February 28, 2024
CDTA will end fiscal year with one of its highest ridership in nearly 20 years
ALBANY, NY (February 28, 2024) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) announced at its monthly board meeting on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, that through January, there have been more than 13.5 million boardings throughout the CDTA system. At this pace, CDTA is on track to finish the fiscal year in March with 16 million customer boardings. That is almost 20% more than last year and will be one of CDTA’s highest ridership totals in nearly 20 years. Nationally, ridership recovery is hovering around 80% of pre-pandemic levels.
“CDTA remains committed to providing a range of mobility solutions to our customers," said Carm Basile, CDTA CEO. "We have broadened our services by cultivating new partnerships with local businesses and community organizations. It’s encouraging to see ridership increase across all our mobility options. CDTA is always working to improve, adjust, and increase service with our different options.”
Across the service spectrum, all mobility options are seeing an increase in ridership levels compared to the same time last year. Ridership on STAR, which serves people with disabilities, is up 20%, FLEX On Demand ridership is 30% higher, and Northway Express, NX ridership is 12% higher. CDTA has worked to make the process of applying for STAR easier for customers, has expanded FLEX to include Stillwater, and recently launched FLEX+, which connects customers to and from the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station and Downtown Albany.
This increase in ridership is fueled by many factors, including an expanded Bus Rapid Transit network and CDTA’s popular Universal Access program, which now includes around 45 businesses, colleges, and universities. Annual ridership on the Red and Blue Line BRT corridors is approaching 8 million. The Purple Line, which launched in November, is continuing to see ridership growth. CDTA expects BRT use to account for more than 60% of its total system ridership in the coming 12-18 months.
Ridership, innovation, and community connections will be on full display at CDTA’s annual State of CDTA being held Tuesday, March 5, at CDTA Headquarters.
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