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August 15, 2008

Public transportation first focus of new collaborative

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH -- Public transportation was the focus of the first meeting of the new Clinton County Economic Collaborative.

The idea is to develop a better system to help local people get to work and services.

LOCAL NEED

The Development Corp. Marketing Director Katharine Mulligan noted the corporation's goal is to bring jobs to the area, "but what if people can't get to those jobs?"

Adoré Flynn Kurtz, executive director of the Development Corp., said there is also a need to help sick people travel to medical care and the needy to services that can help them.

"We see this public-transportation initiative as something we need to do."

Kurtz said more and more companies looking to come to Plattsburgh are asking about the state of the public-transportation network. It's a big problem if potential employees are unable to get to jobs, she said.

"It would be good to overcome what some companies see as a problem," Kurtz said.

Clinton County Department of Social Services Deputy Commissioner John Redden said the department is constantly struggling for transportation for the needy. A lot of the department's funding is federal money for temporary assistance for needy families, not individuals.

While the department does get money for transportation, it's usually for repairs, insurance or gas coupons, the latter usually for an individual in crisis.

Social Services is able to provide money for short-term transportation assistance but not long-term assistance.

Rodney Brown, director of the Clinton County Planning Department, outlined what's available through the Clinton County Public Transit system. Buses run 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday to all corners of the county and throughout the city, with limited service on Saturdays.

Fares range from 50 cents to $2, with some higher charges for specialized services.

Brown said those prices are extremely competitive with a taxi ride and become even more attractive given the high cost of gasoline.

"We try to tailor our routes to be employment related, but that can't always be done."

HOT ROUTE

Brown said the most popular route is the Northern Express run, which goes from Plattsburgh to Champlain and Rouses Point, including a stop at Wyeth/Akrimax Pharmaceuticals. That bus is usually three-quarters full, while others are usually half to one-quarter full.

While it's not often easy, Brown said, routes can be changed to accommodate demand.

As an example, he pointed to a group of City of Plattsburgh residents who teach at Northern Adirondack Central School. When 15 of them said they would use the bus, the county was able to change the route's schedule to get them to and from work on time.

Brown said his department does an annual survey but only of the system riders.

More people who own a vehicle are now taking the bus, he said, at least partly due to high gas prices.

The key to continuing to increase use is consistency, Brown said, so people know the buses will run on time.

TOWNS' ROLE

Saranac Town Councilor Gerald Delaney said towns could work to establish routes through the many hamlets and get people to a central stop in each town where they could catch the county bus.

Mulligan suggested towns could explore the purchase of school buses that are due to be replaced to establish those routes.

BUSINESS APPROACH

Kurtz said one goal should be to conduct a public-relations campaign to reduce or eliminate the stigma of using public transportation. Employers should also be encouraged to offer employees incentives to ride the bus.

Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce Vice President for Economic Development Susan Matton said those campaigns should target the people who use the bus, but employers should also conduct a campaign to encourage riders. She suggested they start with employers who are already on the bus routes, such as Wyeth/Akrimax and CVPH Medical Center.

The collaborative should also incorporate ride sharing into its plans, she said. That is already going on informally, as there are several places -- such as the intersection of Military Turnpike and Jersey Swamp Road -- where people park their cars and ride together.

She said public transportation is going to work if it's convenient, cost effective and suits people's needs.

"We want to make it easier and more feasible for people to get to where they need to go," Matton said.

SURVEY PLANNED

The meeting ended with an agreement to have a needs survey done by the Technical Assistance Center at Plattsburgh State. It would be funded by The Development Corp.

dheath@pressrepublican.com

WHO'S WHO
The Clinton County Economic Collaborative is coordinated by the Development Corp. and is expected to meet quarterly and in working groups, as needed.
In addition to the Development Corp., proposed members include ARC of Clinton County, City of Plattsburgh Community Development Office, Clinton County, North Country Workforce Investment Board, Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, Cornell Cooperative Extension, County of Clinton Industrial Development Agency, CVPH Medical Center, JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties, Rouses Point Community Development Office, Senior Citizens Council of Clinton County, Technical Assistance Center at Plattsburgh State, Town of Champlain Industrial Development Agency and the towns of Saranac, Plattsburgh and Beekmantown.

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