named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Route 10
Downtown-Cornell Loop service connecting Ithaca Commons, University Avenue, and Cornell University campuses Monday through Friday
Route 11
South Hill and Ithaca College service including stops at South Hill Elementary, IC Garden Apts, Roy Park School, and South Hill Business Park
Route 11S
Weekend shopper route providing direct access from Ithaca College and South Hill to retail outlets including Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Wegmans
Route 13
Northside and Fall Creek loop serving Ithaca High School, Stewart Park, TCAT facility, and Guthrie-Ithaca City Harbor
Route 14
West Hill and Hospital route connecting Ithaca Commons to Cayuga Medical Center with stops at Whispering Woods Apts, LACS, West Village, and other residential areas
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Student and Camp Transportation Services 3 activities
- Offer transit access to key community destinationsProvides public transit access to essential locations including Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, Cornell University, Ithaca College, Aldi stores, Ithaca Farmers Market, and seasonal markets via designated bus routes.
- Provide accommodations for cyclists and military personnelEquips all buses with front-mounted bicycle racks to allow bike transport and provides free bus rides to Active Duty Military and ROTC students upon presentation of uniform or military ID.
- Provide fare-free and discounted transit for youth and studentsOffers fare-free bus rides to youth aged 13 and under and provides FreeRyde smart cards to youth aged 14–17 and older high school students through a registration process. TC3 students receive discounted monthly and 15-ride passes. FreeRyde cards are valid until the holder turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later.
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Snowmobile Trail Maintenance & Safety 1 activity
- Manage service adjustments due to weather and constructionImplements pre-established snow detours for multiple routes during winter storms and operates temporary detours and stop relocations due to road construction projects across the service area.
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Lost and Found Pet Reunification Services 1 activity
- Operate Lost & Found serviceOperates a Lost & Found service at its main office for passengers who have left personal items on buses.
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Non-Emergency Medical & Essential Transportation 1 activity
- Operate emergency ride home programProvides an emergency ride home program for commuters in the Urbanized Ithaca Area, offering transportation assistance when unexpected situations arise during commutes.
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Commuter Mobility Services 1 activity
- Provide real-time rider information and trip planning toolsOperates a real-time bus tracking system and mobile apps (myStop, Tfare, and eRide Ithaca) for route and departure information. Integrates with Google Transit to enable trip planning via Google Maps and provides downloadable system maps and seasonal ride guides.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Implement fare capping and mobile payment systemsImplements daily fare capping on rechargeable smart cards and the Tfare mobile app, allowing unlimited rides after two single rides are used. Offers mobile fare payment via the Tfare app with QR code scanning and sells various pass types through the main office and retail partners.
- Maintain flat fare structure and fare equityMaintains a flat fare system since 2019, eliminating higher fares for rural riders and keeping adult fares at $1.50 since 2012. Provides free transfers between routes to support multi-leg trips.
- Operate fixed-route public bus systemOperates 25 fixed bus routes serving the Greater Ithaca Area and rural areas of Tompkins County, with service scheduled 359 days per year excluding major holidays. Routes include weekday, weekend, and seasonal variations, with defined service periods for Winter-Spring, Summer, and Fall.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$31.54M
Contributions & grants$26.36M84%
Program service revenue$5.13M16%
Investment income$50K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$21.83M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$11.66M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$48.41M
Cash$8.20M
Investments$0
Liabilities$11.18M
Net assets$37.24M
Liquid reserves4.5 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +49.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| APRIL ADAMS | OPERATOR | 62 | $180K |
| TIMOTHY ELLIS | OPERATOR | 65 | $178K |
| JOSEPH MYERS | FLEET MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR | 55 | $172K |
| JAZEN VALENCIA | OPERATOR | 63 | $171K |
| MATTHEW ROSEN-BLOOM JONES | GENERAL MANAGER | 50 | $162K |
| GIAN FOUNTAIN | IT MANAGER | 45 | $130K |
| MERIDETH STANTON | CONTROLLER | 45 | $106K |
| SCOT VANDERPOOL | GENERAL MANAGER (PART YEAR) | 45 | $50K |
| JULIE ELLIS-GROVE | CONTROLLER (PART YEAR) | 45 | $14K |
board members · 9
- DEBORAH DAWSON — CHAIR
- DENISE THOMPSON — PAST-CHAIR
- DUCSON NGUYEN — DIRECTOR
- JENNIFER DOTSON — SECRETARY/TREASURER
- KELLEY COOPER — DIRECTOR
- LAURA LEWIS — DIRECTOR
- SHAN VARMA — DIRECTOR
- SHAWNA BLACK — DIRECTOR
- SUSAN CURRIE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 40
Who they work with
- 2-1-1 of the Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County Partner — Provides free bus passes to financially struggling individuals in partnership with TCAT.
