Capital District Transportation Authority

Capital District Transportation Authority
CDTA Gillig Low Floor BRT hybrid in iRide branding.
Slogan iRide
Founded 1970 (previously United Traction Company in 1890)
Headquarters 110 Watervliet Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
Locale Capital District
Service area Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties
Service type

local bus service
express bus service
commuter coach service
bus rapid transit

para-transit (STAR)
Routes 59[1]
Stops 3,135[2]
Fleet 306[2]
Daily ridership 58,900 (2015)[3]
Annual ridership 16,890,700 (2015)[3]
Fuel type Diesel, Diesel-electric hybrid
Operator CDTA
(all except Northway Express)
Upstate Transit
(Northway Express only)
Chief executive Carm Basile
Website www.cdta.org

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is a public benefit corporation created by New York State, overseeing a number of multi-modal parts of public transportation in the Capital District of New York State (Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties). CDTA runs local and express buses, including an express bus service called BusPlus between Albany and Schenectady, and day-to-day management of three Amtrak stations in the Capital region–the Albany-Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga Springs Amtrak stations.

Created as an act of the New York State Legislature in August 1970, CDTA was formed similarly to agencies in Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. In 1970, CDTA purchased and took over management of the United Traction Company and Schenectady Transit.

CDTA bus operators, dispatchers, and supervisory staff are organized in Local 1321 of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU).

Governance

CDTA is overseen by a nine-member board of directors.[4]

At the present time, the board representation includes:

  • Three members representing Albany County
  • Two members representing Rensselaer County
  • One member representing Schenectady County
  • Two members representing Saratoga County
  • One member (non-voting) representing the labor unions

There is also an executive director that handles day-to-day business, reporting to the board of directors.

Fixed route services

System map showing service frequency (data from November 2009–March 2010)

CDTA operates 56 routes, many of which connect neighborhoods to downtowns or downtowns to shopping areas; with six routes linking key towns together. Two routes, 11-UAlbany Shuttle and 286-RPI Shuttle, are shuttle services for area universities which are also open to the public. Service mostly runs from 5:30 a.m.-12:00 a.m. weeknights, 6:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. Saturdays, and 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Sundays with the college routes running until 2:00 a.m. in Albany and Troy (with several RPI-only runs running until 4:00 a.m.).

Albany Division

A bus stop sign in Delmar (older style)

Before CDTA, many of these routes belonged to the Albany-Nassau Bus Company (Routes 32/33) and United Traction. Buses run from Capital Depot next to CDTA's headquarters on 110 Watervliet Avenue in Albany.

In early 2011, CDTA announced its plans to restructure the Albany County bus routes in two phases. Phase 1 involved reconstructing routes within the city of Albany, with a public input campaign held until August 2011. The results were five new neighborhood routes and three commuter routes. Its goal was to have a more uniformed bus system without any route deviation. Phase 1 of the reconstructing went into effect on November 13, 2011. In August 2012, CDTA revealed the draft plan for Phase 2 of the reconstructing. Phase 2 involved reconstructing routes within the western and northern portions of Albany County, with a public input campaign held until September 2012. Phase 2 of the reconstructing went into effect on November 11, 2012.

