FREE BUS RIDES EXTENDED FOR SPRING 2024!
TCAT’s new fare collection system, launched in August 2023, continues to experience backend programming delays. As such, there is no capability yet for IC students to upload passes right onto their IDs and take advantage of generous subsidies that IC has been providing since 2010.
To continue the use of our treasured community transportation system and to ease the impact to the Ithaca College community, students can continue to ride for free during the Spring semester (now – through the end of May 2024) - just like employees are always able to do. Realizing the significant disruption and work-around required to accommodate the delay of the new fare collection system integration, Ithaca College has arranged to subsidize all student TCAT fees for the Spring semester.
To ride the TCAT system: All you need to do is show your ID to the driver when you board the bus. It doesn’t get much easier than that! If you forget your ID, you will need to pay the cash fare of $1.50 per ride (this goes for both students and employees).
What happens after May 2024? – Ithaca College and TCAT will continue to work on an online portal solution during the Spring semester, allowing students to purchase subsidized bus passes directly online. The portal will allow you to receive discounted bus fare once the free Spring semester program ends at the end of May. Stay tuned for more information on how to purchase your bus passes!
Spring Service Schedule – TCAT ride guides geared specifically for IC are available on the TCAT website (and take effect on Sunday, January 21). Just so you know, TCAT’s routes 11 and 65 directly serve campus, but your ID can get you on any TCAT buses wherever and whenever they are operating. Also note that if you need more than one bus to get to your destination, please ask the driver for a transfer slip. Riders are allowed up to two transfer slips to complete a continuous one-way trip. For a return trip to where you originally boarded, simply show your ID once again to the driver.
Late Fall service ends the night of Saturday, January 20. To see new Winter/Spring schedules go to https://tcatbus.com/bus-schedules
We will continue to assess Ithaca College’s bus fare subsidies as the new TCAT fare system is fully implemented. While there is always the chance that there will be additional system and supply chain delays, we appreciate everyone’s patience and hope you take the opportunity to use our bus system over the next few months when your fare is FREE.
If you have any questions or need help with planning your trip, please contact TCAT at (607) 277-7433 or email TCAT at tcat@tcatmail.com. TCAT also encourages you to download Google Transit trip-planning or real-time information apps. For more information, see TCAT’s app page.