Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, also known as Tompkins TCAT, is a private, non-profit public transportation operator, created by Cornell University, Tompkins County, and the City of Ithaca. Tompkins TCAT operates transit service from Ithaca Mall, Ithaca Commons, and Cornell University to many destinations across the region.  

Headquarters Location

Tompkins TCAT bus garage and main headquarters building is located at 737 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY, 14850, right off of Meadow Street.

Routes

Thirty-four bus routes comprise the TCAT system. Routes are identified by number and are usually indicated on a marquee at the front of the bus, and sometimes on the side as well. TCAT’s main hub is Green Street Station, near Ithaca Commons, a two-block pedestrian mall in downtown Ithaca. Most non-South Hill routes run through the Cornell University campus as; East Avenue near Tower Road is considered a secondary hub.

 

  • Route 10 Cornell – Commons Shuttle
  • Route 11 Ithaca College – Commons
  • Route 13 Commons – Fall Creek
  • Route 14 Cayuga Medical Center – West Hill – Commons
  • Route 14S West Hill – Shopping
  • Route 15 Southside Shopping – Commons
  • Route 17 TCAT – Fall Creek – Commons
  • Route 20 Enfield – Commons
  • Route 21 Trumansburg – Jacksonville – Commons – Cornell
  • Route 22 Summer Special – Taughannock Falls, Cass Park, Stewart Park, Buttermilk Falls – Commons
  • Route 30 Shops at Ithaca Mall – Cornell – Commons
  • Route 31 Etna – Cornell – Winston Court
  • Route 32 Airport – Cornell – Commons
  • Route 36 Lansing School – Cornell – Commons
  • Route 37 Lansing Town Hall – Cornell – Commons
  • Route 40 Freeville – Groton – Cornell – Commons
  • Route 43 Groton – Freeville – Dryden – Cornell – Commons
  • Route 51 Eastern Heights – Cornell – Commons
  • Route 52 Caroline – Brooktondale – Cornell – Commons
  • Route 65 Danby – Commons
  • Route 67 Newfield – Commons – Cornell
  • Route 77 Mall – Warren Road (now a fixed route)
  • Route 81 A Lot to B Lot via Central Campus
  • Route 82 Hasbrouck to East Hill Plaza via Central Campus
  • Route 83 North Campus to West Campus via Central Campus (No Summer Service)
  • Route 90 Commons to North Campus via C-Town and Central Campus
  • Route 92 North Campus, West Campus, Central and Vet, C-Town and East Hill Plaza (Summer Only)

Bus Fleet Roster

The bus fleet compiles 54 buses mostly 40 feet long, with a few cutaway buses. The first two digits of the fleet number represent the last two digits of the year the vehicle was built. In the case of buses built between 2000 and 2009, only the first digit represents the year it was built. For example, 601 would be built in 2006, and 901 would be built in 2009. Following this, it’s clear that 1101 would be a 2011 model.

YearMake/ModelImageEngine/TransmissionFleet NumbersNotes
2005Gillig
Low Floor
IMG_0087.jpgCummins ISL/
Voith D864.5
2506EX-CAT Harrisburg
2011Gillig
Low Floor
IMG_0076.jpgCummins ISL/
Allison B400R-5
1104-1106, 1108, 1109, 1118
2011Orion
7.501
“VII 3rd
Generation”
IMG_0158.jpgCummins ISL/
Allison B400R-5
1110-1116*1115 retired due to fire
2015-
2016
Gillig
Low Floor
IMG_0152.jpgCummins ISL9/
Allison B400R6
1501, 1502, 1601-1605
2018Gillig
Low Floor
IMG_0095.jpgCummins L9/
Allison B400R6
1801-1811
2019-2021New Flyer
XD40
 121614614_2754222421565745_8078541472624645742_o.jpgEngine: Cummins L9/
Allison B400R6
1901-1909
2101, 2102
2019IC Bus/
Champion
Cutaway
Champion Defender Body1910-1912
2021Proterra
ZX5
Proterra TCATElectric Transit Bus2103-2109First Electric buses in the fleet
2022Ford E450/
Coach and Equipment Phoenix
Ford E450 Chassis2201, 2202
Tompkins TCAT Bus Roster as of January 22nd 2024

Notes:


*1115 sits inactive at the Garage, awaiting parts/retirement.