![](http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/newyork/file-172-.jpg")
With dedicated restrooms, a sheltered waiting area and fab ceramic artwork by Margie Hughto, how could the Centro Transit Hub go wrong? Well, like any change, humans aren’t inclined to accept it immediately; with Syracusans it seems especially tough. But, nearly a month after the hub opened on Tuesday, Sept. 4, operations seem to have smoothed out, reports Steve Koegel, director of marketing and communications for the transit company.
“Any time you have change—people get used to do some things one way, so we’re having to adjust arrival and departure times here and there,” Koegel explains. “We have received feedback from our customers about changes we have made that we may want to look at. We’re gathering all that feedback, and we may be making some changes {to schedules} in February. We are helping customers with usability as well, and changing some of the designated bays to improve pedestrian flow.”
Currently, each bus pulls up to a curb designated just for that route—the hub can accommodate 22 buses at a time. And then once it’s time to leave, each bus can pull out; no more waiting for the bus ahead to make it through the traffic light at Fayette and Salina.
The hub represents quite a change for Centro passengers. For decades, all the buses would congregate—north, south, east and west—at Common Center, the corner of South Salina and Fayette streets. There passengers would reach their downtown destination or transfer to another bus. Throughout the day, the buses would line up in each direction, sometimes six deep, to be released at the same time. By contrast, larger cities’ buses run throughout the day, picking up and discharging—no lineups required.
While the practice was tolerated, it certainly wasn’t embraced. That’s why, Koegel says, the concept of a transit center dates back nearly 40 years. In September 2006 the site, where Warren and Adams streets meet, was chosen from a list of 14, and eminent domain proceedings were completed nearly three years later. Construction began in July 2011, and the hub opened the Tuesday after Labor Day. A few days later, demolition began at Common Center of the Centro infrastructure: shelters, benches and an information booth.
One misconception, Koegel reports, is that riders whose destination is downtown must disembark at the hub. “While the buses no longer stop at Fayette and Salina, we did maintain other downtown stops, especially along Salina. So if you work north of the hub, you don’t have to walk down Salina to the hub.”
Currently the hub is open from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and nearly 8,000 tranfers per day come through the hub. “Those hours are something we are looking at,” Koegel says. “In the morning and evening, people are getting to and from work, and are just transferring buses. During the midday, when the buses are more sporadic, is when people are using the facility.”
As for the $18.7 million facility itself, Koegel says that Centro is seeking Silver LEED certification. Its automatic heated platforms prevent icing and snow buildup; a storm water filtration system prevents rainwater from emptying into storm sewers and, ultimately, the lake; its overhead LED lighting can turn off and on during day and night depending on need; and low-flow plumbing fixtures in the restrooms mean a 32 percent reduction in water use.
Despite some early grumblings from advocates for the disabled, Koegel says Centro has worked to resolve the issues. “We had a meeting with them last week {week of Sept. 10}, and we came to an agreement, though we still have some work to do,” he notes. “We’re going to put 50 more seats in the hub, and we’re looking at color contrast and size of the signs inside the hub.”
