LATS Celebrates Grand Opening
RGRTA Celebrates Grand Opening of Two Million Dollar Operations Center in Livingston County
US Representative Tom Reynolds Secured Federal Money for Project
GROVELAND, NY. –The Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority celebrated the grand opening of the new Livingston Area Transportation Service (LATS) Operations Center at Hampton Corners on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Planning for the new facility began in 1998. “This has been a long time in the making, and we have Congressman Tom Reynolds to thank for making this possible,” said Mark Aesch, Chief Executive Officer of RGRTA. “Congressman Reynolds has long been a supporter of quality public transportation in Livingston County and throughout his district,” said Aesch.
Congressman Reynolds was successful in securing $1.4 million in federal funds for the design and construction of the Hampton Corners Transportation Center. "This facility is a tremendous asset for the county, the community and the entire state. We have been aggressive and will continue to be aggressive in seeking funding for our public transportation systems, said Congressman Tom Reynolds. “Investments in public transportation helps move people to jobs and tie our communities together. Hampton Corners will help expand the economic base of this region. This state-of-the-art facility will allow Livingston County to have better access to public transportation and economic opportunities."
New York State Assemblyman Joseph Errigo, Livingston County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Merrick, Livingston County Administrator Dominic Mazza, and RGRTA Commissioner Milo Turner joined the Congressman in opening the operation center.
“Hampton Corners is a project that has had my support since day one. As the opportunities for economic development continue to grow in Livingston County, so does the need for public transportation. This new LATS operations center will better serve the quarter of million people that have come to depend on the service to get to and from work and school,” said Assemblyman Joseph Errigo. Assemblyman Errigo has represented the citizens of Livingston County since 2000.
“Development of the LATS facility here at the Hampton Corners Complex has created a gateway in Livingston County. This facility will enhance the transportation options for residents, and will encourage the economic development of the entire area,” said Assemblyman Dan Burling.
“On behalf of Livingston County Board of Supervisors I want to thank Congressman Reynolds for his support for LATS by providing the funding for the new operations facility at Hampton Corners” said Chairman James Merrick. “We are very excited to have LATS as our neighbors. This was a long-anticipated addition to our Hampton Corners Public Works Complex. So many of the people living and working in Livingston County have built their lives around this vital public transportation system.”
“Public Transportation is vital to the economic development of our region,” said County Administration Dominic Mazza. “By relocating from Dansville to Hampton Corners the new operations center will be centrally located in the county allowing us to operate more efficiently.”
The Hampton Corners Transportation Center will have 1400 square feet of new office space and 12,000 square feet of bus storage. “LATS has outgrown the 700 square feet of office space that our 32 employees must share,” said Aesch.
LATS saw an increase of over 17% in discretionary ridership last year and a 23% increase in 2004-2005. The recent increase in discretionary ridership has been influenced by the significant increase in gas prices. “Families and seniors with budgets already strained because of increases in utility costs and health insurance costs have made an economic choice to use LATS and save money”. LATS provided service to over 225,000 customers last year.
Livingston Area Transportation Service began in 1977. LATS is the largest and second oldest regional operation in Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority. LATS has a fleet of 27 buses and 25 professional drivers. LATS provides service throughout Livingston County, regularly scheduled medical shuttles to Rochester and local daily public service on the SUNY Geneseo campus and the surrounding Village of Geneseo.
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