RTS customers will see minor schedule changes to current schedules on May 4. Exceptions are a new route that was created to extend service to the 19th Ward and Monroe Community College campus, and a pilot route that will provide faster trips to the Walmart at Northgate Plaza.

Today, RTS CEO Bill Carpenter was joined by RGRTA Board of Commissioners Chairman Jim Redmond to announce that RTS will discontinue its partnership with the Rochester City School District when the current contract expires in June 2015.

RTS Chief Executive Officer Bill Carpenter will share future RTS plans and initiatives at a public information session set for Monday, April 27, at the Kate Gleason Auditorium of the Rochester Central Public Library, 115 South Avenue. The hour-long session begins at 5 p.m.

Bus stop efficiencies and new signage will improve safety, traffic flow and customers' top priority—on-time-performance, as RTS gradually begins to eliminate 25 percent of redundant bus stops along its routes and, at the same time, update bus signs with clear information that reflects recent route changes.

RTS and other transit agencies across the U.S. are asking customers to participate in a brief online survey about their bus service. Data from all agencies will be collected and combined to help guide the formation of a national benchmark of best practices in public transit and help improve service for customers.

RTS will join with the Genesee Transportation Council, and local leaders and transportation partners to participate in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) nationwide Stand Up 4 Transportation Day on Thursday, April 9 at 11 a.m. at the RTS Transit Center.

RTS, in partnership with the Rochester City School District (RCSD), has launched a revised transportation plan which puts more students on express service in the afternoon and eliminates the need for them to transfer buses at the RTS Transit Center.

Today, leaders and advocates are calling on the New York State Legislature and Governor Cuomo to support critically-needed transit systems throughout New York State and ensure that the final budget includes both capital investment and additional operating aid for upstate, and downstate, systems.

RTS customers are advised that some weekday morning trips on 23 bus routes may be canceled due to a temporary shortage of bus operators. The impacted trips are scheduled between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 7:50 a.m. Due to unusually high rates of illness and absence and more retirements than normal, RTS has a temporary shortage of @20 bus operators. As a result, customers are advised that some morning trips on these designated routes may be unavailable until further notice.

As part of RTS’ ongoing service development plan and based on input received during customer listening sessions, RTS is proposing to launch a new route that will double weekday trips and add weekend trips between the 19th Ward and Monroe Community College. The new route would also extend service to Brighton-Henrietta Townline Road from downtown Rochester.