Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority

What Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority does

Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) is a New York State-established public benefit corporation operating Regional Transit Service (RTS) across eight counties in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region — Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Wyoming — serving more than 18 million riders annually with a workforce of over 900 employees. Its core service portfolio comprises RTS Connect (fixed-route bus service with 10 frequent corridors including 15-minute headway on Route 22 Lake Avenue), RTS On Demand (demand-responsive micro-transit powered by the Via software platform deployed September 2022), and RTS Access (ADA-compliant paratransit with subscription options), supported by the $50 million climate-controlled RTS Transit Center opened November 2014, Connection Hubs for modal transfers, and newer Wyoming County and Seneca County operations facilities opened in late 2024 and April 2025 respectively. The fleet is undergoing a zero-emission transition anchored by 20 plug-in battery electric buses and the first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses deployed in New York State in October 2024.

The authority's revenue model is a hybrid of farebox, state operating assistance, federal/state capital grants, and advertising. Fares are anchored at $1 per ride with reduced rates for seniors, persons with disabilities, and children, plus free fares for veterans holding Veterans Outreach Center passes; GO Pass subscriptions and the RTS Go mobile fare-payment system (now accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay as of October 2025) provide recurring revenue. The authority discloses 49.6% dependence on New York State operating funds and historically receives 90% of capital project funding from federal/state sources, exemplified by the $10.3 million Wyoming County facility. Institutional partnerships — including dedicated commuter service to Xerox, high-tech bus stations at University of Rochester Medical Center, VA Clinic shuttle with Monroe County, and Code Blue warming-shelter transport — supplement the core ridership base of general public commuters, students, and paratransit-eligible riders.

Name

Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority

Legal name

Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority

Website

https://myrts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority is a New York State-established public benefit corporation operating Regional Transit Service (RTS) — fixed-route bus, on-demand micro-transit, and ADA paratransit — across 8 counties serving 18 million+ annual riders in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transit Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Special Needs Transportation (485991), Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (48521)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Transit Agencies (Bus, Rail, Metro, Paratransit) (BPAIALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Municipal/Transit-Agency Microtransit (First/Last-Mile Feeders) (TLAFAJAH), Employer/Corporate Demand-Responsive Shuttles (THAIAHAG)

Keywords

• Public bus transit
• Paratransit services
• Micro-transit on-demand
• Regional transit authority
• Fare collection systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Passenger Fare Revenue: RTS generates revenue from passenger fares including standard fares ($1 per ride), passes (GO cards, day passes), and reduced fares for seniors, persons with disabilities, and children. Also offers RTS Go mobile payment system.
2. State Operating Assistance: Primary funding from New York State operating funds. In recent budget, received 7% increase (falling short of 15% requested). RTS/RTS in Rochester has 49.6% dependence on state aid. Capital funding also provided for service expansion.
3. Transit Advertising: Revenue from advertising opportunities on buses, shelters, and transit facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

RGRTA operates Regional Transit Service (RTS), providing public bus transportation across eight counties in the Greater Rochester-Finger Lakes region of New York State. Core services include fixed-route bus service (RTS Connect), on-demand micro-transit (RTS On Demand), and ADA-compliant paratransit (RTS Access), serving more than 18 million riders annually through a fleet that includes hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell buses.

Product overview

Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) operates RTS (Regional Transit Service), a comprehensive public transit system serving Monroe County and seven surrounding counties (Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Wyoming). The core product portfolio includes: RTS Connect (fixed-route bus service with published schedules and stops), RTS On Demand (demand-responsive service powered by Via software), and RTS Access (ADA-compliant paratransit). Supporting infrastructure includes the RTS Transit Center in downtown Rochester and Connection Hubs for modal transfers. Fare payment is managed through RTS Go (mobile app and reloadable cards supporting Apple Pay, Google Pay, and VanillaDirect). Additional services include Pingo and special shuttle services like the VA Clinic shuttle. The system serves over 18 million customers annually with a fleet that includes hydrogen fuel cell electric buses and plug-in battery electric buses as part of its zero-emission transition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RTS Connect: Fixed-route bus service with frequent service on key corridors
• RTS On Demand
• RTS Access
• RTS Go
• Pingo

