Tribe Will Conduct Study Of Public Transportation

ST. REGIS MOHAWK RESERVATION - St. Regis Mohawk Tribe members might have another way to get around soon.

The tribe is beginning to conduct a feasibility study about the potential uses and profits of a public transportation system. The study is being funded through a $25,000 grant from the federal Food and Drug Administration.

"The last couple of years, the tribe has wanted to explore this," said Steven B. Cook, tribal director of economic development. "This is an important step we need to do to see if it's worth starting before we just do it."

The tribe is beginning to interview residents about their interest in such a system to determine if the community would use it. Though no route has been discussed formally, drop-off and pickup locations might include the St. Lawrence Centre mall, other locations in Massena and Malone and links with other bus systems and routes.

The tribe has a bus for senior citizens, but it does not always meet the needs of the aging population. The proposed bus would be open for all tribal members to get them to banks, stores or doctor appointments, according to Mr. Cook.

"It's to support local residents and particularly with attention to senior citizens and persons with disabilities because what we've got is an aging population and decreased mobility," he said. "It's at the family's inconvenience and expense to go to Ogdensburg or Massena."

The study, which is being conducted by Wendel Duchscherer, a planning and design firm from Amherst, will be completed by mid-April.

"As people come forward to participate in the process, we're finding out about the need," Mr. Cook said. "I know there's cabs out there, but it's not always cost-effective for families."