City of Ithaca, NY
05/03/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/03/2023 11:48
Ithaca Electric Transportation Access (IETA) Kick-Off Event
Ithaca Electric Transportation Access (IETA) Kick-Off Event
Community stakeholders are invited to the kick-off of Ithaca Electric Transportation Access (IETA), a project aimed at building a network of clean, electric transportation options to the city's disadvantaged neighborhoods.
The event, structured as an informational meeting, is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tues., May 16, at Coltivare, 235 S. Cayuga St. It will be hosted by TCAT, the project's manager, and its partners to include: Unbroken Promise Initiative (UPI); Ithaca Carshare; Ithaca Bikeshare; 211 Tompkins; the City of Ithaca; GoIthaca; Downtown Ithaca Alliance; and Golden Aspen Consulting of Ithaca.
The IETA plan includes the deployment of on-demand transit services provided by TCAT and UPI in the city's West End, West Hill, and the Ithaca Flats. The project also includes electric carsharing and electric bike sharing, along with sidewalk repairs, and the installation of EV charging infrastructure in the prioritized areas.
"Our goal is to level the playing field, to provide opportunities and improve the quality of life for those who are underserved - and that includes folks within the community who do not have vehicles - folks who live in places that a 40-foot bus can't get to, folks that do not have the same access as other community members," said IETA Project Manager Stephanie Freese of TCAT. "We want to make this happen with a fleet of smaller electric vehicles for on-demand - and a shared fleet of electric carshare vehicles and electric bicycles distributed throughout the community."
Those encouraged to attend the May 16 event include West End, West Hill and Flats residents, non-profit administrators and representatives from local labor organizations and businesses. The event is family-friendly and will include food provided by Coltivare with mac & cheese, ham and cheese sliders, fruit, green salad, gluten free salad and non-alcoholic drinks.
The project is supported by a $7 million award from the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in partnership with the NYS Department of Public Service (DPS) and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The prize was awarded in November 2022 under the program's Electric Mobility Challenge, to provide funding to projects that demonstrate electric mobility options that solve underserved community needs.
Accessibility accommodations: Please contact TCAT at least 5 business days in advance to request accessibility accommodations: Call (607) 277-(7433) RIDE | Email [email protected] or call 7-1-1 New York Relay for those with hearing or speech disabilities.
Transportation: If TCAT schedules and other transportation options available to you do not enable you to travel to the meeting, please let us know and we will make every effort to get you there: Call (607) 277-(7433) RIDE | Email [email protected] or call 7-1-1 New York Relay for those with hearing or speech disabilities.
Contact: Stephanie Freese, IETA Project Manager, TCAT, Inc [email protected]