Route Terminals Major streets History Notes
1 Albany Bus Terminal Wolf Rd. & Colonie Center Central Ave., NY 5 Rt. 5 local service between Downtown Albany and Colonie Center
6 Broadway & Orange St. St. Peter's Hospital Whitehall Rd., Second Ave., South Pearl St.
7 Broadway & Orange St. Walmart - Glenmont Rt. 9W, River Rd., South Pearl St.
10 Broadway & Orange St. Crossgates Mall Western Ave., Rt. 20
11 UAlbany Draper Hall UAlbany Science Library Western Ave. Service only operates while UAlbany is in session
12 Broadway & Orange St. Crossgates Mall Washington Ave.
13 Albany Bus Terminal Price Chopper - New Scotland New Scotland Ave., Lark St., NY 85
18 Albany Bus Terminal Shoprite - Slingerlands Delaware Ave., Lark St., Cherry Ave., NY 443
100 Quail St. & Central Ave. Quail St. & Central Ave. Quail St., Livingston Ave., Pearl St., Morton Ave., Holland Ave. Replaced parts of Routes #3, #8, and #9 in November 2011
116 Broadway & Orange St. Mt. Hope Dr. Green St., Broadway, Van Rensselaer Blvd. Split from Route #6 and replaced part of Route #8 in November 2011 weekday service only
117 Twenty Mall British-American Blvd. Western Ave., Fuller Rd., Wolf Rd., Albany-Shaker Rd. Formed from parts of Routes #63, #90, #610 and #611 in November 2012
125 Albany Bus Terminal Central Ave. & Colonie Center Sand Creek Rd., Everett Rd., Clinton Ave. Replaced parts of Routes #2 and #3 in November 2011
138 Albany Bus Terminal St. Peter's Hospital North Pearl St., Livingston Ave., Allen St. Replaced parts of Routes #2, #8, and #30 in November 2011 No Sunday service
155 Crossgates Mall Albany International Airport Washington Ave. Ext., New Karner Rd., Watervliet Shaker Rd., NY 155 Replaced parts of Routes #610 #611, #612 in November 2012
214 Downtown Albany Greyhound Bus Terminal/Empire State Plaza Rensselaer County Plaza Washington Ave., 3rd St. Merged from Route #14 and #15 in May 2009
233 Broadway & Hudson Ave. Schodack Park and Ride Rt. 9, Rt. 20 Formerly Route #33 until May 2009 weekday service only
520 Broadway & Hudson Ave. Malden St. & Chatham St., Nassau I-90 Formerly Route #33x until May 2009 weekday express service only
712 Albany Bus Terminal Walmart -Crossgates Commons Washington Ave., Colvin Ave., Central Ave. Replaced parts of Routes #12, #56x and #90x in November 2011 limited weekday service only - provides service to the Harriman State Office Campus
719 Madison Ave. & Empire State Plaza Crossgates Mall Rt. 20, NY 146, NY 156, NY 85, I-787 Replaced parts of Routes #19, #21 and #63 in November 2012 limited weekday service only
734 Broadway & Orange St. Ohav Shalom Buckingham Dr., Hackett Blvd., Holland Ave. Replaced parts of Routes #4 and #30 in November 2011 limited weekday service only
737 Albany Bus Terminal British-American Blvd. Albany Shaker Rd., Everett Rd., Henry Johnson Blvd. Replaced parts of Routes #27 and #31 in November 2011 One seat ride from downtown to airport, limited weekday service only
801 Broadway & Orange St Myers Middle School Broadway, Lark St., South/North Main Introduced to provide service for Myers Middle School Only available when school is in session
813 Church St. & 5th St. Wolf Rd. & Colonie Center I87, I90, Rt 85, Wolf Rd. Shopping shuttle for service between Ravena, Colonie Center, and Crossgates Mall Runs only on Tuesday
870 Broadway & Bridge St. Washington Park Rd & New Scotland Broadway, Lark St., Washington Ave. Introduced to provide access to major venues across Albany Runs only on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights between Memorial Day & Labor Day

Former bus routes that were part of the Albany Division include:

  • #2 - West Albany (discontinued in November 2011 during Phase 1 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #3 - Quail Street (discontinued in November 2011 during Phase 1 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #4 - Pine Hills (discontinued in November 2011 during Phase 1 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #5 - Northern Boulevard (discontinued in May 2009 due to low ridership; merged with Route #6)
  • #8 - Arbor Hill (discontinued in November 2011 during Phase 1 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #9 - Whitehall Road (discontinued in November 2011 during Phase 1 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #16 - Downtown Albany Circulator (discontinued in January 2009 due to low ridership)
  • #17 - Four Mall Circuit (merged with Route #90 Troy/Latham during the late 1990s)
  • #19 - Voorheesvile Express (discontinued in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #21 - Altamont Express (discontinued in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #23 - Menands Bridge (discontinued during the late 1990s due to low ridership)
  • #25 - West Sand Lake/Averill Park (discontinued May 2009 due to low ridership)
  • #26 - Albany-Cohoes via Broadway
  • #27 - Corporate Woods (discontinued in November 2011 during Phase 1 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #29 - Albany/Latham/Cohoes (discontinued in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #30 - Hackett Blvd (discontinued in November 2011 during Phase 1 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #31 - Albany Shaker Road (discontinued in November 2011 during Phase 1 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #33 - Albany/Nassau (renumbered Route #233 in May 2009)
  • #33x - Albany/Nassau express (renumbered Route #520 in May 2009)
  • #34 - Albany/Castleton (discontinued in May 2009 due to low ridership)
  • #232 - former Route 32, Hampton Manor (discontinued in May 2012 due to low ridership)
  • #610 - Shuttle Fly (Colonie Center, Wolf Rd to Rt. 7 - discontinued in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #611 - Shuttle Bug (Crossgates Mall to Twenty Mall - discontinued in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #612 - Shuttle Bug (Crossgates Mall to Central Ave - discontinued in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #810 - Berne/Knox rural shuttle (discontinued in August 2012 due to low ridership)
  • #811 - Westerlo rural shuttle (discontinued in September 2009 due to low ridership)
  • #812 - Rensselaerville rural shuttle (discontinued in August 2012 due to low ridership)

