Jefferson County Public Transit launches July 9 to link rural communities
Operated by The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence, System Connects Riders to Heart of Watertown and Surrounding Counties
WATERTOWN, NY — Jefferson County Public Transit (jeffcopublictransit.com), operated by The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence, will launch on Jul 9.
The system includes four routes that link rural communities across Jefferson County with the city of Watertown and provides connections to St. Lawrence, Lewis, and Oswego Counties.
“The launch of our countywide transportation system has been a long time coming. This historic milestone is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by many individuals across our county,” said Ryan Piche, Jefferson County Administrator. “Today, that collective effort pays off as we celebrate greater accessibility and opportunity for every Jefferson County resident.”
The four routes that comprise Jefferson County Public Transit (JCPT) include the Black River Line, which starts in Watertown and reaches Carthage, Evans Mills, Sackets Harbor, and Henderson. The Northern Line goes from Watertown to Antwerp, Philadelphia, Evans Mills, LeRay, Fort Drum, and Gouverneur. The Seaway Trail Line begins in Watertown and travels to Depauville, Clayton, LaFargeville, Alexandria Bay, and Cape Vincent. Finally, the South Jeff Line also starts in Watertown and has stops in Sandy Creek, Adams, Adams Center, and Mannsville.
JCPT connects to St. Lawrence County via stops at Price Chopper in Gouverneur on the Northern Line. Riders can reach Lewis County Public Transit through the JCC Connector Route, available on all four JCPT lines and stopping at the JCC Jules Center or the Salmon Run Mall. Connections to Oswego County are available on the South Jeff Line through Oswego’s Route 10 at Tops in Sandy Creek.
“The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence is proud to expand upon our expertise as rural public transit operators to give people in the North Country more travel options,” stated Lynn Pietroski, Chief Executive Officer, The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence. “These routes support job seekers, students, people with disabilities, and older adults to access basic necessities such as grocery stores and job centers, which will make our communities stronger.”
Customers who are not within walking distance of a bus stop may schedule JCPT Connect service by calling Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. at 315‑782‑8024 on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requests need to be made 48 hours in advance.
Fares are $2 for a one‑way ride, payable on the bus. Multi‑ride passes are available for the following rates: 20 rides for $36, 30 rides for $53, and 40 rides for $68.JCPT operates Monday through Friday and serves most towns in Jefferson County. All buses are wheelchair accessible, equipped with bicycle racks, and open to all riders.
For more information, follow Jefferson County Public Transit on Facebook and Instagram or call 315‑779‑4BUS (4287.)
