message from executive director

Raymond J. Melleady

CDTA is at the intersection of challenge and opportunity. Ridership continues to grow, indicating strong confidence in the CDTA transit system. CDTA has improved its route structure, simplified its fare system, expanded into new communities, increased online services and introduced new discount products in order to encourage the Capital Region’s travelers to use the transit system and to meet the swelling demand.

Last year, CDTA experienced its highest ridership in decades, with more than 15.4 million boardings—representing a 20% increase in ridership from 2006-2009. This trend shows no signs of abating—CDTA is on track to exceed 16 million boardings in fiscal year 2010.

Even as our ridership increases and our services grow, state and federal investment in transit is not keeping pace with the demand for transit, and systems all across the country are making system changes to meet the fiscal challenge. The Annual Report for 2008-2009 details a year in which CDTA responded successfully to the funding shortfall while continuing to provide high quality service to a record number of Capital Region customers.

To maintain the service our customers deserve and expect, CDTA instituted its first fare increase in almost 14 years and raised parking rates at the Rensselaer Rail Station for the first time. CDTA also scrutinized the system and its operations for efficiencies, implementing cost saving measures throughout the organization and shifting routes to meet the need where demand is strongest.

This year we redoubled our efforts to “green” our system, adding more hybrid buses and encouraging Capital Region travelers to try transit for its environmental and economic benefits as well as its convenience. We enlisted our elected officials in the effort to support transit—there is no other infrastructure investment that can match the results public transit delivers in economic growth and productivity, public health, environmental improvement, energy conservation, access to jobs, independent living and economic well-being. CDTA will continue to advocate for increased transit funding.

We have translated the challenges of 2009 into an opportunity to shape a sustainable, transit-oriented future for our region.

Raymond J. Melleady Executive Director