RTS Genesee - Public Transportation

RTS Genesee offers transportation throughout Genesee County. Service is available Monday through Friday in Batavia and a variable schedule is followed for the rural sections of the County. Wheelchairs can be accommodated.

In the City of Batavia, “Loop Service” is available for individuals of all ages.  Several routes loop around the city to take riders to their destination.  Bus stop signs are posted near intersections where the bus will be stopping for pick-up or drop-off.  Buses run from the City of Batavia, out toGenesee Community College several times per day.  Regular fare is $1.00 for a one-way trip, and senior/disabled half fares are $.50 for a one-way trip.  A Medicare Card or a statement from a physician verifying one’s permanent disability is required to receive the half fare pricing.  RTS will provide a “senior & ½ fare” identification card for future use.  A personal care attendant can ride at no cost. 

“Dial a Ride” can be arranged within the City of Batavia for those of any age needing at home pick-up, Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Regular “Dial-a-Ride” fare is $2.00 for a one-way trip, and senior half fares are just $1.00 for a one-way trip.  Return trip also needs to be scheduled at time of booking trip.  A personal care attendant can ride at no cost. Rides can be scheduled by calling at least 24 hours in advance. 

County Rural Service: is available on the following days: 

1^st and 3^rd Monday:    Bergen, Byron, Elba & North of Rt. 5 (East of City)

      Every Tuesday:   Alabama, Basom, Oakfield,Corfu, Pembroke,TIR

1^st and 3rd Friday:     Pavilion,Bethany,Attica, Alexander & South of Rt. 5 (East of City)

Leaves Batavia 9:45 am (inbound trip) and 1:45 pm (outbound trip). This service allows travel within the named localities or from Batavia to the outlying areas per the above schedule.  This service has no age restriction.

The fee for rural service is $3.00 for a one-way trip with Senior Citizens at half fare of $1.50 per one-way trip. Rural service includes at home pick-up and return. A personal care attendant can ride at no cost.  Children up to 4 years of age ride for free.  There are no discounts for children ages 5-12 and children aged 12 and older pay full fare.

LeRoy/Stafford/Batavia Shuttle:  Daily Service (M-F) from Batavia to LeRoy and back, is available for 3 round trips per day and serves the area between Batavia to LeRoy with various pick-up locations.  The bus will stop for riders at any corner along Route 5 and will also pick-up riders at their home, if the location is within 3/4 of a mile from Route 5.  The cost for this service is $3.00 for a one-way trip, with seniors and disabled persons paying the half-fare rate of $1.50 per one-way trip.  A personal care attendant can ride at no cost. 

Town of Batavia:  Those residing in the Town of batavia, can access RTS Genesee on any public transportation service going through their area.  For the east side of the town, the LeRoy daily route can be used.  For the west side, the Tuesday Rural Service listed above.  For the north side, the first or third Monday service or weekly Tuesday Rural Service, depending on where you live can assist.  For the south side, the first and third Friday Rural Service would be the best option.  To determine which is the best service to use, call RTS Genesee for assistance.

Tuesday Shopping Trip- Paid for by batavia Tops Supermarket.  Every Tuesday, bus pick-ups start at 10 am at 400 Towers.  Additional stops are then made atWashingtonTowers and Havenwood.  Riders are then picked up at 11:30 from the Batavia Tops and returned to the pickup points.  The public is welcome to board the bus at any of the pickup points.  Additional pickup points at other Batavia housing complexes may be available, upon request, particularly from the Jerome Center Apartments, Monsignor Kirby Apartments and Park Place Apartments.  There are no bag restrictions on this trip.

For bus schedule information, contact RTS Genesee at (585) 343-3079.  More information is also available at their website, www.myrts.com/Genesee.

Medical Transportation

MAS (Medical Answering Service) is the agency which approves and arranges medical transportation throughout New York State for all individuals on Medicaid insurance.  Medicaid recipients MUST call 1-855-733-9404 to arrange any medical transportation needed.

