Centro Considers Reducing Service To Balance Budget

Centro may be making changes to its bus service due to a $5 million budget deficit.

After years of revenue streams not keeping up with increased costs, the bus company says it will consider making significant changes in all of its service areas in April.

In Utica, Centro is considering reducing the frequency of service during weekdays on most routes and on weeknights would end service with 9 p.m. departures from the Utica Hub.

They would also eliminate weekly and 30 day Unlimited Ride Passes in Utica and Rome, but the Centro transit cash fare and Call-A-Bus fares will not be affected in any service area.

Centro will announce public hearings on the matter in the near future and say they will not make any changes until after all public hearings are completed.

They anticipate the hearings will be held sometime in March.