Rochester Transit Corporation
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Defunct | 1968 |
| Fate | Transit operations taken over by municipal authorities and transferred to Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority |
| Headquarters | Rochester, New York , United States |
Key people | John F. Uffert (president), William A. Lang (president) |
| Products | Streetcar, rail, and bus transportation services |
Rochester Transit Corporation (RTC) was a private company providing streetcar, rail, and bus transportation services in Rochester, New York, and its surrounding suburbs from 1938 until 1968. Under contract, RTC operated the municipally owned Rochester Subway from 1938 through 1957. The organization’s leadership featured presidents John F. Uffert and William A. Lang.
History
The majority of Rochester’s transit routes were originally run by the Rochester Railway Company, which was acquired by New York State Railways in 1905. Following New York State Railways’ entry into receivership in 1929, a group of local investors led by attorney Howard M. Woods restructured the company to restore local ownership. This reorganization plan received approval from the Public Service Commission in 1937.
Rail to bus conversion
On August 2, 1938, RTC assumed control of the former Rochester Lines previously operated by New York State Railways. Beginning with the shutdown of the Genesee Street and Lyell Avenue lines in early 1939, RTC swiftly transitioned streetcar routes to bus service as a cost-saving measure.
- Bus/Trolley routes
- 1 Lake/Park
- 2 Thurston/Parsells
- 3 Lyell/Bay
- 4 Genesee/University
- 5 St.Paul/South
- 6 Jefferson/Webster
- 7 Monroe/N. Clinton
- 8 E.Main/Chili
- 9 Hudson/Mt. Read
- 10 Dewey/Portland
- 11 Joseph/S.Clinton
- 12 Goodman/West
- 13 Culver
- 14 Ridge
- 15 Norton/Britton
- 16 Emerson
- 17 East Avenue
- 19 S. Plymouth/Clifford
- 23 Titus
- 25 Subway
With authorization from the Public Service Commission in 1940, RTC discontinued the remaining trolley lines, including Thurston and Parsells in December 1940, Monroe Avenue and North Clinton in February 1941, and Portland and Dewey in March 1941. Streetcar operations ceased entirely on March 31, 1941, except for the Rochester Subway, which RTC continued to operate under contract with the city.
Postwar era
In 1943, the board pursued full local ownership by purchasing outstanding shares. John F. Uffert, serving as general manager, was appointed president and guided operations throughout World War II. The postwar period brought economic growth alongside labor challenges; notably, a transit worker strike lasting twenty-three days occurred in May 1952 over wage disputes and was settled through arbitration—establishing a framework for future labor negotiations.
By the late 1940s, ridership on the Rochester Subway had declined significantly, leading RTC to request financial assistance. A contract established in 1951 ended city subsidies in exchange for granting RTC all subway passenger and freight revenues. Despite this arrangement, operating losses grew, resulting in reduced Sunday and holiday service by 1952. In 1954, the city council decided to terminate subway operations by 1955 to convert the route into an expressway connecting to the New York State Thruway at Victor. The subway continued on a month-to-month basis throughout 1955; passenger service ended on June 30, 1956. Freight service persisted until August 1957 before being handed over to connecting railroad companies.
During the 1960s, increased ridership was supported by new bus acquisitions, the opening of Interstate 490 Eastern Expressway, and changes to downtown traffic patterns. Although shareholders experienced positive returns during this period, labor disputes remained frequent with strikes occurring in both 1965 and May of 1967 over issues including wages and seniority rights. Another strike commenced on November 30, 1968.
From private ownership to public control
The strike in November 1968 set in motion a series of developments that ultimately ended private management of the transit company. The extended labor stoppage during the holiday period compelled municipal authorities to initiate plans for the condemnation and acquisition of RTC's transit operations. The union agreed to the city's conditions, bringing the strike to a close on January 25, 1969. Despite resistance from RTC president William Lang, the city selected National City Management Company from Houston to oversee system operations. On May 23, 1969, Rochester Transit Service commenced managing the network. Later that year, the bus services were transferred to the newly established Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority.
Preserved rolling stock
The New York Museum of Transportation (NYMT) safeguards significant equipment once operated by Rochester Transit Corp., including RTC L-2, a Plymouth ML8 locomotive that handled switching duties for non-electrified freight; this unit is currently disassembled and awaiting restoration. The completely refurbished RTC "Casey Jones" Inspection Car is showcased during special occasions. The collection also features RTC 233, a General Motors TDH 5304 diesel bus. The sole remaining "Peter Witt" streetcar, RTC 1213, is undergoing an extensive restoration project at the Seashore Trolley Museum. Additionally, Rochester Subway Car 60 (RTC 60) is partially taken apart and actively being restored at the Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum.