Centro announced it has kicked off its 50th-anniversary celebration during an event at its Cortland Avenue facility in Syracuse, N.Y., where a celebratory gold bus was unveiled, according to the agency's news release.

The bus features Centro’s anniversary logo and tagline — Connecting Our Community Since 1972, along with a message thanking the community for five decades of support, according to Centro.

The celebration kicks off a series of events marking the transit agency’s 50th anniversary. Centro said the remainder of 2022 will feature stories about its past, and some of the people who have contributed to Centro.

“Centro has undergone numerous changes over the last 50 years, but one thing remains unchanged. The community’s expectation is that we provide them with safe, convenient, reliable transportation,” said Brian Schultz, Centro CEO. “I want to thank all of our employees, both past and present, who have played an integral part in the growth of this organization. To all of you who have driven buses and fixed buses, answered customer calls, responded to community needs and made sure that Centro runs efficiently each and every day. Thank you."

On May 12, 1970, the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CNYRTA) was founded by New York State legislature to enhance and improve public transportation in the region. Onondaga County joined the CNYRTA and CNY Centro Inc. was founded. On January 17, 1972, CNY Centro, Inc. assumed operations of the former Syracuse Transit operations. Centro’s mission, which was to create a regional transportation system that would later operate throughout four counties, was granted the option of expanding to neighboring counties and communities as practical, according to the news release.

“Centro understands the important role it plays in the economic development of our community. It’s a mission that we take very seriously,” said Christopher Tuff, deputy CEO. “We remain committed to providing this community with quality service for the next 50 years and beyond."

Centro said it will mark milestones in the life of the transit agency throughout the remainder of the year on its social media accounts, featuring stories about the people who have helped move people throughout Central New York over the past 50 years.