Ithaca Hours Accepted by Local Transit System

Reposted from http://ccmag.net/PDF/Community-Currency-Magazine-Dec-09.pdf

This event occurred back in August of 2009, but it did not get much press. I’m reprinting the notes from the board’s approval below because I think this is a very important matter. As far as we know, this is the first time in the United States that a public transit system has accepted payment in a local nongovernment issue community currency. While the text below is kind of boring, please stop and think about what you are reading...this was a landmark event. This offers strong proof that local currencies have real value in the communities where they circulate. This even creates a precedent for other future communities. Perhaps next year we may see a partial payment for real estate tax or business licensing? After reading this, please open your email, twitter or text messaging and discuss this event with friends or associates.

TCAT, Inc (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc.) is a not-for-profit corporation that provides public
transportation for Tompkins County New York and portions of Tioga and Schuyler Counties.
TOMPKINS CONSOLIDATED AREA TRANSIT, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday, August 27, 2009 4:00 PM TCAT Conference Room
737 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY
Action Items from Staff
Consider approval of Resolution {2009-09} Approval of Use of Ithaca Hours. – F. Proto presented Resolution
{2009-09}.
RESOLUTION 2009-09
USE OF ITHACA HOURS
WHEREAS, Ithaca Hours, Inc. has asked the TCAT Board to consider acceptance of Ithaca Hours from TCAT
passengers as partial payment for TCAT bus rides, and
WHEREAS, the mission of Ithaca Hours, Inc. is to support the local economy by keeping money in the community,
and
WHEREAS, TCAT’s acceptance of Ithaca Hours is likely to promote increased ridership among Ithaca Hours
members and users, and
WHEREAS, the TCAT Board wishes to begin TCAT’s participation in Ithaca Hours on a limited basis, with
the TCAT Board periodically reviewing TCAT’s participation to determine if it should expand the opportunities
for passengers to use Ithaca Hours,
NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, that the TCAT Board authorizes TCAT to become a member of
Ithaca Hours, Inc., and to accept up to one-half (1/2) of an Ithaca Hour (1/2 Ithaca Hour = $5.00) as partial
payment for a monthly bus pass, with the balance of the pass cost paid in U.S. currency.
Adopted by the TCAT Board of Directors on this the 27th day of August, 2009.
The resolution to approve the Use of Ithaca Hours was moved by K. Luz Herrera; and seconded by H. Dullea.
Discussion followed. The motion passed unanimously.