Monroe County’s ‘Code Blue’ Plan Expanded, Plus RTS To Offer Free Rides

As the temperatures continue to drop, Rochester city and Monroe County leaders shared some new resources for folks struggling to stay warm. In Rochester when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, a “Code Blue” is enacted. This means additional services are offered to protect folks from the frigid temps. This year, those opportunities are expanding. “So, as we move into the winter months let’s remember that caring for our community means protecting the most vulnerable among us. Everyone deserves a safe, warm place to stay and today this group of people behind me and those outreach workers who are working on the streets are taking meaningful steps towards making that a reality,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. During Code Blue months, individuals in need can request free transportation via RTS to a warming shelter in the City of Rochester at any bus stop. If the nearest shelter is already on the bus route, the bus will transport them directly there. If a participating warming center is not on the bus route, the bus will transport them to the RTS transit center – where an RTS employee will escort them to the appropriate bus route that will take them to a shelter with available space.

Here are the current warming center locations and whether they have RTS routes:

• Open Door Mission, 210 W Main Street, RTS Routes: 16, 17,18,19,20
• House of Mercy, 285 Ormond Street, RTS Route 3
• Saving Grace Ministries, 1140 Norton Street, Rochester, RTS Route 4,5
• Oak Orchard, 300 West Avenue, Brockport, NY *Opens Mid-December, No RTS Route*

For more information, click here.

Source: Rochester First