Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The Centro Hub project in Downtown Syracuse has been years in the making, but in just a few weeks, the center of the city's bus operation will undergo a significant transition.
Centro is very close to moving its bus hub down Salina Street to a brand-new facility.
Centro hopes to open the hub on July 23. Almost everything under the canopy is set, however, there are a few small things on the punch list they’re tackling inside the building and a couple of adjustments to the traffic lights before the facility can officially open.
Centro Director of Marketing and Communications Steve Koegel says the new facility should provide a much smoother operation than their current set-up at the Commons Center.
He believes the new center will provide easier access to major arteries in Central New York, including I-81 and I-690, as well as enable safer merging for buses going in and out of traffic.
“The biggest focus is making it easier for our riders. They will no longer be crossing busy streets. They will have designated bus bays for their bus routes. They will no longer have to peer down a row of buses and figure out where their bus is,” Koegel said.
In addition, the facility will provide a covered bus terminal so personnel and riders are protected from Central New York’s inclement weather. The building is heated in the winter and cooled in the summer. New electronic signs inside will track up-to-the-minute arrivals and departures.
“So you know where to go every time. You know what time the bus is going to be there. Over here it’s like hit-or-miss with a lot of people,” said Antonio Miguel Colon, a frequent bus rider.
“I think it will be more organized. It’ll be easier for the supervisors to monitor,” said another bus rider, Wayne Thompson.
The switch will occur practically overnight.
“Everyone’s been waiting for it…customers…the business community…we’ve been waiting for it,” Koegel said.
The changes will primarily impact downtown routes. New bus-stop signs with routes, numbers, and street names will appear and Centro representatives will be on hand to help riders become more familiar with the changes.
