Post by Atticus Pizzaballa on Sept 13, 2021 16:17:22 GMT -5
Central NY News
Updated: 4:06 p.m. | Published: 3:52 p.m.
Syracuse, N.Y. — Starting today, Syracuse-area residents who rely on Centro bus service have many fewer options to get around – and some have temporarily lost all bus service.
Massive cutbacks related to a severe driver shortage include less frequent service on all bus routes in the city and suburbs. For service Monday to Friday, Centro will run fewer buses, reduce the hours of service and, in some cases, shorten the routes.
Service is suspended completely to Manlius, LaFayette, Tully, Minoa, Baldwinsville, North Syracuse and Central Square. Although riders will be able to reach Fayetteville Town Center, service is cut off to Fayetteville itself.
In some cases, the cuts mean riders won’t be able to use the bus to get to or from work because no buses run early enough or late enough.
It’s unclear exactly how long the service disruptions and cutbacks will last, but they’re expected to be “very temporary” as Centro works to recruit more drivers, said Centro spokesman Steven Koegel.
“This is not the level of service we want to provide. It’s not the level of service that our customers expect,” Koegel said. “And we are working hard to get our service restored to levels that our community needs.”
Centro operates normally with about 190 drivers, Koegel said. It’s currently at least 35-40 drivers short, and with yet more drivers on paid time off or out for Covid or other health issues, Centro needs to hire about 50-55 drivers to function at its best.
Centro’s campaign to attract workers has included signs on buses and billboards that tout the benefits of working as a driver and encourage people to apply. That, plus publicity surrounding the cutbacks, has sparked interest in potential workers in recent days, Koegel said.
But even once drivers are hired, the process to train them takes about six weeks, he said.
“They have to be proficient in all the intricacies of the job. We have to be sure they’re performing the service as it should be performed,” he said. “It’s not like people can walk in the door and three days later be put behind the wheel of a 40-foot bus.”
That means the current class of 12 recruits – plus anyone new who’s hired in the coming days and weeks – won’t help the worker shortage until at least until early November.
Koegel said Centro is pushing to restore service even faster to the areas that have been cut off completely, but he was unsure of an exact timeline.
“They may not be the same level of service, but our goal is to get some level of service to those communities much sooner than six weeks from today,” he said.
As for his message to residents who will struggle to get to work or school in the meantime: “We’re doing the best we can.”
Got a tip, comment or story idea? Call or text Megan Craig at 315-925-7137, email her at mcraig@syracuse.com or send a direct message on Twitter @megcraig1.
www.syracuse.com/news/2021/09/massive-centro-cuts-today-reduce-routes-eliminate-service-to-some-communities.html
Let's hope this also does not happen in Utica since it would leave many many people crippled. I would have no way to get to store or Doctor appointments or anything else.
Massive Centro cuts today reduce bus routes, eliminate service to some communities
Syracuse, N.Y. — Starting today, Syracuse-area residents who rely on Centro bus service have many fewer options to get around – and some have temporarily lost all bus service.
Massive cutbacks related to a severe driver shortage include less frequent service on all bus routes in the city and suburbs. For service Monday to Friday, Centro will run fewer buses, reduce the hours of service and, in some cases, shorten the routes.
Service is suspended completely to Manlius, LaFayette, Tully, Minoa, Baldwinsville, North Syracuse and Central Square. Although riders will be able to reach Fayetteville Town Center, service is cut off to Fayetteville itself.
In some cases, the cuts mean riders won’t be able to use the bus to get to or from work because no buses run early enough or late enough.
It’s unclear exactly how long the service disruptions and cutbacks will last, but they’re expected to be “very temporary” as Centro works to recruit more drivers, said Centro spokesman Steven Koegel.
“This is not the level of service we want to provide. It’s not the level of service that our customers expect,” Koegel said. “And we are working hard to get our service restored to levels that our community needs.”
Centro operates normally with about 190 drivers, Koegel said. It’s currently at least 35-40 drivers short, and with yet more drivers on paid time off or out for Covid or other health issues, Centro needs to hire about 50-55 drivers to function at its best.
Centro’s campaign to attract workers has included signs on buses and billboards that tout the benefits of working as a driver and encourage people to apply. That, plus publicity surrounding the cutbacks, has sparked interest in potential workers in recent days, Koegel said.
But even once drivers are hired, the process to train them takes about six weeks, he said.
“They have to be proficient in all the intricacies of the job. We have to be sure they’re performing the service as it should be performed,” he said. “It’s not like people can walk in the door and three days later be put behind the wheel of a 40-foot bus.”
That means the current class of 12 recruits – plus anyone new who’s hired in the coming days and weeks – won’t help the worker shortage until at least until early November.
Koegel said Centro is pushing to restore service even faster to the areas that have been cut off completely, but he was unsure of an exact timeline.
“They may not be the same level of service, but our goal is to get some level of service to those communities much sooner than six weeks from today,” he said.
As for his message to residents who will struggle to get to work or school in the meantime: “We’re doing the best we can.”
Got a tip, comment or story idea? Call or text Megan Craig at 315-925-7137, email her at mcraig@syracuse.com or send a direct message on Twitter @megcraig1.
www.syracuse.com/news/2021/09/massive-centro-cuts-today-reduce-routes-eliminate-service-to-some-communities.html
Let's hope this also does not happen in Utica since it would leave many many people crippled. I would have no way to get to store or Doctor appointments or anything else.