Additionally, a person can arrange their medical trip at www.medanswering.com and click on "Order Online Transportation" to log-in or create a user ID. 

 **IMPORTANT NOTE** Riders using MAS can request their preferred provider. If available, MAS will book their trip as requested. For example, a person normally takes a volunteer driver to get to their doctor in Rochester.  The person should request the volunteer specifically.  If they want the same driver, but can’t remember who took them last, just ask customer service, as they can look this information up.    

Medical Transportation: Within Genesee County  (60 & older, Veterans, Day Care)

RTS Genesee: OFA Medical Transportation Program

RTS Genesee provides transportation to medical, dental and therapy appointments for Genesee County residents 60 and older. This service is provided Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. (on Monday and Friday, within the City ofBatavia, Dial-a-Ride may be able to provide service). Reservations should be called in at least 24 hours in advance, but no sooner than 30 days prior to the appointment, at (585) 343-3079. Trips are booked on a first to call, first served basis.  It is requested that individuals arrange their appointments to allow for pick-ups and drop-offs within the 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. time frame.   

The suggested contribution is $3.00 per round trip, but no one is denied service if they are unable to contribute. A contribution envelope will be provided by the driver each time a person uses this service. Contributions should be placed in the envelope and then put into the locked box on the RTS Genesee bus (driver can direct you to the locked box).  Or, riders can make a contribution by directly mailing a check to the Genesee County Office for the Aging, made out to the Genesee County Treasurer.

Medical Transportation trips are reserved for chemotherapy, medical/lab/testing appointments, doctor’s appointments and/or dental, vision or hearing appointments; and therapy visits on a limited basis with therapy rides restricted to two days per week, up to 8 weeks total.  Limited assistance can be provided to board the bus from the front door of the home/apartment building and from the medical/dental office. Please let RTS Genesee know you’ll need assistance when booking your trip. Personal care attendants ride at no cost.

Frail or disabled older adults who need more assistance in getting on and off the bus and/or require escort into the building, can call the Office for the Aging Transportation Coordination Program (585) 343-1611 to find out about other transportation which may be able to meet their need. 

Community Action Transportation Services (CATS)

Community Action Transportation Services (CATS) is funded inGeneseeCountyby The Community Foundation’s Muriel H. Marshall Fund for the Aging inGeneseeCounty. It offers adults 60 and older transportation to medical appointments, shopping and personal errands. This assisted transportation service helps frail individuals, who need a higher level of assistance getting in and out of their homes. Buses are lift-equipped and if needed passengers can enter via the lift, if climbing the stairs is not possible. The service is focused on destinations within Genesee County and weekly trips are made for out-of county medical appointments. CATSserves seniors in all areas of the county with a special emphasis on older adults residing in rural areas. There is no fee for this service, but contributions are accepted to support the program. Suggested contribution is $3.00 per round trip, in county and $15 per round-trip out-of-county.  One week notice is required.

Everyone requestingCATSservice must be screened by the Office for the Aging Transportation Program to determine that they are eligible for this service.  Once approved, individuals complete some paperwork to become registeredCATSriders.  For more information in qualifying for this specialized transportation service, contact the Office for the Aging at (585) 343-1611.

Genesee-Wyoming Veterans Transport Program 

The program provides medical transportation to Veterans receiving medical treatment through the VA medical system.  Primarily, Veterans in Genesee and Wyoming Counties are transported to VA medical appointments in Genesee County and Buffalo.  The program operates six mini-vans, including one van with a lift seat (to assist those who are not able to climb into the vehicle) and another wheelchair accessible van.  There is no charge for the service, but donations to the program are accepted.  The program is run by a group of 15 volunteers, who drive tens of thousands of miles each year.  Office hours are from 6:30 to 11:30, Monday through Friday, and drivers transport in the mornings and early afternoons.  For more information or to arrange transportation, call 585-297-1170. 