- Avail Technologies, Inc. Partner — Provides the myStop app for real-time bus information and rider alerts.
- Availtec Partner — Provider of the real-time transit information system used by TCAT.
- C TRAN Partner — Provides connecting service between Tompkins County and Chemung County communities.
- Cayuga Trails Club Partner — Collaborates on the TCAT to Trails project to promote transit access to recreational areas.
- City of Ithaca Partner — Collaborated with TCAT to relocate Route 10 bus stop to the 200-block of Tioga Street.
- Cornell Store Partner — Retail partner selling TCAT bus passes including 1-day, 5-day, and 15-ride options.
- Cornell University Partner — Collaborates on transit planning and student-created resources such as strip maps
- Cornell University Partner — Provides transit services for students and staff, with dedicated route information and coordination.
- Cornell University Partner — Subsidizes TCAT fares for students, faculty and staff by loading riding privileges directly onto university IDs.
- Cornell University Partner — TCAT provides transit access to Cornell’s West and Central Campuses via multiple routes.
- Cortland Transit Partner — Operates routes into Tompkins County with connections to TCAT services.
- Dryden Village Office Government — Municipal office selling TCAT bus passes including half-fare and monthly options.
- Genfare Government — Supplies TCAT’s fare collection system and fareboxes, funded by federal and state dollars.
- Genfare / SPX Technologies Partner — Develops and operates the Tfare mobile fare payment app for TCAT.
- Google Partner — Partners with Google to enable trip planning through Google Transit.
- Google LLC, Inc. Partner — Partners with TCAT to integrate real-time transit data into Google Maps for trip planning.
- Google Transit Partner — Partners with Google Transit to provide trip planning functionality.
- Green Star Partner — Multi-location retailer selling TCAT bus passes at its Dewitt Mall, West End, and Collegetown Crossing stores.
- Green Star Partner — Retail partner selling multiple types of TCAT bus passes at various locations in Ithaca.
- Groton Library Partner — Public library selling TCAT bus passes including 1-day, 5-day, 15-ride, and monthly options.
- Ithaca College Partner — Provides direct bus service to campus and student housing via Route 11 and Route 11S
- Ithaca College Partner — Provides subsidies enabling students, faculty and staff to ride TCAT for free via the Tfare mobile app.
- Ithaca College Partner — Provides transit services for students and staff, with dedicated route information and coordination.
- Ithaca College Partner — TCAT provides transit access to Ithaca College via Routes 11 and 65.
- Ithaca Electric Transportation Accessibility (IETA) Partner — Partners with IETA to provide on-demand transportation services
- Ithaca Tompkins International Airport Partner — TCAT Route 32 provides public transit service to the airport.
- Ithaca Town Hall Government — Municipal office selling TCAT 1-day, 5-day, 15-ride, half-fare, and monthly passes.
- Life Long Senior Center Partner — Community organization selling 15-ride half-fare passes for seniors.
- Life Long Senior Center Partner — Senior center selling 15-ride half-fare TCAT passes to eligible riders.
+ 10 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Early Transit Engagement for Lifelong Ridershipmethodology: early-transit-engagementBy offering fare-free transit access to youth, TCAT reduces transportation barriers and cultivates long-term public transit use in adulthood because early positive experiences with transit build habitual and sustained ridership.
- Integrated Multimodal Accessmethodology: multimodal_transit_integrationBy integrating public transit with active transportation and intercity services—through bicycle racks and co-located intermodal stops—TCAT expands mobility options because seamless connections increase accessibility and flexibility for diverse trip types.
- Real-Time Information Systemsmethodology: real-time_information_systemsBy providing real-time tracking and proactive alerts through digital platforms and mobile applications, TCAT improves service reliability and rider experience because accurate, timely information reduces uncertainty and enhances trip planning.