Lack of Bus Service an Issue for Cohoes Senior

By Randy Koniowka

At 71, Anna Marie Flanagan shows no signs of slowing down. The retired addiction counselor and resident of Vliet Street has more energy than some half her age. And like many Cohoes Seniors, she relies on public transportation to get around.

An avid bus rider, Flanagan purchases monthly passes from CDTA. And while some trips to parts of the Capital Region can take hours, Flanagan was content with the bus service. That is until one cold January morning when she received a letter from CDTA as she boarded the number 82 bus.

In a copy of the letter obtained by the Chronicle, CDTA states that, "it will operate its regular route service on holidays in accordance with State and Federal holiday schedules. This service allows for efficient and effective cost savings measures when fewer businesses are open and fewer people are riding the bus."

The holiday schedule is by all accounts an acceptable reduction in service for as CDTA points out, fewer people ride the bus on these holidays. The list includes such observances as Christmas and New Years. But added to the list this year is Martin Luther King Day, President's Day and Veteran's Day. While most Capital Region communities can live with the lack of service on holidays, Cohoes, which has no bus service on Sundays, is left with no bus service on these days.

For Flanagan, that means having to walk to Lansingburg in order to get a bus out of Cohoes. "We can't expect our seniors to walk to Lansingburg just to be able to get on a bus," says Flanagan.

The lack of service in Cohoes is not just a problem for seniors who need to get to out of Cohoes. As Flanagan points out, not everyone has the day off on State and Federal holidays such as Martin Luther King Day and President's Day. "People need to get to work. I talked to a women who spent 24.00 on cab fair to get to work in Albany on Martin Luther King Day. She ended up being 15 minutes late, and was almost fired. The importance is getting to work."

And Flannagan got to work. She started a petition for Sunday and Holiday service in the City of Cohoes of which to date, 119 have signed. She submitted letters to both Mayor John McDonald and Executive Director of the CDTA, Carm Basile.

Mayor McDonald shares her concerns. "It is a concern no doubt, especially with the swiftness of change. As chairman of the Capital District Transportation Committee, I am keenly aware of the challenges that all partners in transportation have. However, as Mayor of the City, I am concerned that recent cutbacks and further cutbacks will have a negative impact on our residents."

Flanagan even invited McDonald to ride the bus with her, to which he agreed. "No better way to understand the dilemma then to experience it for oneself," says McDonald. Executive Director of the CDTA Carm Basile has agreed to meet with Flanagan and the Mayor in hopes of finding a solution.

As for Flanagan, she is determined to stay the course. "I'm not letting this one go, I will take this as far as I need to take it, Albany, Washington, wherever."