Transportation to the Genesee County Medical Adult Day Care Program:

Individuals attending Medical Adult Day Care at the Genesee County Nursing Home who are on Medicaid (either Community Medicaid or the Long Term Care Home Health Care Program) are eligible for transportation services through Medicaid transportation and the Adult Day Care Program staff can assist is arranging this transportation, should the person’s needs not be met through public transportation.  If a person is privately paying to attend Adult Day Care, the following will occur:

Private Pay, 60+ individuals:

Take a look at RTS service first.  It will depend on what days and times the request for transportation is.  If needs cannot be met, then look toCATS(Marshall Funded program).   IfCATScan not provide the service, look to Independent Living’s transportation program or other private services for hire. Participants must spend 5 hours at treatment and the hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Private Pay,under age 60:

First try RTS Genesee. 

If public transportation doesn’t meet the individual’s needs, refer the individual to Independent Living for their fee for service program or other private services for hire.

Transportation to Garden View Social Adult Day Program:

When family or friends are not an option for transportation, individuals wishing to attend Tender Loving Family Care’s Social Adult Day Care Program at Garden View may look to public transportation through RTS Genesee or assisted transportation through CATS.  If these options cannot meet the need, Tender Loving Family Care, Inc. also provides private pay transportation to the program.  The base rate for 1 individual attending the program would be approximately $20 per hour, plus 0.60 cents per mile. Day Program participant transportation can be coordinated with multiple participants, which would enable a split cost, making it more affordable. Call TLFC at 219-4777.

Medical Transportation: Outside Genesee County  (60 & older)

CATS Assisted Transportation for out-of-county medical appointments:

CATStravels to theBuffaloandRochesterareas weekly to provide medical transportation forGeneseeCountyresidents 60 and older.   There is a special focus on providing rides to individuals needing additional assistance or who require the use of a lift to board a vehicle, but these needs are not required. CATStravels to Buffalo on Tuesday and to Rochester on Friday mornings.  The suggested contribution is $15.00, which can be made on the bus.  Please arrange Rochester appointments in the early to mid-morning to allow necessary travel time. 

OFA Volunteer Medical Transportation

This service is provided by volunteers using their own vehicles and is available toGeneseeCountyresidents 60 and older who are unable to use public transportation or can not make private arrangements. This service is primarily for out-of-County trips. Arrangements can be made by calling the Office for the Aging Transportation Coordinator at (585) 343-1611 at least one week in advance.  The suggested contribution for this service is $15.00.

1. Request for rides must be made five (5) business days prior to the scheduled medical appointment date (Saturday and Sunday do not count asa business day). Same day requests for rides cannot be honored except inextreme emergencies.

1. To schedule medical transportation, please call the office for the aging at 343-1611 between8:30 a.m.and5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

1. NY STATE LAW REQUIRES THE USE OF SEAT BELTS.  Our volunteer drivers must insist you wear a seat belt.  If for some reason you cannot use a seat belt, a doctor’s statement releasing you must accompany you on all trips.  This is for your safety as well as the volunteer driver.

1. Cancellations must be called into this office as soon as you know you will not need a ride.  Our volunteers have arranged their schedules to accommodate your transportation needs and they need to know of any changes as soon as possible.

1. While there is no “charge” for this service, the Office for the Aging has set the following contribution guidelines: the suggested amount for a trip outsideGeneseeCounty is $15.00 and for a trip within the county is $3.00 per round trip.  Contributions are confidential and no one will be denied a ride due to an inability to pay.  Please do not pay the driver directly - we will send a statement of your trip(s) at the end of the month.  Checks should be made payable to the GENESEE COUNTY TREASURER and mailed to the office at2 Bank St,Batavia,NY14020.

1. Volunteers are not, under any circumstances, to be called at their homes by clients requesting transportation.  ALL requests must be made through this office for insurance purposes.  Please do not ask the driver to take you to your next appointment – we need to maintain flexible scheduling with our volunteers and may need them to go on a different trip that day.  This program is for medical/dental appointments ONLY – please don’t ask a volunteer to run errands for you.

