# Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc., usually referred to as TCAT, is a private, non-profit public transportation operator, created by Cornell University, Tompkins County, and the City of Ithaca to serve Tompkins County, New York. The vast majority of TCAT bus routes are based in the City of Ithaca and surrounding urban area. These routes serve Ithaca College, Cornell University, and Tompkins Cortland Community College. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 2,488,000, or about 8,000 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024.
As of 2019, TCAT operates 34 bus routes. Door to door paratransit service is provided by GADABOUT Transportation Services, Inc.

## History

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) was formed in 1998 by consolidating three public transit systems – Ithaca Transit (City of Ithaca), TOMTRAN (Tompkins County) and CU Transit (Cornell University) into a single system. In the 1960s the City and Cornell established independent bus systems which expanded throughout the next two decades. Service was first extended to serve Ithaca's suburbs in the 1970s, and to rural towns beginning in 1982. In 1974, a transit service in Northeast Ithaca (Lansing, Cayuga Heights and the Town of Ithaca) was started by apartment owners contracting with Swarthout Coaches to operate limited service for Cornell students, and as the public demand for service increased, the apartment owners sought assistance from local governments and Cornell University, which became Northeast Transit in 1978.
Tompkins County became involved in supporting suburban routes and in developing rural transit service. The County formed TOMTRAN to extend fixed-route bus service to Dryden, Caroline and Newark Valley in 1982, Groton (1983), Newfield and Ulysses (1985), and Lansing and Danby (1991). In 1999, TCAT initiated bus service to Enfield, the last unserved town in the county. In 1992, the city, Cornell and County built a $5 million transit facility to base transit operations and fleet maintenance including GADABOUT. In 1996, the New York State Legislature adopted a state law authorizing that "the county of Tompkins, the city of Ithaca and Cornell University may jointly provide for mass transportation services in the county of Tompkins.", and on April 1, 1998, the City of Ithaca, Cornell University and Tompkins County established TCAT as a joint venture (public entity) to operate public transit service in Tompkins County, service began in 1999, establishing a unified route and fare system. TCAT re-organized itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, TCAT. Inc. in 2005 with representatives of City of Ithaca, Cornell University, and Tompkins County serving on its board of directors.
In 1976, a consortium of municipalities and human service agencies formed GADABOUT Transportation Services to address travel needs of seniors and people with disabilities and today operates the Federally mandated paratransit service for Tompkins County. Although GADABOUT did not join TCAT in 1998, the two companies are still closely related, with GADABOUT leasing space and maintenance services from TCAT.

## Routes

As of December 2019, thirty-six bus routes comprise the TCAT system. Routes are identified by number and are usually indicated on a marquee at the front of the bus, and sometimes on the side as well. TCAT's main hub is Green Street Station, off of the Commons, a two-block pedestrian mall in downtown Ithaca. Most non South Hill routes run through the Cornell University campus; East Avenue and Tower Road near Uris and Statler Halls is considered a secondary hub.

