GLOVERSVILLE - A new monthly bus pass for the Gloversville Transit System can save its riders about $30 if they ride the bus twice every day.
The program is targeted toward senior citizens, who make up about 60 percent of the people who use the transit system, but the pass is available to everyone, Transit Director Al Schutz said at a news conference Monday in which officials unveiled the pass at Nathan Littauer Hospital.
The pass is available to people age 62 and older at a cost of $60 per month and $65 to everyone younger than 62.
Bus fares for senior citizens are $1.25, while regular fare is $1.50 for stops in Mayfield, Broadalbin, Gloversville and Johnstown. Schutz said the buses run hourly routes in Fulton County.
The hospital co-sponsored the pass, contributing about $1,500 toward the project and playing a role in the design of the pass, said Schutz.
Susan Kiernan, vice president of development for Littauer, said a growing number of senior citizens relies on the transit system to get to appointments at the primary care facilities and hospital.
"We wanted to assure seniors that we're there for them, and this is one of the best ways to do it," Kiernan said.
Schutz said since many seniors are on fixed incomes, the once-a-month fee will make it easier for them to keep track of their finances.
The pass is meant to be kept for one year. It has a square for each month that is marked when the monthly fee is paid.
The pass is durable and waterproof and, if lost, can be replaced. Each pass is numbered and associated with the purchaser's information.
"Nathan Littauer Hospital is one of our major advertisers and sponsors, and we have three buses here [at the hospital] every hour," Schutz said. "The seniors have been asking for this. Most people ride it every day, and with this, the more they ride, the more they save."
Mayor Dayton King also praised the idea for the pass and the partnership between the city and hospital to offer it.
"Any time we can help, that's what we want to do," he said.
The pass works for rides to all of the hospital's primary care facilities, including the facility in Perth, but it does not work for rides farther than that into Amsterdam.
Regular fare for a round-trip to Amsterdam costs $8, according to the transit website, www.ridegts.com.
The pass may be purchased at the city Transit Services site at 109 W. Fulton St.
About 200 passes have been printed so far, and officials are considering offering an incentive price for people to buy the pass on a six-month basis.
For more information, visit www.ridegts.com.
Amanda Whistle can be reached at montco@leaderherald.com.