1. Every effort will be made to provide a ride for you as requested; however, because this service is provided by volunteers, occasionally we may not be able to fill every request.  We also request that appointments be made no later than 2:00 p.m. as it is difficult to obtain drivers for appointments that require them to travel late in the day.  We cannot transport a client more than one time per week.  Please try to schedule accordingly.

1. Generally, the program may provide transportation services to appointments within a 45 mile distance from Batavia.  Requests made beyond this may be considered on a case by case basis. Locations that are difficult, unsafe or lengthy to travel to or to find drivers for may be declined for these reasons.

1. We ask that you inform us of any physical condition that may require extra assistance or if the use of any device such as a wheelchair, walker, or oxygen tank is necessary.  Our volunteers can only provide minimal assistance.

1. Transportation is for clients only.  If it is necessary for a friend or family member to accompany you, due to medical reasons, such as a hearing or comprehension problem, we must be made aware of this when you call to request transportation.

1. NOTICE:  Volunteer Medical Transportation of Genesee County Seniors Undergoing Medical Treatments-Rule of Practice:

If it’s anticipated that a client will need some assistance after receiving treatment, clients will be transported TO their medical treatment (example, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, etc.) only, unless accompanied by a friend or family member.  The client will be responsible for arranging their own transportation FROM their appointment in order to return home.  The reason for this is that driver’s are not in a position to ensure the client’s needs are met after treatment, should a situation arise on the way home.  

1. Most people who use this transportation program appreciate the time, dedication, and efforts of our volunteer drivers.  However, there have been isolated incidents when this has not been the case.  Please note that the Office for the Aging reserves the right to refuse service to any individual who abuses this program, or is otherwise disruptive to our drivers in any form.

Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities

Genesee ARC

Genesee ARC exists to support people with disabilities in partnership with their families and the community. Thanks to the ARC Transportation service, Genesee ARC is able to reach people throughout the Genesee and Orleans counties to provide programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.   Over 90 vehicles operate daily to service needs of individuals with disabilities.  Many of the vehicles are capable of transporting individuals in wheelchairs. Our certified drivers transport 220 individuals daily and travel nearly 200,000 miles per year. 

ARC is interested in expanding its program to include operating their fleet of vehicles during the hours of 9:30 am and 2:30 pm Monday through Friday.  This private hire option could include lift-equipped access and an aide, if necessary.  Cost will be determined on a case by case basis.   

For more information, please contact:

Paul Saskowski

3785 West Main Street Road
Batavia, New York 14020
(585) 343-4203
Fax: (585) 345-0526

Independent Living of Genesee Region

Effective January 2012, the Independent Living of Genesee Region, operated by WNY Independent Living, Inc. Family of Agencies, provides transportation services to individuals of all ages with disabilities.  Assisted transportation services are available to individuals with disabilities, their attendants, family members and advocates.  Individuals with a TABS number meet the eligibility criteria for diagnosis of a developmental disability.

To receive no cost services individuals must have a developmental disability, live with a family member and live inOrleans orGeneseeCounties. 

A fee-for-service transportation program is available for individuals with disabilities that reside inOrleans,Genesee orWyomingCounties.  The rate is $15.00 one way and .50 cents per mile.  Please contact WNY Independent Living directly for more information 716-836-0822 ext 126 or call the Genesee Region Independent Living Center at 815-8501 X 126.

Mental Health Association Program Participant Transportation (MHA)

The Mental Health Association is located at 25 Liberty Streetin Batavia, NY. Transportation has long been identified by mental health consumers in GeneseeCountyas an essential need.   MHA has two vehicles for consumers to utilize for medical and non-medical transportation requests including: to get into club, workshops, appointments, court, weekly laundry/shopping runs, and occasionally to school or a job.  This service is free of charge and available to Social Club members only.  For more information, please contact the MHA at (585) 344-2611.