### Urban and Suburban Services: Routes 10 to 17, Routes 30 to 32, Route 51, and Routes 70 to 77

Downtown and West Hill :
| Route # | Route Name | Terminals | Terminals | Terminals | Days of Service |
| Route # | Route Name | Outbound | | Inbound | Days of Service |
| 13 | Fall Creek – Mall – Commons | The Shops at Ithaca Mall The Shops at Ithaca Mall | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Green St. @ Commons | Monday – Saturday |
| 14 | West Hill – Hospital – Commons | Hospital Cayuga Medical Center | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Green St. @ Commons | Everyday |
| 14S | West Hill – Shopping | West Hill Overlook Apts. | ↔ | Walmart Walmart | Everyday |
| 15 | Southside Shopper | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Southside — Titus Towers — WalMart — Titus Towers — Southside — Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons)] | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Southside — Titus Towers — WalMart — Titus Towers — Southside — Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons)] | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Southside — Titus Towers — WalMart — Titus Towers — Southside — Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons)] | Everyday |
| 17 | TCAT – Fall Creek – Commons | TCAT TCAT Garage | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Seneca St. @ Commons | Everyday Irregular Service |
| 17 | TCAT – Fall Creek – Commons | TCAT TCAT Garage | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Green St. @ Commons | Everyday Irregular Service |
| 17 | TCAT – Fall Creek – Commons | TCAT TCAT Garage | ↔ | Cornell Vet School ARR:Vet School DEP:Boyce Thompson Institute | Everyday Irregular Service |
| 17 | TCAT – Fall Creek – Commons | TCAT TCAT Garage | ↔ | Hasbrouck Apartments Hasbrouck Apts. | Everyday Irregular Service |
| Note: Most TCAT bus routes serve the Downtown Ithaca Commons. Rts. 20 and 21 also serve West Hill. Select Rt. 36 services also serve Fall Creek. See "Rural Routes" section. ||||||
| Lower South Hill and Ithaca College ||||||
| Route # | Route Name | Terminals | Terminals | Terminals | Days of Service |
| Route # | Route Name | Outbound | | Inbound | Days of Service |
| 11 | Ithaca College – Commons | Ithaca College College Circle Apts. | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Green St. @ Commons | Weekdays Only |
| 11N | Ithaca College – Commons – Collegetown | Multi-Section Route Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) – Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) | Multi-Section Route Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) – Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) | Multi-Section Route Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) – Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) | Night Time Only |
| 11S | Ithaca College – Commons – Southside Shopping | LOOP Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) – Ithaca Commons – WalMart — Ithaca Commons — Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) | LOOP Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) – Ithaca Commons – WalMart — Ithaca Commons — Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) | LOOP Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) – Ithaca Commons – WalMart — Ithaca Commons — Ithaca College (College Circle Apts.) | Everyday |
| Note: Rt. 65 also serves Lower South Hill and Ithaca College. See "Rural Routes" Section ||||||
| East Hill, Collegetown, Cornell University, Cayuga Heights, the Mall, and Lansing Village ||||||
| Route # | Route Name | Terminals | Terminals | Terminals | Days of Service |
| Route # | Route Name | Outbound | | Inbound | Days of Service |
