Weekday routes to be consolidated as the summer season creeps closer

GLENS FALLS, NY (April 14, 2023) – Beginning Monday, April 17, Greater Glens Falls Transit (GGFT) will change the Route 11, Route 12, and Route 19 weekday bus routes until further notice.  GGFT has alerted the other municipalities that will be affected by these changes.  These changes are being made because of a shortage of bus drivers.

The Route 11 and Route 12 weekday bus route which runs along Upper Glen Street to Aviation Mall and the Walmart on Route 9 in Queensbury will be replaced by the Route 19 weekday bus.  The Route 19 weekday bus, which typically runs along Bay Street and Quaker Road will now run along Glen Street while also servicing Upper Glen Street, the Walmart on Route 9 in Queensbury, and the Montcalm Apartments.

Not only will be the Route 11 and Route 12 weekday bus route be different, but also the times of the new Route 19 weekday bus route will change:

                                  Route 11, Route 12 bus – normally at 9:30am, 10am – replaced by Route 19 bus at 9:30am
                                  Route 11, Route 12 bus – normally at 10:30am, 11am – replaced by Route 19 bus at 10:30am
                                  Route 11, Route 12 bus – normally at 12:30pm, 1pm – replaced by Route 19 bus at 12:30pm
                                  Route 11, Route 12 bus – normally at 2:30pm, 3pm – replaced by Route 19 bus at 2:30pm
                                  Route 11, Route 12 bus – normally at 3:30pm – replaced by Route 19 bus at 3:30pm

“Throughout the state, from the largest to the smallest communities, public transit ensures the basic level of mobility for the local population and for the economy,” states Scott Sopczyk, the long-time GGFT Transportation Director who is due to retire at the end of May.  “And, without public transportation, there would be many residents who would be at a severe disadvantage.”

“Scott and his entire crew have done a phenomenal job keeping our GGFT bus schedule running at ‘full capacity’,” says Bill Collins, the Mayor of Glens Falls.  “And I can’t thank the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) enough for all of the help with loaning drivers and other personnel to GGFT over the last 24 months.”

“The challenges GGFT continues to have in hiring and retaining drivers and mechanics is no different than what any other industry is facing,” continues Collins.  “It’s a difficult decision to consolidate these bus routes now as we know how much the region counts on our city’s transportation system.  Unfortunately, we’re looking at the potential of consolidating additional bus routes by month’s end.  It is the real-life evidence as to why the merger with CDTA needs to come to fruition.”

“We’re facing these challenges when we’re heading into the busiest time of the public transportation year,” continues Collins.  “We’re doing everything we can to ensure our buses are running because we understand their critical part in the summer economy in the area.”