Updates

Check back regularly for the latest transportation related service and program updates in Tompkins County. Some transportation services are limited or experiencing frequent adjustments due to the COVID-19 crisis. For questions, call 2-1-1 or contact the service provider directly.

NYS Mandate: Coronavirus is still spreading in New York. All are required to wear a mask and maintain 6 feet distance in public, and when riding shared or public transportation. Stay informed of COVID-19 related updates and resources through the Tompkins County Health Department website at tompkinscountyny.gov/health

New Transportation Updates

Referrals for Free Rides to Vaccine Appointments If you have an appointment and need a ride to a COVID-19 vaccine site within Tompkins County, call 2-1-1 for a referral to free transportation options which may include a ride via a TCAT bus or the Gadabout paratransit service. AARP Driver Safety Course Update Many people are looking forward to the resumption of in-person Driver Safety classes at Cornell Cooperative Extension. Unfortunately, AARP’s Driver Safety classes will not be offered in-person until September 2021 at the earliest during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This additional time will allow for further distribution of vaccines and, ultimately, a significant downward trend in cases. While there have been positive reports related to COVID-19 vaccines, 95% of counties in the U.S. do not meet AARP’s criteria to safely resume in-person activities. AARP is using statistical county-by-county maps to determine when in-person classes can be offered.  When classroom courses resume, the price will be $25 for AARP members and $30 for non-members. Stay tuned for further updates later this year. Online AARP courses are available all year, learn more on our Driver Education page. Tconnect Service Expanded - Increasing Rural Transit Access The Tconnect service launched in the Lansing/Etna area in August 2020 and has now expanded coverage in the surrounding area of Lansing Town Hall to include Milton Meadows and Woods Edge Apartments. This on-demand service replaced TCAT’s weekend fixed-route 77 and allows riders to connect to transit or ride directly to select destinations in the service area. Over 500 rides have been provided since September 2020. View the map of the expanded area, and learn more about how to access this service on our  Tconnect Service page or by visiting TCAT's website at www.tcatbus.com/tconnect/ FoodNet Meals on Wheels Expands Services As of February 1 st, FoodNet Meals on Wheels expanded its services to support the food needs of Tompkins County individuals/families in quarantine/isolation. This program will have the capacity to support up to 25 households/50 individuals per month through May 31 st. Learn about eligibility, meal options, referral process, availability, and contacts by reading this 1-pager.

Recent Transportation Updates

Downtown Ithaca Walk-In Cayuga Health Sampling Site
The sampling site at 412 North Tioga St in Ithaca, NY is a walk-in by appointment, saliva collection site to support residents of Ithaca who have limited transportation and are seeking a test. The Mass Sampling Center located at The Shops at Ithaca Mall and other community testing locations will remain in operation. Register for an appointment at cayugahealth.org/ or call 607-319-5708. For more information on locations go to TompkinsCountyNY.gov/Health/Factsheets/CoronaVirusSamplingSite. No cost for County residents.

Free & Safe Rides to Cayuga Health Sampling Center
Need a ride to the Tompkins County COVID-19 drive-thru Sampling Center located at The Shops at Ithaca Mall? Register for testing online at www.cayugahealth.org or by calling 607-319-5708. Call 2-1-1 between 8:30 am and 5 pm to schedule a safe and free ride.

Free Medical Rides are Limited
Friends In Service Helping (FISH) is providing medical rides to individuals who are low income-eligible, have a disability, or are over the age of 60. FISH is running at a very limited capacity with only a few volunteer drivers available at this time. Call 2-1-1 for more information or to request a ride reservation.

Gadabout Meeting Medical & Food Demand
Gadabout is doing all it can to transport individual riders to essential medical appointments and has partnered up with The Southern Tier Food Hub to help meet the growing demand for food delivery needs in Tompkins County.

Ithaca Carshare Service and COVID-19
Ithaca Carshare is committed to staying in touch with state and local health guidelines as they begin to lift driving restrictions that were put in place in the past months.

Older Adults 55+ are Eligible to Ride Gadabout
Gadabout lowered the eligibility for seniors to ride to age 55 and over. This decision was made to align themselves with the Fair Housing Act “Housing for Older Persons” age requirements.

Older Adults 60+ are Eligible for No Cost Gadabout Tickets
The Tompkins County Office for the Aging has partnered up with Gadabout to offer older adults age 60 and over who have transportation needs with one-way Gadabout tickets at no cost. If you need services from the Office for the Aging, please call 607-274-5482, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

OurBus Door-To-Door Available in Ithaca
With OurBus Door-To-Door, you can reserve a shared taxi ride to drop you off or pick you up from the Ithaca bus stop. Less expensive than a taxi ride. Guaranteed connection so you'll never miss the bus. There when you arrive so you're not waiting at the stop. Book in minutes with your bus trip.

Tompkins County Bike Map 2020
Explore the safest bike routes and trails using the online interactive 2020 Tompkins County Bike Map or download a PDF through the Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council website.

Travel by E-Bikes & E-Scooters Now Legal in NYS on Streets of 30 mph or Less
Effective August 2, 2020 - NYS law will allow people to operate bicycles with an electric assist (e-bikes) and electric scooters (e-scooters) on some streets and highways in New York State of 30 mph or less. The NYS DMV page has additional details and definitions of e-bikes and e-scooters.

United Way/211 Covid Response Program
Supports individuals at or below United Way's ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) thresholds, which include more moderate income households than many other programs. Provides grants up to $500 annually to help households pay for:- Car Insurance & Repairs- Child Care Expenses- Essential Appliances- Health Insurance- Phone & Utility Bills- Rent- Other expenses agreed upon with the United Way.

Last updated March 4, 2021