| 10 | Cornell – Commons | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Cornell West and Central Campus – Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Cornell West and Central Campus – Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Cornell West and Central Campus – Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) | Weekdays Only |
| 30 | Mall — Cornell — Commons | The Shops at Ithaca Mall The Shops at Ithaca Mall | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Seneca St. @ Commons | Everyday |
| 31 | Convenient Care – Cornell – Commons | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Cornell Central Campus – Convenient Care – Winston Court — Cornell Central Campus — Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons)] | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Cornell Central Campus – Convenient Care – Winston Court — Cornell Central Campus — Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons)] | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Cornell Central Campus – Convenient Care – Winston Court — Cornell Central Campus — Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons)] | Weekdays Only |
| 32 | Airport – Cornell – Commons | Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport Airport | ↔ | Ithaca Commons ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons DEP:Green St. @ Commons | Weekdays Only |
| 32 | Airport – Cornell – Commons | Northwood Apartments Northwood Apts. | ↔ | Ithaca Commons ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons DEP:Green St. @ Commons | Weekdays Only |
| 51 | Eastern Heights – Cornell – Commons | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Tower Rd. (Cornell) – East Ithaca – Eastern Heights (Skyvue @ Snyder Hill) – East Ithaca – Tower Rd. (Cornell) – Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Tower Rd. (Cornell) – East Ithaca – Eastern Heights (Skyvue @ Snyder Hill) – East Ithaca – Tower Rd. (Cornell) – Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) | LOOP Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) – Tower Rd. (Cornell) – East Ithaca – Eastern Heights (Skyvue @ Snyder Hill) – East Ithaca – Tower Rd. (Cornell) – Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) | Everyday |
| 70 | Mall – Cornell – Commons | The Shops at Ithaca Mall The Shops at Ithaca Mall | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Seneca St. @ Commons | Weekends Only |
| 72 | Airport – Cornell – Commons | Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport Airport | ↔ | Ithaca Commons ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons DEP:Green St. @ Commons | Weekends Only |
| 72 | Airport – Cornell – Commons | Northwood Apartments Northwood Apts. | ↔ | Ithaca Commons ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons DEP:Green St. @ Commons | Weekends Only |
| 77 | Warren @ Farrell – Winston Court – Mall | LOOP The Shops at Ithaca Mall (The Shops at Ithaca Mall) – Warren Rd. – Winston Court – The Shops at Ithaca Mall (The Shops at Ithaca Mall) | LOOP The Shops at Ithaca Mall (The Shops at Ithaca Mall) – Warren Rd. – Winston Court – The Shops at Ithaca Mall (The Shops at Ithaca Mall) | LOOP The Shops at Ithaca Mall (The Shops at Ithaca Mall) – Warren Rd. – Winston Court – The Shops at Ithaca Mall (The Shops at Ithaca Mall) | Saturday Only |
| Note: Rt. 13 also serves the Mall. See "Downtown and West Hill" section. Rts. 41, 53, and 75 also serve Cornell University. See "Rural Routes" Section. Select Services on Rts. 20, 21, 36, 40, 43, 52, 65, and 67 also serve East Hill and Cornell University, mostly during peak hours. See "Rural Routes" section. Select Rt. 17 services also serve East Hill, Collegetown, and Cornell University. Services are limited and irregular. See "Downtown and West Hill" section. ||||||

