TCAT continues to cut transportation services causing an increase in disparity in an already disadvantaged community. The On-Demand Project is a West End community data-driven project, specifically addressing the transportation needs of youth and families in the underserved neighborhoods of Ithaca, NY.

Unbroken Promise Initiative was born out of the George Floyd protests of Summer 2020 which brought thousands of Ithacans into the streets demanding justice for those systemically and institutionally oppressed in Ithaca, NY. UPI is a 501(c)(3) neighborhood revitalization nonprofit seeking to address barriers to access, education, and equity in disadvantaged communities on the West End of Ithaca, NY.

UPI developed a plan to engage the community and address transportation needs on the West End. We approached TCAT, the local transportation agency, to discuss a partnership in bringing this plan to life. Members of both organizations met over the course of 2021-2022 to discuss the proposed programming and ultimately to write a grant proposal for the 2022 NYSERDA Electric Mobility Grant. In November of 2022, UPI and TCAT were awarded 7 million dollars in grant funding for this program. Unfortunately, our organizations have spent the better part of 2023 debating who has ownership of the On-Demand Project.

Recommendations have been put forth by outside agencies that UPI believes to be just and equitable. Unfortunately, TCAT has chosen to disregard these recommendations, drafting a subcontract that further impedes and infringes upon our underserved community's access to ownership and equity.

Please join us in asking TCAT to amend the subcontract to reflect a just and equitable agreement with UPI who is representing West End residents in alignment with outside agency recommendations.