Gillam Grant Transportation Services

Through the Gillam-Grant Community Center, program specific and special outing transportation services are available to Byron-Bergen School District residents by way of a 14 passenger bus (not lift-equipped).  Weekly grocery, pharmacy and other personal shopping trips are made to Brockport on Tuesdays and to Churchville on Wednesdays.  The fee for this service is $3 per passenger per round-trip and includes at-home pick-up and drop-off.   Through the Center’s community education programming, bus transportation is provided for special outings such as the Center’s once per month lunch club that visits various restaurants or Christmas time shopping trips to the Rochester area. The bus can be rented as well.  Gillam Grant provides the driver and based on mileage and the amount of time required, a quote is provided.  Please contact Cheryl Donovan at the Gillam Grant Community Center for more information at 585-494-1621.

Private Hire Transportation for Groups & Individuals

Tender Loving Family Care is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week for private hire of their 14 passenger bus, which provides a wheelchair lift, belted seats and air conditioning. Individual transportation can be arranged in as little as 24 hours and offers door through door service.  Group travel requires a 4 passenger minimum and can be arranged with one week notice or more, on a first come, first serve basis. Call TLFC at 219-4777 for more information. 

For groups please also see Gillam Grant & ARC above; Attica Bus and First Student, Inc. below.  For individual private hire see ARC above; Batavia Cab Company and Courtesy Transportation below.

Group Social Transportation

Social Transportation Program:  This program is made possible through the Genesee Senior Foundation, with funds from The Community Foundation’s Muriel H. Marshall Fund for the Aging in Genesee County.  Free bus transportation is available to groups of 4 or more seniors for social outings or groups up to one full school bus.  Day trips of up to 10 hours and no more than 240 miles round trip may be accommodated.  For more information or to arrange for a bus, call the Office for the Aging Recreation Program at(585)343-1611.

Transportation Coordination

The Office for the Aging Transportation Coordination Program is funded by The Community Foundation’s Muriel H. Marshall Fund for the Aging inGeneseeCounty. The program serves as a “one-stop” approach to help older adults and their caregivers understand and connect to available transportation options that meet their needs.  The program provides assistance in finding transportation services for medical appointments, pharmacy trips, grocery and other personal shopping; banking, running errands and social events. Additionally, the program seeks to bring individuals and agencies together to increase awareness and build partnerships for greater transportation efficiency and service provision.  For assistance, please call (585) 343-1611.

Additional Resources

Bus Companies

Attica Bus Services Inc.: 949 Creek Road, Attica, NY  (585) 591-2107

First Student Inc.:  413 E. Main St., Batavia, NY (585) 343-0018

Greyhound Bus Lines: 186 Cumberland St. Rochester, NY 14605   1-800-231-2222

       www.greyhound.com          

Taxi Providers

Batavia Cab Company:   Batavia, NY          (585) 813-4649

$8 flat rate service to travel anywhere within the City of Batavia; $5 is the senior flat rate.  Senior Rate Discount for those 63 and older.  No discount available for younger, disabled individuals. Service available throughout Genesee County. Can schedule a ride days ahead of time. 

Courtesy Transportation: Batavia, NY          (585) 409-0865

Started in the spring of 2015, a taxi service for Genesee County residents and beyond.  Owned and operated by Anthony J. Wood and Sammy P. Davis.  Hours of operation are Monday- Friday 3:30pm – 11pm, at this time (6/2015).  Daytime requests may be filled, based on availability.  Operates Saturday all day & Sunday by appointment.  Regular Fare is $6 one-way in the City of Batavia; Senior/Individuals with Disabilities/Military Fare is $4 one-way in the City of Batavia.  Drivers will load walkers into the car and help with bags, if needed. Taxi is easy to enter.  Accepts cash only.  Will travel out-of-county.

Limo Service

Mancuso Limousine Service: Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 268-6509  

S&S Limousine Service:  LeRoy, NY 14482  (585) 768-2388

Train   

Amtrak:  Depew, NY  1-800-231-2222          www.amtrak.com

Car Rental 

Enterprise Rent-A-Car:  Batavia, NY (585) 344-3100                        Revised:  06/10/2015