B.C. Transit was founded in 1968 when Broome County took over the assets of the private Triple Cities Traction Corporation, a takeover similar to those that took place in Rochester and Schenectady years prior. Unlike those city's transit systems, which became part of public benefit corporations, B.C. Transit is still owned and operated by the county (Department of Public Transportation) and is the largest such operator in Upstate New York (third largest overall in the state).
Logo for Broome Transit, 1968, by Swiss–Canadian designer Fritz GottschalkBC Transit logo on bus with black ribbon mourning the death of "B.C." cartoonist Johnny Hart.
Broome Transit originally used a logo designed by renowned Swiss–Canadian designer Fritz Gottschalk. At a later date, it rebranded as "B.C. Transit" and adopted the character Thor from the comic strip B.C., drawn by Endicott, New York native Johnny Hart.[1] The "B.C." is also based (very) loosely on one of the logos from that comic strip as well.[citation needed]
At the time of B.C. Transit's formation, they inherited the token stock of Triple Cities Traction Corporation and that company's predecessor, the Binghamton Railway Company[citation needed]. These same tokens, some dating back to the turn of the 20th century, circulated until B.C. Transit phased out the token at the end of 2005 when they went to electronic fare collection.
Routes and services
City of Binghamton
3 Park Ave
5 Vestal Ave
7 Clinton St
8 Front St
9 BU Advantage
12 Conklin Ave
15 Leroy St
17 Johnson City
28 Robinson St
Other Triple Cities
35M Endicott (Binghamton to Endicott via Main St)
35W Endicott (Binghamton to Endicott via Watson Boulevard)
35x Express (Binghamton to Endicott via Main St But bypasses Oakdale Mall)
40 Chenango St
47 Vestal-Endicott
57 Shoppers Special
Rural
51 Kirkwood Commuter
53 Corporate Park
55 Endwell Shuttle
59 West Corners Shuttle
15 Leroy turns into the 5 Vestal at the Junction.
17 Legacy Bay and 47 Vestal
Paratransit and other services
B.C. Lift: Americans with Disabilities Act mandated service for those who are physically unable to ride regular fixed-route services and live within the B.C. Transit fixed-route area.
OFA Mini-Bus: Similar to B.C. Lift, but intended for persons age 65 and over, physical disability is not required. Service paid for by Broome County Office for Aging and operated by BC Transit.
B.C. Country: Dial-a-ride service for those who live in areas of Broome County not served by fixed-route transit service and meet certain other criteria.
BC Transit has signed a contract to purchase 6 Novabus LFSe+ Battery Electric Buses, expected to be in service by 2024.
Pending the announcement of Novabus departing the US market, these plans are in the air and in all likelihood Broome County Transit will aim to receive Gillig Low Floor Electric's instead.