Schenectady Division

Before CDTA, many of these routes were run by Schenectady Transit, which became insolvent and was taken over by Schenectady County in the late 1960s. Buses operate from the Electric Depot, located at 2401 Maxon Road Ext. in Schenectady.

On May 24, 2010 CDTA implemented five new cross-town routes for Schenectady as a part of their new service plan, removing routes 51, 52, 53, 54, 59, 61, 62, 66, and 77 and combining them into routes 351, 352, 353, 354, and 358 (Route 358 has since been eliminated due to low ridership). This is a part of their new three-digit route identification system. Routes 530, 531 & 532 are express services to Downtown Albany replacing the former 55x bus route and do not carry any local passengers (Route 532 was combined with Route 531 on November 13, 2011).

Route Terminals Major streets History Notes
351 Golub Corp. Gerling St. & Sheridan Ave. Broadway, Van Vranken Ave. Replaced parts of Routes #51 and #61 in May 2010 No Sunday service
352 Price Chopper - Altamont Ave. Gerling St. & Sheridan Ave. McClellan St., Altamont Ave. Replaced parts of Routes #53, #59, #61 and #62 in May 2010 No Sunday service
353 Walmart - Glenville Price Chopper - Altamont Ave. Mohawk Ave. Replaced parts of Routes #52, #53 and #54 in May 2010
354 Rotterdam Square Mall Shoprite - Niskayuna Nott St., I-890 Replaced parts of Routes #59 and #62 in May 2010
355 Liberty Park Central Ave. & Colonie Center State St., Central Ave., NY 5 Rt. 5 local service between Downtown Schenectady and Colonie Center.
370 River St. & Front St., Troy Rivers Casino, Erie Blvd Schenectady NY 2, Union St., NY 7 formerly Route #70 until November 2012, Run jointly by Schenectady and Troy divisions.
530 Rotterdam Square Mall / Exit 26 Park & Ride Broadway & Hudson Ave, Albany I-787, I-90, I-890 weekday express service only
531 St. Luke’s / Woodlawn Park & Ride Broadway & Hudson Ave, Albany I-787, I-90, I-890 weekday express service only
763 Liberty Park Albany Bus Terminal Madison Ave., Lark St., Western Ave., Rt. 20, Curry Rd., Broadway formerly Route #63 until November 2012 limited weekday service only
830 Wade Lupe Towers Glenville Walmart/Rotterdam Mall Rt 7, Erie Blvd Introduced to provide shopping service for Schenectady Runs only on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month
871 Courtyard Marriott Erie Blvd & Union State St., Erie Blvd., Nott St., Harborside Dr. Trolley intended to provide service to major Schenectady venues Available 4:00PM - 1:00AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
905 Liberty Park Albany Bus Terminal State St., Central Ave., NY 5 Rt. 5 Bus Plus service between Downtown Schenectady and Downtown Albany, with only 19 stops per trip.

Former bus routes that were part of the Schenectady Division include:

  • Old #50 - Route 50 (merged with Route #71 in July 2007 as part of the Saratoga Springs Route Expansion)
  • #51 - Broadway (discontinued in May 2010 as part of the Schenectady Route Restructuring)
  • Old #52 - Scotia/Crane St. (split up into two routes, new Route #52 Crane St. and new Route #54 Scotia/Walmart in January 2004)
  • New #52 - Crane St. (discontinued in May 2010 as part of the Schenectady Route Restructuring)
  • #53 - Altamont Ave (discontinued in May 2010 as part of the Schenectady Route Restructuring)
  • Old #54 - Kings Rd. (discontinued during the 1990s)
  • New #54 - Scotia/Walmart (discontinued in May 2010 as part of the Schenectady Route Restructuring)
  • #55 - Schenectady/Albany (became Route #355 in April 2011, during implementation of Rt. 5 Bus Plus service)
  • #55x - Schenectady/Albany Express (discontinued in April 2011, during implementation of Rt. 5 Bus Plus service)
  • #56x - Schenectady/State Office Campus Express (discontinued in August 2010 due to low ridership)
  • #58 - Union St./Mohawk Mall (discontinued in November 1999)
  • #59 - Nott St. (discontinued in May 2010 as part of the Schenectady Route Restructuring)
  • #60 - Rosa Rd. (merged with Route #61 Van Vranken Ave. during the 1990s)
  • #61 - Van Vraken Ave. (discontinued in May 2010 as part of the Schenectady Route Restructuring)
  • #62 - McClellan St./Rotterdam Square Mall (discontinued in May 2010 as part of the Schenectady Route Restructuring)
  • #63 - Route Twenty (renumbered Route #763 in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #64 - Charlton (discontinued during the 1990s)
  • #66 - Schenectady South Loop (discontinued in May 2010 as part of the Schenectady Route Restructuring)
  • #70 - Schenectady/Troy (renumbered Route #370 in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring))
  • #77 - Schenectady North Loop (discontinued in May 2010 as part of the Schenectady Route Restructuring)
  • #78 - Schenectady West Loop (discontinued in May 2009 due to low ridership)
  • #95 - Duanesburg/Delanson rural service (separated into four distinct routes, Routes #810, #811, #812 and #830 in January 2009)
  • #358 - Hamburg St./McClellan St. (discontinued in April 2011 due to low ridership)
  • #532 - Woodlawn Express (merged with Route #531 St. Luke's Express in November 2011)
  • Old #830 - Duanesburg rural shuttle (discontinued in September 2009 due to low ridership)

Saratoga Service

The City of Saratoga Springs service also operates from Schenectady Division. These routes run seven days a week. Before July 2007, the Saratoga Springs buses were operated from the Uncle Sam Depot at 40 Hoosick Street in Troy, with limited service. There was no direct connection to the Albany/Schenectady/Troy routes. Route #50 was operated from the Electric Depot at 2401 Maxon Road Ext. in Schenectady, and only provided one AM and one PM weekday trip between Schenectady and Ballston Spa. On July 2, 2007, the initial Saratoga Springs Route Expansion went into effect, with the implementation of a new three-digit route identification system. Route #50 was extended to provide hourly service, seven days a week; on NY 50 between Schenectady and Wilton Mall, with deviations along Rowland St and Geyser Rd in Milton as well as deviations along Excelsior Ave in Saratoga Springs. All of the Saratoga Springs buses began operating from the Schenectady Garage on Maxon Rd. Ext. On May 28, 2016, the Saratoga Springs restructure plan went into effect. Route #50 was renumbered Route #450 and rerouted to run along NY 50 from Schenectady to Wilton Mall with no deviations. New Routes #451 and #452 include former Route #50 deviations, as well as portions of old Routes #472 and #473. CDTA plans to eventually construct a Saratoga Springs bus garage at Grande Industrial Park, off of Geyser Rd.

Route Terminals Major streets History Notes
450 Liberty Park, Schenectady Wilton Mall NY 50, Broadway
451 Saratoga Springs train station Department of Social Services, Ballston Spa Rowland St., Geyser Rd.,Lake Ave., Church St., Kirby Rd.
452 Wilton Mall Skidmore College Excelsior Ave., Broadway, Clinton St.
840 Stonequist Apartments Wilton Mall Union Ave. New Shopping shuttle created in July 2015. Runs on Tuesdays only [5]
875 Saratoga Casino and Raceway Courtyard Hotel, Saratoga Springs Broadway, Nelson Ave., Jefferson St., Avenue of the Pines Seasonal trolley operates from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day
NX Empire State Plaza, Albany various park & ride locations throughout Saratoga County I-87, I-787 weekday express service only

Former Saratoga Springs bus routes that were operated by the Schenectady Division include:

  • New #50 - Route 50 (replaced by Route #450 in May 2016 as part of the Saratoga Springs restructure plan)
  • #409 - federally founded pilot service on Rt. 9 between Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park (launched on May 24, 2010, with a minimum ridership of 15 passengers per hour needed. Discontinued on September 2, 2011 because it did not maintain the above ridership quota.)
  • #471 - Union Ave. (discontinued in September 2010 due to low ridership)
  • #472 - Lake Ave. (discontinued in May 2016 as part of the Saratoga Springs restructure plan)
  • #473 - Jefferson St./Skidmore College (discontinued in May 2016 as part of the Saratoga Springs restructure plan)
  • #474 - Saratoga Springs City Shuttle (discontinued in May 2009 due to low ridership)
  • #870 - Saratoga County Shuttle (provided rural service to Galway, Wilton, Schuylerville and Round Lake - discontinued in May 2012 due to low ridership)

Former Saratoga Springs bus routes that were operated by the Troy Division include:

  • #71 - Saratoga Springs/Ballston Spa (merged with Route #50 in July 2007 as part of the Saratoga Springs Route Expansion)
  • #72 - Saratoga Springs City Bus (discontinued in July 2007 as part of the Saratoga Springs Route Expansion)
  • #73 - Victory Mills/Galway/Saratoga Springs (discontinued in July 2007 as part of the Saratoga Springs Route Expansion)

Troy Division

Before CDTA, most of these routes were operated by the United Traction Co and the Troy-Fifth Avenue Bus Company. Buses run from the Uncle Sam Depot at 40 Hoosick Street in Troy, which also used to operate Saratoga Springs service prior to July 2007.

Route Terminals Major streets History Notes
22 River St. & Front St. Madison Ave. & Empire State Plaza, Albany Broadway, NY 32
80 River St. & Front St. Northern Dr. & 8th St. 5th Ave. Services Diamond Hill Rehabilitation Center
85 Broad St. & 6th St., Waterford Van Rensselaer Manor Rt. 4
87 River St. & Front St. Price Chopper & Walmart Hoosick St. and 15th St.
182 River St. & Front St. Albany Bus Terminal Henry Johnson Blvd., Van Rensselaer Blvd., Northern Blvd., Rt. 9, Columbia St., NY 32 Merged with Route #129 in May 2013 Runs seven days a week between Downtown Albany, Latham Farms, Cohoes, Green Island, Watervliet and Troy
190 Latham Farms Shopping Center Crossgates Mall Wade Rd., Wolf Rd., Fuller Rd. Only Troy-serviced route that does not go to Downtown Troy
114 Rensselaer Rail Station Crossgates Mall Third St., Washington Ave., Madison Ave. Service added in 2011 due to Albany route restructuring
224 River St. & Front St. Madison Ave & Empire State Plaza, Albany I-787, I-90, Rt. 4 Formerly Route #24 until September 2009 No Weekend service; service terminates at Hudson Valley Community College rather than Downtown Troy after 7:00PM
286 River & Front Street/Sunset Drive & Forsyth Terrace Vanderheyden Hall/Myrtle Ave & Pawling Ave Pawling Ave., 15th St., Congress St. Merged with Route #280 on September 25, 2016; After 8:30PM serves as an RPI shuttle bus
289 Madison Ave. & Project St. 15th St. & Massachusetts Ave. Pawling Ave., 4th St., 15th St. Combined from parts of Routes #84 and #89 in September 2009 no Sunday service
370 River St. & Front St., Troy Rivers Casino, Erie Blvd Schenectady NY 2, Union St., NY 7 formerly Route #70 until November 2012, Run jointly by Schenectady and Troy divisions.
522 N Mohawk St, Cohoes Madison Ave & Empire State Plaza, Albany I-787 Replaced parts of Routes #35x and #82 in November 2012 weekday express service only
746 Columbia St. & Baker St., Cohoes 3rd Ave. & 112th St., Troy Columbia St., Vliet Blvd., Manor Ave. limited weekday service only
815 Lansingurgh Apartments Walmart/Brunswick Plaza Hoosick, River St., 2nd Ave Introduced to provide shopping service for Troy area Runs only on Wednesday
821 Target & Rensselaer Plaza St. Jude Senior Apts Bloomingrove Dr. Introduced to provide shopping service for North Greenbush Runs only on Thursday
The former 35x bus route at State and Lodge Streets in Albany, July 2006.