### Rural Routes (Former TOMTRAN Routes): Routes 20 to 21, 36 to 43, 52 to 67, and 74 to 75

| Route # | Route Name | Terminals | Terminals | Terminals | Days of Service |
| Route # | Route Name | Outbound | | Inbound | Days of Service |
| 20 | Enfield | Enfield Enfield Highway Department | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Green St. @ Commons | Everyday |
| 20 | Enfield | Enfield Enfield Highway Department | ↔ | Cornell Central Campus and Vet School ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute ARR:Dairy Bar DEP:Vet School | Everyday |
| 21 | Trumansburg – Jacksonville | Trumansburg Aubles Trailer Park | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Green St. @ Commons | Everyday |
| 21 | Trumansburg – Jacksonville | Trumansburg Aubles Trailer Park | ↔ | Cornell Vet School ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute DEP:Vet School | Everyday |
| 36 | South Lansing | South Lansing Lansing Fire Company #3 | ↔ | Ithaca Commons ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons DEP:Green St. @ Commons | Weekdays Only |
| 36 | South Lansing | Lansing High School Lansing School | ↔ | Cornell Vet School ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute DEP:Vet School | Weekdays Only |
| 36 | South Lansing | Lansing High School Lansing School | ↔ | Ithaca High School Lake St. @ Ithaca High School | Weekdays Only |
| 37 | North Lansing | North Lansing Lansing Fire Station #4 | ↔ | Ithaca Commons ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons DEP:Green St. @ Commons | Weekdays Only |
| 37 | North Lansing | Springbrook Apartments Springbrook @ Farrell | ↔ | Ithaca Commons ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons DEP:Green St. @ Commons | Weekdays Only |
| 37 | North Lansing | South Lansing Lansing Town Hall | ↔ | Cornell Central Campus ARR:Sage Hall DEP:Dairy Bar | Weekdays Only |
| 40 | Groton – Freeville | Groton Groton Express Mart | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Seneca St. @ Commons | Everyday |
| 41 | Etna Demand-and-Response (DAR) Zone | Etna DAR Zone | ↔ | Collegetown Schwartz CPA | Everyday |
| 43 | Dryden – TC3 | Tompkins Cortland Community College TC3 | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Seneca St. @ Commons | Everyday |
| 43 | Groton – Freeville – TC3 – Dryden | Groton Groton Express Mart | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Seneca St. @ Commons | Everyday |
| 52 | Caroline – Brooktondale | Caroline Caroline Turnaround | ↔ | Ithaca Commons ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons DEP:Green St. @ Commons | Everyday |
| 52 | Caroline – Brooktondale | Caroline Caroline Turnaround | ↔ | Cornell Vet School ARR:Vet School | Everyday |
| 53 | Brooktondale – Ellis Hollow – Varna | AM LOOP Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Brooktondale – Ellis Hollow – Varna – Cornell – Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) | AM LOOP Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Brooktondale – Ellis Hollow – Varna – Cornell – Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) | AM LOOP Ithaca Commons (Green St. @ Commons) – Brooktondale – Ellis Hollow – Varna – Cornell – Ithaca Commons (Seneca St. @ Commons) | Weekdays Only |
| Weekdays Only |||
| 65 | Danby – South Hill | Danby Hillview Terrace Mobile Home Park | ↔ | Ithaca Commons ARR:Seneca St. @ Commons DEP:Green St. @ Commons DEP:Aurora St. @ Commons | Monday – Saturday |
| 65 | Danby – South Hill | Danby Hillview Terrace Mobile Home Park | ↔ | Cornell Vet School ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute DEP:Vet School | Monday – Saturday |
| 67 | Newfield | Newfield Newfield Central School | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Green St. @ Commons | Everyday |
| 67 | Newfield | Newfield Newfield Central School | ↔ | Cornell Vet School ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute DEP:Vet School | Everyday |
| 74 | Groton – Mall | Groton Groton Express Mart | ↔ | The Shops at Ithaca Mall The Shops at Ithaca Mall | Weekends |
| 74 | Groton – Mall | Groton Groton Express Mart | ↔ | Ithaca Commons Green St. @ Commons | Weekends |
| 75 | Dryden – Mall | Tompkins Cortland Community College TC3 Dorms | ↔ | The Shops at Ithaca Mall The Shops at Ithaca Mall | Weekends |
| 75 | Dryden – Mall | Tompkins Cortland Community College TC3 Dorms | ↔ | Ithaca Commons DEP:Green St. @ Commons | Weekends |

