PLATTSBURGH -- Public transportation was the focus of the first meeting of the new Clinton County Economic Collaborative.

The idea is to develop a better system to help local people get to work and services.

LOCAL NEED

The Development Corp. Marketing Director Katharine Mulligan noted the corporation's goal is to bring jobs to the area, "but what if people can't get to those jobs?"

Adoré Flynn Kurtz, executive director of the Development Corp., said there is also a need to help sick people travel to medical care and the needy to services that can help them.

"We see this public-transportation initiative as something we need to do."

Kurtz said more and more companies looking to come to Plattsburgh are asking about the state of the public-transportation network. It's a big problem if potential employees are unable to get to jobs, she said.

"It would be good to overcome what some companies see as a problem," Kurtz said.

Clinton County Department of Social Services Deputy Commissioner John Redden said the department is constantly struggling for transportation for the needy. A lot of the department's funding is federal money for temporary assistance for needy families, not individuals.

While the department does get money for transportation, it's usually for repairs, insurance or gas coupons, the latter usually for an individual in crisis.

Social Services is able to provide money for short-term transportation assistance but not long-term assistance.

Rodney Brown, director of the Clinton County Planning Department, outlined what's available through the Clinton County Public Transit system. Buses run 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday to all corners of the county and throughout the city, with limited service on Saturdays.

Fares range from 50 cents to $2, with some higher charges for specialized services.

Brown said those prices are extremely competitive with a taxi ride and become even more attractive given the high cost of gasoline.

"We try to tailor our routes to be employment related, but that can't always be done."