Products and services

• RTS Connect Fixed-route bus service operating on scheduled routes with published schedules and stops across Monroe County and surrounding areas, including 10 frequent routes with 15-minute headways on key corridors.
• RTS On Demand Demand-responsive micro-transit service allowing customers to request rides within designated service zones, powered by the Via software platform with mobile app, website, and phone booking options.
• RTS Access ADA-compliant paratransit service providing transportation for eligible customers with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route bus service, including subscription service options.
• RTS Go Fare payment system available as a mobile app and reloadable cards, supporting Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit/debit cards, and VanillaDirect retail reloads, with automatic fare capping for RTS Connect rides.
• Pingo
• RTS Transit Center Central enclosed, climate-controlled transit hub in downtown Rochester serving as the primary boarding location for RTS buses, housing customer service operations.
• Regional County Services Fixed-route and demand-responsive transit services operating in Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, branded under regional RTS names.
• Tap & Go! RTS Fast Pass Contactless fare card enabling faster boarding via tap on the fare box bulls-eye, replacing cash payment on buses.
• VA Clinic Shuttle Service Dedicated shuttle service from Marketplace Mall Hylan Drive Connection Hub to the VA Clinic on Calkins Road, providing veterans with transportation every 20 minutes, Monday-Friday.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses Zero-emission hydrogen-powered buses deployed as the first such fleet in New York State, supporting the goal of a zero-emission fleet by 2040, with 7-10 minute refueling and 275-325 mile range capability.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18+ million riders per year served across 8 counties
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Partnership with NYS DMV and Governor's Traffic Safety Committee to remind soccer fans to use safe transportation during World Cup watch parties.
• Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Partnership to promote safe ride options during major community events and watch parties.
• Thruway AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Regional transportation authority partnership for safety messaging during World Cup events.
• Monroe CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2025Monroe County Executive Adam Bello joined RTS CEO to announce new shuttle service to VA Clinic. County partnership for veteran transportation services.
• Veterans Outreach Center (VOC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2025VOC provides free bus passes to veterans which are honored on RTS services including new VA Clinic shuttle.
• Monroe County Code Blue ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2024During Code Blue (freezing weather) months, RTS provides free transportation to homeless individuals seeking warming shelters.
• Monroe County Veterans Service AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2024Partnership for unveiling themed bus honoring military veterans for Veterans Day parade.
• Teamsters Local 118coreOthers · 4 November 2024Teamsters union representing certain RTS workers; leadership participated in veterans bus unveiling.
• Congressman Joe MorelleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2024Federal representative joined hydrogen fuel cell bus celebration press conference.
• ATU Local 282coreOthers · 15 October 2024Transit workers union representing RTS bus operators; leadership participated in hydrogen bus unveiling and other events.
• New York State Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 202390% of $10.3M Wyoming County facility funded through federal and state government sources including NYSDOT.
• Monroe County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2023Monroe County Executive Adam Bello endorsed hiring of Corinda Reaves and ongoing collaboration between county and RTS.
• ViacoreTechnology or Integration · 22 September 2022Via provides the software platform powering RTS On Demand service, improving customer and employee experience. Platform is used in over 600 communities in more than 35 countries. Switch implemented September 28, 2022.
• XeroxcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2016Commuter express service to Xerox call center in Webster with evening/overnight shift service and weekend trips. Xerox and RTS thanked Governor Cuomo and legislators for funding.
• University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2016Six high-tech bus stations around URMC and College Town with heating, digital signage, real-time arrival data, bike racks, and security features. Partnership to relieve parking congestion.
• Ontario County (formerly CATS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2014Ontario County transit service (CATS) officially joined RGRTA family, expanding 7-county service area to 8 counties.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo): IndyGo is a mid-sized city transit authority operating fixed-route bus service, BRT, and paratransit in Indianapolis/Marion County. Similar in scale and service mix (urban bus + ADA paratransit) to RTS Monroe operations and a useful scale benchmark.
• Spokane Transit Authority (STA): STA is a Public Transportation Benefit Area authority serving the Spokane metro region with bus and paratransit services. Similar in operating scale (~16–18M+ annual riders), funding model (sales tax + federal grants), and rural-on-demand extension efforts.
• Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA): GCRTA is a mid-sized multi-county public transit authority serving the Cleveland metro area with bus, rail, and paratransit services. Comparable in scale to RGRTA (~200+ buses, multiple service modes, multi-county footprint, state/federal funding mix).
• Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA): Greater Dayton RTA serves the Dayton metro region with fixed-route bus and paratransit services, comparable in scale (~10–12M annual riders) and in operating model (county-funded + state/federal support). Useful as a mid-sized regional authority benchmark for RGRTA's non-Monroe counties.
• VIA Metropolitan Transit: VIA operates bus and paratransit service across the San Antonio metro area with comparable ridership scale (~15–20M+ annual riders) and similar reliance on dedicated employer and healthcare partnerships. Direct comparable in service portfolio breadth.
• Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART): HART provides bus and streetcar service in the Tampa/Hillsborough County region, with a fleet and operating scale comparable to RGRTA. Shared characteristics include a publicly authorized regional authority structure, ADA paratransit service, and significant federal/state capital grants for fleet modernization.
• Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA): The other major New York State regional transit authority, NFTA operates Metro Bus and Metro Rail in the Buffalo–Niagara region. It is the most directly comparable state-level peer to RGRTA given similar funding sources, regulatory framework, and unionized operating structure.
• Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro): Centro is a New York State-designated public benefit corporation operating fixed-route, paratransit, and microtransit services across Syracuse and surrounding counties. It mirrors RGRTA's multi-county regional authority structure, ADA paratransit mandate, and state-aid funding model.
• Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA): CDTA is the New York State regional transit authority serving Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Montgomery counties. It is one of three NY State-designated regional authorities alongside RGRTA and NFTA/Centro, making it a direct regulatory and operating-model peer.
• Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS): MCTS operates fixed-route bus and paratransit service for Milwaukee County with similar scale and a comparable mix of county/municipal funding. Has been an early adopter of zero-emission bus deployment, making it a useful fleet-transition peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/enjoyRTS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/enjoytherideRTS
• Facebookfacebook.com/enjoyRTS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rochester-genesee-regional-transportation-authority-rgrta-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority