September 18, 2026
By Hornell Deputy Mayor Jessica Cleveland
The City of Hornell is excited to announce the arrival of six new buses to the Hornell Area Transit (HAT) fleet. The buses were recently with communications and radio equipment and currently in service.
The buses were obtained through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 5311 Rural Transit Formula Grant, covering 90% of the $858,790 total cost, with the remaining 10% funded through New York State’s Accelerated Transit Capital (ATC) grant, ensuring no additional cost to local taxpayers.
Deputy Mayor Jessica Cleveland noted her enthusiasm for the buses to go into service, stating, “It’s a long road between the application for the buses, which was completed in November of 2022, to receiving these buses almost four years later. With awaiting the award, completing the procurement process, and the manufacturing of the buses, it’s been quite a journey to get here and we are so excited for these buses to go into service.”
These new buses are Ford E-450s capable of transporting 16 passengers and 2 wheelchairs and are each equipped with a lift rated up to 1,000 lbs. ensuring easy access for anyone with mobility challenges and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
HAT currently has 16 buses in its fleet, and with the receipt of these buses, six will be retired after racking up many miles and exceeding their useful life. HAT provides dedicated routes several times daily to Almond, Alfred, Bath, and Canisteo, and also offers Dial-A-Ride service within the City of Hornell and parts of the Village of North Hornell and Town of Hornellsville.
Transit Supervisor Kimberly Courtney stated her excitement, “Our bus service provides safe, reliable transportation to our community. Whether you want to save gas money getting to work, have difficulty accessing a regular vehicle due to mobility needs, or don’t have a personal vehicle, HAT provides a way to get around Hornell and the surrounding area. We are so excited for these buses to go into service, providing a comfortable, dependable experience for our riders and our drivers.”
Mayor John Buckley stated his appreciation, “We are thankful to our partners at the federal and state levels for the funds for these buses. HAT provides an integral service to our community, and acquiring these buses, with no additional cost to the local taxpayer, is a huge benefit for our community.”
For route information or schedules, visit HAT online at www.hatrides.com or call the office at 607-324-7910. HAT is also looking for drivers to join its team. If you are interested in driving for HAT and becoming part of the team that helps keep our community moving, contact HAT for more information.
