Future Uncertain For Tioga Public Transit Riders

The people who use Tioga County's public transportation bus system still have several weeks before they must come up with some alternatives.

The bus service is scheduled to stop operating at the end of November. But efforts are underway to provide some form of bus service to residents, especially for those who work in neighboring counties.

Tioga County lawmakers last month voted to shut down the service, which is operated under contract by First Transit.

County officials say taxpayers could not be expected to pick up the tab for much higher transportation expenses after New York state's reimbursement policy for Medicaid patients was changed.

Legislature chairwoman Martha Sauerbrey says efforts continue to come up with possible options for those who've been using the Ride Tioga service. She says there have been conversations with officials from Broome, Tompkins and Chemung counties about developing plans to work with their transit systems.

Tioga County isn't alone in dealing with a public transit crisis caused by the changes in the state's Medicaid funding policies. Other systems in upstate New York may shut down soon because of revenue shortfalls caused by the decision made in Albany.