-July 25th 2025

Earlier this week, I helped facilitate a meeting with the steering committee of the Moving People’s Transportation Coalition. Our goal is to encourage the region to think more broadly about what public transportation in Syracuse can look like. The event brought together a range of voices, including representatives from Congressman Mannion’s office, Deputy Mayor Owens, staff from Senator May’s office, and many other respected community leaders.

It was a powerful conversation that left me feeling hopeful about what's ahead for Central New York. We covered a lot of ground, but one topic in particular stood out to me and feels worth highlighting: SMTC’s 2050 Transportation Plan.

Every few years, our regional transportation planners at the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Coalition (SMTC) release a long-term vision for how people will move through Central New York. It's called the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), and this new draft looks all the way ahead to the year 2050.

That sounds like a long way off, and then again, it does not. However, the choices baked into this plan, like the roads we widen, the bus routes we cut, the bike lanes we skip, and the train lines we choose not to pursue, will shape our region long before we get there.

The new Draft 2050 Plan is live now. And it’s asking for public feedback.

Here’s a screenshot from the full draft labeled: FIGURE 2.6: DISTRESSED CENSUS TRACTS AND AREAS OF TRANSPORTATION INSECURITY IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE

So what is it?

The MTP is basically a 25-year blueprint for how we’re going to move. That includes cars, buses, bikes, trains, and walking. It gets updated every five years, and the current draft includes everything from infrastructure and land use data to equity concerns and climate considerations.

They’re not just asking what roads to fix. They’re asking questions like:

  • How will Micron’s arrival change traffic and commuting patterns?

  • What infrastructure gaps are holding us back?

  • Will we invest in public transit or keep pushing it off for another day?

  • Can we connect neighborhoods without sacrificing safety or sustainability?

These are real decisions. They come with real money. And once the plan is finalized, it becomes the official guide for what gets prioritized and what gets passed over.

Public meetings are happening now

There will not be a formal presentation at any of the meetings and people are welcome to drop-in at any point during the scheduled times. The public meetings are scheduled as follows:

 Pre-registration is required for virtual meetings only.

 American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available at all meetings. Spanish interpretation will also be available at the Salt City Market meeting on July 29. Individuals requiring additional accommodations should contact the SMTC by July 22 at contactus@smtcmpo.org or 315-422-5716.You can also read the full draft and submit a comment online by August 29.

Here’s the link: smtcmpo.org/studies-plans/mtp2050

This is one of those government plans that sounds boring, but I’m learning that there are more transit nerds here in CNY than I realized. To me, it all matters. It affects almost everything in your daily life. Do we want a Syracuse region built around people, or built around cars? Do we plan for our kids, or just for traffic today?

We say we want a better Central New York. This is one way we prove it.

Click here to read the plan and leave a comment by August 29.