### Cornell University Campus Services (Former CU Transit Routes): Routes 81 to 93

| Route # | Route Name | Terminals | Terminals | Terminals | Days of Service |
| Route # | Route Name | Outbound | | Inbound | Days of Service |
| 81 | A Lot – Vet School via Central Campus or Judd Falls Rd. | Cornell Vet School ARR:Dairy Bar ARR:Boyce Thompson Institute DEP:Vet School (Early Morning) | ↔ | Cornell Parking Lot A A Lot – Lower Stop | Weekdays Only Early Morning and Peak Time Only |
| 81 | A Lot – Vet School via Central Campus or Judd Falls Rd. | Cornell Vet School Dairy Bar (Peak Hours) | ↔ | Cornell Parking Lot A A Lot – Lower Stop | Weekdays Only Early Morning and Peak Time Only |
| 82 | Hasbrouck – East Hill Plaza via Central Campus and Tower Rd | East Hill Plaza East Hill Plaza | ↔ | Cornell Parking Lot A A Lot – Lower Stop (Except Morning Peak) | Weekday Only |
| 82 | Hasbrouck – East Hill Plaza via Central Campus and Tower Rd | East Hill Plaza East Hill Plaza | ↔ | Hasbrouck Apartments Hasbrouck (Morning Peak Only) | Weekday Only |
| 83 | North Campus – Central Campus via Cradit Farm Dr | LOOP Hasbrouck Apartments (Hasbrouck) – North Campus – Central Campus | LOOP Hasbrouck Apartments (Hasbrouck) – North Campus – Central Campus | LOOP Hasbrouck Apartments (Hasbrouck) – North Campus – Central Campus | Weekday Only |
| 83W | West Campus – Central Campus via Campus Rd | LOOP West Campus (Stewart @ University) – Central Campus (Uris Hall Across Street) | LOOP West Campus (Stewart @ University) – Central Campus (Uris Hall Across Street) | LOOP West Campus (Stewart @ University) – Central Campus (Uris Hall Across Street) | Weekdays Only Morning Peak Only |
| 90 | Collegetown – North Campus | LOOP Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Central Campus – North Campus (Robert Purcell Community Center) – Cradit Farm Dr. – Central Campus – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) | LOOP Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Central Campus – North Campus (Robert Purcell Community Center) – Cradit Farm Dr. – Central Campus – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) | LOOP Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Central Campus – North Campus (Robert Purcell Community Center) – Cradit Farm Dr. – Central Campus – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) | Everyday Night Service Only |
| 92 | North Campus – Collegetown – East Hill Plaza via Tower Rd | LOOP Hasbrouck Apartments (Hasbrouck) – North Campus – Thurston Ave – West Campus – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Tower Rd – Maple Ave – East Hill Plaza (East Hill Plaza) | LOOP Hasbrouck Apartments (Hasbrouck) – North Campus – Thurston Ave – West Campus – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Tower Rd – Maple Ave – East Hill Plaza (East Hill Plaza) | LOOP Hasbrouck Apartments (Hasbrouck) – North Campus – Thurston Ave – West Campus – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Tower Rd – Maple Ave – East Hill Plaza (East Hill Plaza) | Weekday Night Time; Weekends |
| 93 | North Campus – Collegetown – Eastern Heights via Hoy Rd | LOOP Hasbrouck (Hasbrouck Apartments) – North Campus – Thurston Ave – West Campus – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Maple Ave – East Hill Plaza – East Ithaca – Eastern Heights (Skyvue @ Snyder Hill) | LOOP Hasbrouck (Hasbrouck Apartments) – North Campus – Thurston Ave – West Campus – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Maple Ave – East Hill Plaza – East Ithaca – Eastern Heights (Skyvue @ Snyder Hill) | LOOP Hasbrouck (Hasbrouck Apartments) – North Campus – Thurston Ave – West Campus – Collegetown (Schwartz CPA) – Maple Ave – East Hill Plaza – East Ithaca – Eastern Heights (Skyvue @ Snyder Hill) | Everyday Night Time Only |
| Note: Day time only, Rts. 52 and 53 also serve the East Ithaca community. See "Rural Routes" section. ||||||

## Fleet

TCAT operates a mix of fifty-one 35 ft and 40 ft transit buses and three small 14-seat buses. All TCAT buses are wheelchair accessible. The fleet is composed of vehicles manufactured by Gillig, Nova Bus, New Flyer Industries, and Orion Bus Industries.

### Current fleet
## Fares

TCAT charges an adult fare at $1.50 for all trips. Cash customers are entitled to one free transfer upon request. Seniors and those with disabilities pay half-fare, as do children under 18. Additionally, up to three children, aged five or younger, travel free with an adult.

## Historical images

* Ithaca Transit Patch
* TOMTRAN Bus 1991
* TCAT Facility (Depot)
* TCAT scheme at night

## Sources

* ↑ About TCAT
* ↑ TCAT Bus – Fun Facts
* ↑ "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
* ↑ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
* ↑ "About TCAT". TCAT. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
* ↑ County Resolution No 152 of 1980 "Acceptance of Interim County-wide Transportation Plan", June 9, 1980, Tompkins County Board of Representatives.
* ↑ In Tioga County
* ↑ County Resolution No 32 of 1990 "Acceptance of Conceptual Design for Joint Transit Maintenance Facility and Authorizing Federal Section 18 Application", February 20, 1990, Tompkins County Board of Representatives.
* ↑ Article 5-I, Section 119-s-1 of the New York State General Municipal Law
* ↑ TCAT prepares for bus fare change and announces perk for CU employees
* ↑ "Late Fall Schedules: Check for changes in December)". TCAT. October 27, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
* ↑ TCAT system map