Contact:Tracy Farrell, Chair, TCAT Board of Directors
At its meeting Thursday, July 19, the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) Board of Directors passed a resolution supporting the development of a downtown, intermodal transportation center. Such a facility would integrate local transit with intercity buses (such as Greyhound and Shortline) and taxis. Other amenities envisioned are customer service, public information, and secure bicycle parking and storage.

"This resolution officially states TCAT's enthusiastic desire to work with the City of Ithaca to bring this concept to fruition," said TCAT Board chair and city council member, Tracy Farrell.

The Board further stated its belief that an intermodal center would serve as a gateway to Ithaca for visitors and residents; and, would complement the city's downtown economic development efforts.

"The number of people that could be served at this type of facility is astonishing," Farrell said. "There are 179,000 intercity passenger trips each year. Bringing this number of people into the heart of Downtown would enhance the area."

The board expressed its gratitude to Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who has worked with TCAT to get funds earmarked in the 2000 and 2001 federal budgets to allow such a center to be developed. "The TCAT board is anxious to be an active participant in the research, planning, design, and construction efforts," said Farrell.

A copy of the board's resolution follows:

Resolution in support of a Downtown Intermodal Transportation Center

Whereas, Downtown Ithaca is the focal point of the TCAT system where 28 of TCAT's 37 routes connect, and

• Whereas, downtown areas throughout the US are developing intermodal transportation centers that integrate local transit services with intercity bus service, rail service and taxi service and provide a secure place where bicycles can be parked and stored, and
• Whereas, such centers provide an increased level of customer service and information in settings that are attractive and secure, and
• Whereas, a downtown transportation center would provide an important gateway to Ithaca for visitors and residents while addressing the thriving market for intercity and local transit service, and
• Whereas, such a center would enhance the City's economic development efforts in the downtown by integrating approximately 179,000 intercity passenger trips per year with TCAT's prime transfer stop carrying 253,000 passengers each year, and
• Whereas, funding for the development of such a center has been earmarked in the FY 2000 and 2001 federal budgets,
• Now, be it resolved by the TCAT Board of Directors, that the concept of a Downtown Intermodal Transportation Center is endorsed without approving a specific location, and
• Be it further resolved, that staff is authorized to continue to work with the City of Ithaca as key downtown development projects are advanced to include the Center as part of such developments.

Adopted, this the 19th day of July, 2001. Kate O'Gorman, Recording Secretary.