On March 10, Chenango County residents advocate for the need for public transportation. At a Dec. board of supervisors meeting officials approved Cathay Express Transportation Services to be the Chenango County public transport provider for the next two years at an initial cost just under two million dollars, with repair costs and the addition of an out of county stop, yet to be determined. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

NORWICH - At the recent board of supervisors meeting, officials approved the return of public transportation for Chenango County in 2026.

The Board of Supervisors reviewed two bids submitted by the Committees on Public Works and Finance with the final selection being Cathay Express Transportation Services, who are now designated to be the Chenango County public transport provider for the next two years.

Clerk of the Board Sheri Howe reported the final cost to be estimate at just under 2 million dollars, at $1,977,300. The county will also have to pay the cost of repairing the current buses and will have the option of continuing the program with one year renewals after the first two.

The much needed community service has been on hold as Chenango County terminated its contract with the previous transit system, Transdev in 2024, leaving a gap in the area's publicly available transit system.

With funding from the New York State Department of Health and Transitional Assistance the board hired a consultant to fix the transit problem, leading to the current plan.