Author: Staff Report

Beginning Monday, April 17th, Greater Glens Falls Transit (GGFT) will change the Route 11, Route 12, and Route 19 weekday bus routes until further notice. GGFT has alerted the other municipalities that will be affected by these changes… These changes are being made because of a shortage of bus drivers.

The Route 11 and Route 12 weekday bus route – which runs along Upper Glen Street to Aviation Mall and the Wal-Mart on Route 9 in Queensbury – will be replaced by the Route 19 weekday bus. The Route 19 weekday bus, which typically runs along Bay Street and Quaker Road, will now run along Glen Street, while also servicing Upper Glen Street, the Wal-Mart on Route 9 in Queensbury, and the Montcalm Apartments.

Not only will be the Route 11 and Route 12 weekday bus route be different, but also, the times of the new Route 19 weekday bus route will change:

• Route 11, Route 12 bus – normally at 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM – replaced by Route 19 bus at 9:30 AM
• Route 11, Route 12 bus – normally at 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM – replaced by Route 19 bus at 10:30 AM
• Route 11, Route 12 bus – normally at 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM – replaced by Route 19 bus at 12:30 PM
• Route 11, Route 12 bus – normally at 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM – replaced by Route 19 bus at 2:30 PM
• Route 11, Route 12 bus – normally at 3:30 PM – replaced by Route 19 bus at 3:30 PM

“Throughout the state, from the largest to the smallest communities, public transit ensures the basic level of mobility for the local population and for the economy,” stated Scott Sopczyk, the long-time GGFT Transportation Director who is due to retire at the end of May. “Without public transportation, there would be many residents who would be at a severe disadvantage.”

“Scott and his entire crew have done a phenomenal job keeping our GGFT bus schedule running at ‘full capacity’,” said Bill Collins, the Mayor of Glens Falls.  “And I can’t thank the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) enough for all of the help with loaning drivers and other personnel to GGFT over the last 24 months.”

“The challenges GGFT continues to have in hiring and retaining drivers and mechanics is no different than what any other industry is facing,” continued Collins.  “It’s a difficult decision to consolidate these bus routes now, as we know how much the region counts on our city’s transportation system.  Unfortunately, we’re looking at the potential of consolidating additional bus routes by month’s end. It is the real-life evidence as to why the merger with CDTA needs to come to fruition.”

“We’re facing these challenges when we’re heading into the busiest time of the public transportation year,” continued Collins.  “We’re doing everything we can to ensure our buses are running, because we understand they are a critical part in the summer economy in the area.”

For more information regarding this or any other issue, please reach out via e-mail at communicationsdirector@cityofglensfalls.com or tdrawbridge@cityofglensfalls.com.  If your issue is urgent or if you’re looking to speak with Mayor Collins regarding a formal comment, please call (518) 920-4884.

The sister-city relationship established in 1988 between Glens Falls, New York, and Saga City, Japan, will be celebrated next week as a delegation of nineteen people from Saga City, led by Mayor Hidetaka Sakai, will commemorate the 35-year relationship in Glens Falls.  It will be the first such commemoration since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The delegation will arrive Thursday evening, April 20th, for the 35^th Anniversary Celebration at the Queensbury Hotel, which will begin at 6:00 PM.  There’s a full schedule on Friday for the delegation, with a tour of City Hall and the Glens Falls Business District, including a stop at the Crandall Public Library.  After lunch at Davidson’s and a trolley bus ride to the Warren County Municipal Center, the delegation will be hosted by the Koh family for dinner. Members of the delegation will have a “free day” Saturday with their respective host families before meeting up at 5:00 PM on Saturday evening for the Farewell (Sayonara) Dinner at Morgan & Company.  The delegation will leave early Sunday morning.

“For the first time since 2019, Saga City will be visiting Glens Falls,” says Mayor Bill Collins, “and the support from our local community is fantastic.  Over the years, we have seen college students from SUNY Adirondack as well as high school and middle school students from Glens Falls, Queensbury, Lake George and Hadley-Luzerne who have participated in the exchange program.”

“Our cities have many things in common,” continues Collins.  “Both cities have similar industries, like paper mills, and our economies have experienced growth.  Both cities have an appreciation for history as well as education, both cities host high school sports tournaments, and of course, both cities are involved with Balloon Festivals.”

“Awareness is so important,” states Milly Koh, who moved to Glens Falls with her husband in 1978, and is part of the Sister Cities Committee of Glens Falls & Warren County. “We are giving everyone a chance to understand that we are not the only ones living in this world… We all live in different ways.”

“As you may know, a person who lived in Glens Falls was a crew member for a hot-air balloon team that was invited to Saga City’s International Balloon Fiesta in 1986,” continued Koh.  “The team had a fantastic time and were struck by the kindness of those who attended the Fiesta. And I’ll always be eternally grateful to former Mayor Frank O’Keefe, who agreed to developing the sister-city relationship with Saga City.”

For more information regarding this or any other issue, please reach out via e-mail at communicationsdirector@cityofglensfalls.com or tdrawbridge@cityofglensfalls.com.  If your issue is urgent or if you’re looking to speak with Mayor Collins regarding a formal comment, please call (518) 920-4884.