Copyright 2015 linkinglewiscounty.com  all rights reserved       privacy policy here
Shop for 2016 NFL Drafted Player Jerseys at NFLShop.com
Subscribe to our
YouTube Channel
Lewis County Awarded Nearly $1 Million for
Purchase of New Buses and Related Equipment

February 04, 2020   02:30 p.m.   By: Nick Altmire

    Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that $14.2 million has been
    awarded to 13 counties, cities and regional authorities to modernize and enhance
    municipally sponsored public transportation services. This State-funded initiative,
    which is part of a larger $435 million five-year commitment to upstate and
    downstate suburban services, will enhance consumer convenience through the
    modernization of bus shelters; deployment of new contactless fare collection
    systems; and procurement of new, accessible clean-fuel vehicles.

    As part of the announced funding, Lewis County will receive $980,078 for "the
    procurement of new clean-fuel buses and related equipment."

    The projects announced today were selected through a competitive solicitation
    process, which incorporated criteria developed as part of the Governor's initiative
    to advance Health Across all Policies in New York State. Health Across all
    Policies is a collaborative approach that integrates health considerations into
    policymaking across all sectors to improve community health and wellness.

    The Lewis County Planning Department applied for the funding nearly a year and
    a half ago, according to Senior Planner Casandra Buell.

    "With these funds, Lewis County Public Transportation will be able to expand our
    rural transit system, enhance the rider experience with new technology, and
    improve access to our routes," Mrs. Buell told linkinglewiscounty.com.

    Mrs. Buell said with today's funding announcement the county plans to purchase:

  • 5 new full size buses
  • 5 WiFi modems
  • 1 fare box vault
  • 8 fare boxes
  • 6 bus stop shelters

    Currently the county owns three full size buses (2 are 2013 model year and 1 is a
    2019/20 model year) and one mini bus (2019/20 model year) as part of the public
    transportation system contracted through Birnie Bus. With the new purchases the
    county would have 8 full size buses in its fleet. With the county owning the buses
    for the routes, the operational costs for the program decrease.

    The Lewis County Public Transportation System currently doesn't use fare boxes
    to collect fares, so that would be a new addition to the system.

    The system now has two bus shelters in use, one at Lewis County General
    Hospital and one at Lewis County Department of Social Services. With the
    funding 6 additional shelters will be added at various locations throughout the
    county, to be determined.

    Mrs. Buell said it generally takes about six months after ordering to receive a bus
    and four to five months to receive a shelter. She hopes the project can be
    completed by the end of the year.

    No matching funds are required from the county for the funding.

    For more on the Lewis County Public Transportation System you can visit their
    website.