Former routes that were part of the Troy Division include:

  • #15 - Rensselaer East Street (merged with Route #14 to form Route #214 in May 2009)
  • #24 - Albany/Troy via Rensselaer (renumbered Route #224 in September 2009)
  • #29 - Albany/Cohoes via Route 9 (renumbered Route #129 in November 2012 during phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #35x - I-787 express (discontinued in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #81 - Baker Street (discontinued during the late 1990s)
  • #82 - Troy/Cohoes/Green Island (discontinued in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #84 - Watervliet (discontinued in September 2009 due to low ridership)
  • #86 - Sycaway (combined with Route #87 Beman Park circa 1990)
  • #88 - Troy/Mechanicville/Stillwater (discontinued during the mid-1990s due to low ridership)
  • Old #90 - Troy/Latham (merged with Route #17, Four Mall Circuit, during the late 1990s)
  • New #90 - Troy/Latham/Crossgates (discontinued in November 2012 during Phase 2 of the Albany County Route Restructuring)
  • #90x - Troy/State Office Campus Express (discontinued in November 2010 due to low ridership)
  • #129 - Albany/Latham Farms (merged with Route #182 in May 2013)
  • #280 - Troy/Wynantskill (merged with route #286 in September 2016)
  • Old #286 - RPI Shuttle (merged with route #280 in September 2016
  • #432 - Troy/Mechanicville (discontinued in May 2012 due to low ridership)
  • #620 - Shuttle Bee (Route 4, Hannaford Plaza to HVCC - discontinued in May 2011 due to low ridership)

Other services

Shuttles

CDTA formerly ran three suburban shuttles, all operated by Albany Division, that used smaller cutaway vans, with the purpose of serving offices and major points of interest not on main CDTA routes, nor needing full sized buses. In November 2012, all Shuttle services were discontinued and replaced with fixed-route service during Phase 2 of the Albany County reconstructing. Two new bus routes (#117 and #155) were created. Route #117 operates between British-American Blvd, Albany International Airport, Wolf Rd, Colonie Center, Crossgates Mall and Twenty Mall. Route #155 operates between Albany International Airport, ITT Tech, NY 155, Washington Ave Ext., Walmart, and Crossgates Mall.

BusPlus

The 2005 plan included the development of bus rapid transit on the Route 5 corridor, between Downtown Albany and Downtown Schenectady, supplementing Route #55 (which handled 20% of CDTA's ridership[6]). This plan also led to modifications on Routes #1 and #2. Queue jumping and signal priority were planned to make BRT more attractive to the region, after light rail was rejected. As of mid-2007, this part of the 2005 plan was placed on hold.[7]

In early 2008, CDTA announced that it was going forward with the bus rapid transit line on NY 5, which included 19 upgraded stations.[8] NY 5 BRT service began on Monday, April 4, 2011, with new silver and red-branded Gillig 40-foot hybrid buses, numbered Route #905 and referred to as BusPlus. When NY 5 BusPlus service began, Route #55 was renumbered Route #355 and shortened to provide Rt. 5 local service, between Downtown Schenectady and Colonie Center. Route #1 continues to provide Rt. 5 local service between Downtown Albany and Colonie Center. Route #55x (the Schenectady/Albany Express buses) was replaced with Routes #530, #531 and #532 (Route #532 was merged with Route #531 on November 13, 2011). Route #2 was replaced with Route #125, during Phase 1 of the Albany County Route Restructuring in November 2011. BusPlus service runs the entire length of the Route 5 corridor, although it currently operates differently from the original plans. In the short term, transit signal priority and queue jump lanes are being constructed and will be rolled out as features of the bus rapid transit service. Articulated buses and ticket vending machines (TVMs) have not been purchased. Although it is called bus rapid transit, Route #905 is more of an enhanced limited-stop service than an actual BRT service, with only 19 stops between Downtown Schenectady and Downtown Albany. Improvements and expansions to BusPlus are still in planning, with proposed lines along the Washington Ave./Western Ave. corridor in Albany and along the NY 32/Broadway corridor between Downtown Albany, Menands and Troy/Cohoes.

