By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
The Olean Area Transportation Service (OATS) will continue operating under an agreement reached between Cattaraugus and Allegany counties announced Wednesday.
The Olean Common Council voted in the Spring to discontinue the popular bus service due to delays in state reimbursement.
Cattaraugus County Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr, who led negotiations to keep the OATS buses running, thanked Allegany County Legislature Chairman W. Brooke Harris for his part in the agreement prior to the vote on the resolution Wednesday.
The three-year contract calls for Cattaraugus County to make payments of $300,000 in 2025, and $250,000 in 2026 and 2027 for Allegany County to coordinate and administer the OATS operation. OATS transportation partners include St. Bonaventure University, InTandem and the Seneca Nation.
Those funds are in addition to the $25,000 the county has paid OATS annually through the Department of Social Services. That contribution will now go to Allegany County, as will $92,000 in unclaimed state Department of Transportation mobility management funds designated for Cattaraugus County.
Majority Leader Kelly Andreano, R-Olean said the City of Olean “made it clear” it would no longer continue the OATS buses. “The County came in with a way to save it.” She added that the agreement “is good for the city and its partners and for the people who depend on the transportation service.”
Legislator Rick Smith, R-Olean, said, “Andy did a heck of a job. Allegany County will run it. It is a win for both counties and the city.”
In May, the Common Council approved a contract with Cattaraugus County to continue the OATS bus service through Dec. 31. The County advanced Olean funding to make up for lagging reimbursement from the state.
Besides the city, the OATS bus routes include Portville, Allegany and St. Bonaventure, and Salamanca, where it connects with Seneca Nation Transportation System buses.
Olean Mayor Bill Aiello said Thursday he was “very pleased that Cattaraugus County was able to work everything out with Allegany County to keep this vital transportation service going in our county. I’m happy for the residents of Olean that the bus service will keep going and possibly expand.”
The mayor added that “Andy Burr and County Administrator Jack Searles did a great job in negotiating the agreement.”
Legislators also authorized Burr to apply for more than $2.3 million in Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) funding from New York State — $1.1 million for the Olean Pines Nursing Home and $1.2 million for the Machias Pines. The county will pay $1,045,769 — or 45% — to the state. Upon receipt, the state will pay the county $1,278,162 before the end of 2024.
Members of the Public Works Committee sponsored a resolution supporting Operation Green Light, where public buildings are lit in green for active military service members transitioning to civilian life.
The Cattaraugus County Center in Little Valley, the Cattaraugus County Office Building in Olean and other county buildings were lit with green lights effective Wednesday.
“The Cattaraugus County Legislature appreciates the sacrifice our United States military personnel made while defending freedom and believes specific recognition should be accorded them in appreciation of their service,” the resolution reads.
“Whereas green is the color of hope, renewal and well-being, and the simple action of changing one light to green can spark meaningful conversation regarding the recognition of veterans and help ‘green light’ them forward as valued members of our communities,” it adds.
The resolution states that between 44% and 72% of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military live and are at high risk for suicide during their first year after discharge.
