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CAN YOU CATCH A RURAL BUS?
Thomas F. O'Mara
June 24, 2015
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The future of public transportation in our rural, Upstate regions is being put at risk by Albany’s attempt at a statewide, one-size-fits-all approach to these local systems.
It’s a developing crisis for many rural residents. So we’re trying to bring more widespread attention to the changes underway, fully assess the consequences for our counties and do what we can to ensure that the impact on rural, Upstate public transportation at least receives a full and a fair hearing.
Legislation I'm pushing, which has already received the Senate's ok, would facilitate stronger state-local cooperation and communication on addressing this crisis -- an important step.
The legislation seeks to encourage counties and appropriate state agencies to collaborate on rural transportation solutions similar to recent interagency efforts to better address challenges in agriculture and other areas. It could produce revitalized, more efficient and cost-effective transportation plans in rural, Upstate counties where they’re being diminished but are badly needed by many residents.
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