Public Transportation To Be Offered Between Gouverneur & Watertown

Thanks to a federal grant, St. Lawrence County will be able to offer public transportation from Gouverneur to Watertown beginning next year.

The county received $150,000, which will go toward the purchase of two buses.

Each will seat at least 32 passengers and be wheelchair accessible.

The buses will run three times a day - in the morning, early afternoon and late afternoon.

The goal is to give residents a low-cost way to go to work and seek health care in Watertown.

“Gouverneur is the fifth largest area within St. Lawrence County with a population of over 4,100 where there is no form of public transportation in that location of the county. The need is so strong in this community,” said County Transportation Coordinator Nancy Robert.

The preliminary cost of a round-trip pass is $3 to $4.

It’s expected that the buses will make stops along Route 11 between Gouverneur and Watertown.

Watertown is working with St. Lawrence County to coordinate its city bus system with the new service.

Genevieve Hamilton of Gouverneur says she only drives into Watertown if she has a doctor’s appointment.

“But I would go more often if I could get there easier without having to drive because I love to shop in Watertown,” she said.

Adirondack Trailways offers bus service between Watertown and Gouverneur, but county officials say the times are inconvenient for workers and the trips are more expensive.

The county and state are also chipping in money to fund the new public bus service.

See Caroline Tucker’s report:

Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player.