Saratoga "Trolley"

In cooperation with the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, CDTA operates open-air trolleys during the summer months. In the past, the trolleys would run from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day to serve popular destinations such as the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Spa State Park, the Saratoga Casino and Raceway, the Saratoga Race Course and Broadway. Prior to 2011, the trolley ran between Skidmore College and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. From 2007 to 2010, Route #471 provided summer service to the Saratoga Race Course, before it was discontinued due to low ridership. From 2011 to 2015, the trolley route ran between Broadway, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Spa State Park, the Saratoga Casino and Raceway and the Saratoga Race Course, to include areas previously served by Route #471. As of 2011, trolley service to Skidmore College was discontinued, with year-round service to Skidmore College continued on former Route #473 and new Route #452. As of 2016, trolley service to Saratoga Spa State Park and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center has been discontinued and replaced by a new route that runs between the Courtyard Hotel, Broadway, the Saratoga Race Course and the Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The 2016 changes also included free fare for all riders and service reduction to instead only run from Independence Day weekend to Labor Day. While not marked as such on the vehicles, this service appears as Route #875 on the Saratoga Service map.

STAR Service

In 1982, CDTA began providing paratransit services to riders who are medically unable to take regular transit services. ADA wheelchair-accessible buses were added in 1988; since 2004, all CDTA routes have been wheelchair-accessible. The Star fleet has had a variety of minibuses. Though for most of its history it has been dominated by the Orion II low-floor minibus, STAR has begun replacing older models with Startrans "Senator" cutaway vehicles. Other minibuses in the fleet include Ford "ELF" minibuses and several transfers from suburban shuttle routes (see below).

NX: Northway Xpress

Northway Xpress bus

The NX: Northway Xpress is a group of express routes that links Albany to towns in Saratoga County which is operated under contract to Upstate Transit (which had been contracted to run the service since 2006). These routes run from Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, Malta, Clifton Park, Round Lake, and South Glens Falls to Downtown Albany. In October 2012, Northway Express fares and schedules were redesigned to increase ridership and service efficiency. Fare structure was consolidated from 5 zones to 3 zones, with the addition of an unlimited ride prepayment card. Service was also eliminated from areas with low ridership, including Mechanicville, Stillwater, Albany International Airport, SUNY Albany, Wolf Road and the Harriman State Office Campus. In May 2014, Northway Express service was expanded to Corporate Woods.

Rural service

Until 2012, CDTA operated rural/lifeline services to several areas in rural Albany and Rensselaer counties, once per week, including routes #810 (Berne/Knox), #812 (Rensselaerville), #870 (Saratoga County Shuttle), and #96 (Rensselaer Rural, with summer Grafton State Park service); as part of CDTA's route restructuring, these routes are being phased out.

Fleet


Active fleet

All buses are wheelchair accessible.

Year Builder Model Length
(feet)		 Width
(inches)		 Seating Numbers Operators
1999 Motor Coach Industries 102DW3SS 40 102 Coach 312-315 (being phased out) Upstate Transit
1999 Nova Bus LFS TL40-102 40 102 Transit 9901-9949 (being phased out) CDTA Albany
2002 Motor Coach Industries D4000 40 102 Coach 316-319 Upstate Transit (being phased out)
2004 Coach & Equipment Condor 25 96 Transit 401-402 (all retired) CDTA Albany
2005 Supreme Senator 25 96 Paratransit 200-219 CDTA Albany, Schenectady, Troy
2006 Motor Coach Industries D4500CL 45 102 Coach 320-324 Upstate Transit
2007 Gillig Low Floor 40' 40 102 Transit 4000-4007 CDTA Troy
2007 Gillig BRT HEV 40' 41 102 Transit 4008H-4013H CDTA Albany (4008H used as a BusPlus service in Schenectady.)
2007 Gillig Low Floor 29' 30 102 Transit 3100-3107 CDTA Albany, Schenectady
2007 Gillig Low Floor HEV 29' 30 102 Transit 3108H-3115H CDTA Albany, Schenectady
2007 Supreme Senator 25 96 Paratransit 220-229 CDTA Albany, Schenectady, Troy
2008 ElDorado National AeroElite 25 96 Transit 409-415 CDTA Albany
2008 Gillig BRT HEV 40' 40 102 Transit 4014H-4019H CDTA Albany, Schenectady
2008 Gillig Low Floor HEV 40' 40 102 Coach 325H-326H (326H is a 2009) CDTA Albany
2008 Gillig Low Floor HEV 40' 40 102 Transit 4020H-4028H CDTA Schenectady
2009 Gillig Low Floor HEV 40' 40 102 Transit 4029H-4047H CDTA Troy
2010 Gillig Low Floor HEV 40' 40 102 Transit 4048H-4055H CDTA Troy
2010 Gillig Low Floor 40' 40 102 Transit 4056-4072 CDTA Troy
2010 Gillig BRT HEV 40' 40 102 Transit 5500H-5514H CDTA Schenectady
2012 Gillig Low Floor 40' 40 102 Transit 4073-4092 CDTA Albany, Schenectady, Troy
2013 Gillig Low Floor 40' 40 102 Transit 4093-4108 CDTA Albany
2013 Gillig Low Floor HEV 40' 40 102 Transit 4109H-4112H CDTA Albany
2014 Gillig Low Floor 40' 40 102 Transit 4113-4127 CDTA Albany
2015 Gillig Low Floor 40' 40 102 Transit 4128-4139 CDTA Albany
2015 New Flyer XD60 60 102 Transit 6000-6001 CDTA Albany
2016 Gillig Low Floor 40' 40 102 Transit 4140-4149 CDTA Albany
2016 Gillig BRT 40' 40 102 Transit 5515-5516 CDTA Schenectady
2017 Gillig Low Floor 40' 40 102 Transit 4150-4170 CDTA Albany
2017 Gillig BRT 40' 40 102 Transit 5517 CDTA Schenectady
2018 Gillig Low Floor 40' 40 102 Transit 4170-4182 CDTA Albany
2017 New Flyer XD60 60 102 Transit 6002-6007 CDTA Albany
2018 New Flyer XD60 60 102 Transit 6008 Albany
2018 New Flyer XD60 60 102 Transit 5518 (Bus Plus) Schenectady

