Senator Cooney Comments on Discontinuation of RTS On Demand
November 4, 2026
Senator Cooney is the Chair of NYS Transportation Committee
“Public bus service is a critical part of our regional transportation network, serving more than 10 million people each year and supporting over 1,000 jobs. The elimination of RTS On Demand is a direct hit to those who rely on its services each day and underscores the need for greater financial support.
As the Senate’s Transportation Chair, I secured a 7% increase in this year’s budget for upstate public transit funding and champion legislation that prioritizes keeping our communities connected. But we know it’s not enough. RTS must expand fixed-route services and I urge my partners in state and federal government to push for increased public transit funding so that parents can get their children to doctor’s appointments, neighbors can get to work, and older adults can access community resources. Upstate New York deserves better public transit, and I’ll continue pushing for ways to meet transportation needs across the Finger Lakes.”
