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Broome County Transit, popularly branded as B.C. Transit, is the public transportation system serving Broome County, New York, which includes the city of Binghamton and surrounding communities.

Broome County Transit (BC Transit) (Tri-City Binghamton, Johnson City, Endwell, Vestal, Kirkwood NY)
BC Transit buses on the Binghamton University campus, May 2008.
Headquarters413 Old Mill Road, Vestal
Service areaBroome County, New York
Service typebus service, paratransit
Routes19
Stops900+
Fuel typeDiesel, Diesel-electric hybrid
Websiteridebctransit.com

History

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B.C. Transit was founded in 1968 when Broome County took over the assets of the private Triple Cities Traction Corporation, a takeover similar to those that took place in Rochester and Schenectady years prior. Unlike those city's transit systems, which became part of public benefit corporations, B.C. Transit is still owned and operated by the county (Department of Public Transportation) and is the largest such operator in Upstate New York (third largest overall in the state).

 
Logo for Broome Transit, 1968, by Swiss–Canadian designer Fritz Gottschalk
 
BC Transit logo on bus with black ribbon mourning the death of "B.C." cartoonist Johnny Hart.

Broome Transit originally used a logo designed by renowned Swiss–Canadian designer Fritz Gottschalk. At a later date, it rebranded as "B.C. Transit" and adopted the character Thor from the comic strip B.C., drawn by Endicott, New York native Johnny Hart.[1] The "B.C." is also based (very) loosely on one of the logos from that comic strip as well.[citation needed]

At the time of B.C. Transit's formation, they inherited the token stock of Triple Cities Traction Corporation and that company's predecessor, the Binghamton Railway Company[citation needed]. These same tokens, some dating back to the turn of the 20th century, circulated until B.C. Transit phased out the token at the end of 2005 when they went to electronic fare collection.

Routes and services

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City of Binghamton

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  • 3 Park Ave
  • 5 Vestal Ave
  • 7 Clinton St
  • 8 Front St
  • 9 BU Advantage
  • 12 Conklin Ave
  • 15 Leroy St
  • 17 Johnson City
  • 28 Robinson St

Other Triple Cities

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  • 35M Endicott (Binghamton to Endicott via Main St)
  • 35W Endicott (Binghamton to Endicott via Watson Boulevard)
  • 35x Express (Binghamton to Endicott via Main St But bypasses Oakdale Mall)
  • 40 Chenango St
  • 47 Vestal-Endicott
  • 57 Shoppers Special

Rural

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  • 51 Kirkwood Commuter
  • 53 Corporate Park
  • 55 Endwell Shuttle
  • 59 West Corners Shuttle

15 Leroy turns into the 5 Vestal at the Junction.

  • 17 Legacy Bay and 47 Vestal

Paratransit and other services

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  • B.C. Lift: Americans with Disabilities Act mandated service for those who are physically unable to ride regular fixed-route services and live within the B.C. Transit fixed-route area.
  • OFA Mini-Bus: Similar to B.C. Lift, but intended for persons age 65 and over, physical disability is not required. Service paid for by Broome County Office for Aging and operated by BC Transit.
  • B.C. Country: Dial-a-ride service for those who live in areas of Broome County not served by fixed-route transit service and meet certain other criteria.

Fleet

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Current fleet

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An Interior View of a B.C. Transit Orion VI

(All buses are Wheelchair-accessible Disabled access )


Year Manufacturer Model Fleet Numbers Engine Transmission Notes
2009 Daimler Buses North America Orion VII NG HEV 101-106 Cummins ISB BAE Systems Hybridrive 101, 103-106 are Retired.
2010 Daimler Buses North America Orion VII EPA10 HEV 601-606 Cummins ISB6.7 BAE Systems Hybridrive
2014 Gillig Low Floor 40' 701-707 Cummins ISL9 Voith D864.5
2017 Gillig Low Floor 40' 721-727 Cummins L9 Voith D864.6
2018-19 Gillig Low Floor 40' 741-748 Cummins L9 Voith D864.6 741-747 are 2018 Models and 748 is a 2019 Model.
2019 Gillig Low Floor HEV 40' 621-623 Cummins B6.7 BAE Systems HDS 200
2019 Gillig Low Floor 40' 761-765 Cummins L9 Voith D864.6
2021 Gillig Low Floor HEV 40' 641, 642 Cummins B6.7 BAE Systems HDS 200
2021 Gillig Low Floor 40' 781-783 Cummins L9 Allson B3400xFE
2024 Gillig Low Floor HEV 40' 661-665 Cummins B6.7 BAE Systems HDS 200

Future fleet

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BC Transit has signed a contract to purchase 6 Novabus LFSe+ Battery Electric Buses, expected to be in service by 2024.

Pending the announcement of Novabus departing the US market, these plans are in the air and in all likelihood Broome County Transit will aim to receive Gillig Low Floor Electric's instead.

BC Transit is anticipated to receive up to 4-6 Gillig Low Floor Hybrids in the summer of 2024.

Past fleet

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Year Builder Model Fleet Numbers Retired year & notes
1979 GMC RTS-03 101-106 (1st)
1982 Grumman Flxible 870 201-217 (1st) Retired in 1996-1997. 205, 216 sold to Oneonta Public Transit.
1997-1998 OBI Orion VI 201-212 (2nd) Retired in 2015-2017. Ex-CDTA buses purchased in 2008, 2070 and 2099 also purchased for use as a parts bus
1996 OBI Orion V 501-515
1987 OBI Orion I 01.508 601-617 (1st) 602, 607, 608, 610, 612 sold to Private Transportation
1968 GMC TDH-3502 701-707 (1st)
1986 OBI Orion I 01.508 720, 729, 741, 757 Ex-NFTA buses purchased in 1997
1968 GMC T6H-4521 801-814 (1st) 802, 804, 807, 809-812 sold to NFTA in 1987
2000 OBI Orion VI 801-823 Retired in 2017
1992 OBI Orion I CNG 01.508 900-902
2003 Gillig Phantom 30' 2001, 2006, 2007 Retired in 2019. Ex-HART buses purchased in 2015
1999 NovaBus LFS Suburban 3003-3005, 3010 Retired in 2020. Ex-CDTA buses purchased in 2015
1999 NovaBus LFS 3022, 3025, 3030, 9915, 9918, 9927, 9930, 9932 Retired in 2020. Ex-CDTA buses purchased in 2015, 9901 and 9925 were also purchased from CDTA to be use as a parts bus
1997 Gillig Phantom 30' ?? Retired in 2018. Ex-HART buses purchased in 2015
2007 OBI Orion VII NG HEV N/A Ex-MTA NYCT 1292, acquired from BAE Systems. Never entered service

References

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