Future fleet

The Gillig buses are part of a five-year contract between CDTA and Gillig awarded in April 2006,2011 & 2016 that replaced most of the 1998 Orion VI fleet.[9] In December 2014, CDTA also awarded a contract with New Flyer for 20 articulated buses to be delivered over a five-year period.

Transit development plan

In 2005, CDTA commissioned a transit development plan that would create a planned environment to react to needed changes in the CDTA organization.[7]

Parts of this plan have included:

  • Replacing similar numbers of transit vehicles each year over an expected twelve-year life span, creating a more uniform expectation of vehicles needing replacement, also replacing few and larger orders. This began in 2007, and is expected to reduce the costs of maintaining an aging fleet.[10]
  • Replacing Orion VI buses by 2012 and the NABI and NovaBus LFS buses by 2016.
  • Installing LED destination signs on all vehicles, replacing expensive curtain style signage.
  • Expansion of service in Saratoga Springs, which took place in July 2007. In addition a further expansion is planned, and includes erecting and opening of a bus garage in Saratoga Springs for Saratoga County vehicles.
  • Redrawing bus routes in hopes to better serve riders, starting with Schenectady-based routes in the second half of 2007.
  • Implementation of a three-digit route system, in which the first digit will serve as an indication of the route's primary base. As part of the new three-digit system, 100 routes represent Albany Division, 200 routes represent Troy Division, 300 routes represent Schenectady Division, 400 routes represent Saratoga service, 500 routes represent express route service, 600 routes represent shuttle service, 700 routes represent commuter service, 800 routes represent rural service and 900 routes represent Bus Rapid Transit service.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "CDTA Annual Report 2009-2010" (PDF). Capital District Transportation Authority. August 31, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 15, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Operational Summary". Capital District Transportation Authority. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2015" (pdf). American Public Transportation Association. March 2, 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-19 – via http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/ridershipreport.aspx.
  4. ↑ "Board of Directors - CDTA". Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  5. ↑ "Saratoga Shopping Shuttle Out of the Gate". Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "Annual Route Performance Report". CDTA. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  7. 1 2 transit development plan Archived February 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ Woodruff, Cathy (January 15, 2008). "CDTA rapid service advances: Bus transit line between Albany, Schenectady will have upgraded 'stations'". Albany Times-Union. Retrieved January 17, 2008.
  9. ↑ Durr, Eric (April 27, 2006). "CDTA board approves $8.3M bus deal". Capital District Business Review. Retrieved 2006-04-27.
  10. ↑ Woodruff, Cathy (2006-03-30). "CDTA budget aims to revitalize fleet". Albany Times-Union. Retrieved March 30, 2006.
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