Rome N.Y. (NCC News) — The City of Rome is getting new investment from the state to modernize its bus routes, but the new way of getting around town has some residents frustrated.
A new $1 million state grant is changing the way residents can get around. Buses will run more frequently to popular spots like the Airport and Hospital.
“This grant will enable CENTRO to expand its service offerings and ensure that all riders, including those facing barriers, have equitable access to reliable transportation,” said Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan.
The real focus, though, is on a ride-share style app called MOVE.
You download it from the app-store and it basically works like Uber or Lyft. You input contact info and a payment method then drop a pin and book your ride. It runs between 6am and 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm on weekends. Rides to and from the Hub on West Liberty Street are $1 and any other ride inside the zone is $4.
Centro says it’s a convenient method of transportation for residents of the Copper city, but not everyone is as convinced. Mashon Baines tried using the service by calling over the phone but was stuck on hold for more than 30 minutes.
“I don’t like it, I think it’s inconvenient,” Baines said. “I wish I had the buses back.”
“The bus drivers would know my location, and if it was a different driver and they came to pick me up at my location, I would have a problem,” said Brenda Lanz, who worries about her privacy on the app.
Cost was also a concern for some residents we spoke with.
We stood at the Hub, where these buses come and go, for about 30 minutes. Four riders walked up to the bus, had a conversation with the driver, but never got on.
One reason for a lack of early adoption may be a disconnect between who rides the bus, and who is comfortable with the app.
An app that looks and feels a lot like MOVE to users is Uber. 65% of Uber Users are 16-34 years old. In Centro’s most recent published data (2018), which only covers the city of Syracuse, 52% of riders are over 35 and 20% are over 55.
We reached out to Centro for comment but did not receive a reply.
