times and stops are made until it operates smoothly. If all is well, the route becomes permanent.
Ithaca
At the Cornell Transportation Office, 116 Maple Ave.
Willard Straight Hall Ticket Office
TCAT Offices, 737 Willow Avenue
Ithaca College Bookstore
Green Street Station Gimme! coffee (next to the library)
Wegmans, 500 S. Meadow St.
Tops, 710 S. Meadow St.
Tops, 2300 N Triphammer Road,
Dryden
TC3 Bookstore
Kinney Drug Store
Freeville
Freeville Village Clerk, 5 Factory Road
Groton
Groton Village Clerk, 143 E Cortland St.
Newfield
Newfield Town Hall, 166 main St.
Trumansburg
Kinney Drug Store, 15 E Main St.
And you can always view and print schedules from the TCAT website.
277-RIDE (7433). ADA Paratransit service is scheduled by calling 273-1878. TCATÕs TDD/TTY number is 277-9766.
Visit or call the Day Hall information and referral center (IRC) at 254-INFO, or check out the bus pages on CUInfo.
Summer or seasonal routes (route 22) runs late June to mid-August. Academic Year routes (routes 83 & 92) run mid-August to late May with limited service over school breaks. Check the website or call 277-RIDE for exact dates and schedule information.
All of our schedules are oriented to the center of Ithaca or the Commons. Therefore, on all schedules ÒinboundÓ is to the center of Ithaca and ÒoutboundÓ is from the center of Ithaca.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, to retrieve lost and found, purchase passes, pick-up schedules or do stop by to do business with TCAT.
Yes, you may bring a stroller on the bus. You must first remove the child and then collapse the the stroller before getting onto the bus. (To save time, please have this done before the bus arrives at your stop.) The stroller must be able to fit underneath or between the seats and cannot block the aisles.
