Cortland County Mobility Management System

The Cortland County Legislature, with federal and state funding, commissioned a Transportation Needs Assessment to address concerns about both public transportation and human service agency client transportation services available to Cortland County residents. The study was undertaken and overseen by the legislature’s Transportation Advisory Committee. The final report, which was released in January 2009, by Nelson/Nygard Consulting Associates, Inc. took a close look at the current transportation system and made recommendations that would improve coordination among public and private service providers and expand transportation services both countywide and regionally.

Seven Valleys Health Coalition, with support from the county, applied for funding through New York State from the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (JARC) and the New Freedom program (NF). When funding was approved, Cortland County signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Seven Valleys Health Coalition to implement and manage project systems and services.

The objectives of the new Mobility Management System include:

1. Expanding and creating new transit services to meet low income worker requirements including employment, job training and child care services.

2. Expanding and creating new transit services that are designated to assist individuals living with disabilities, older adults and those who are economically disadvantaged.

Some actions that we have already undertaken or that are in the planning stages include:

1. Hiring a Mobility Management Coordinator to coordinate policy, act as an operations service broker and customer travel negotiator.

2. Enhance cross-system collaboration between public and private transit service providers.

3. Research, purchase and implement an Intelligent Transportation System to integrate public and private transit using new communications, monitoring, scheduling and dispatching technologies.

4. Conduct rider training to increase access and utilization of public transportation.

5. Design and produce literacy appropriate marketing materials and campaigns.

6. Research and plan to establish a Mobility Management Call Center.

7. Explore regional service potential, especially to Ithaca, Syracuse & Binghamton.

Any suggestions or comments concerning transportation issues in the county can be directed to Jan Dempsey, Mobility Management Coordinator, at 607-756-4198.