reduced fare programs

CDTA offers numerous reduced fare options for riders of all ages. Most of CDTA’s standard route services participate in the reduced fare options.

Half Fare

How to Obtain a Card

The Reduced Fare Swiper

HALF FARE

What Is The Half Fare Program?

The Federal Government, via the National Mass Transportation Act of 1974, requires that a reduced fare policy be in effect for senior citizens and people with disabilities during our off-peak hours. Off-peak hours are 9AM to 3PM and after 6PM on weekdays; and all day on weekends and holidays. As of April 4th 2005, with SimpleFare in effect, CDTA has expanded half fare throughout the day.

Who Qualifies for Half Fare?

You must be at least 65 years old or have a disability to receive a CDTA reduced fare card. Cards are issued by the Departments for the Aging in Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties. The address and telephone number for each office may be found on the bottom of this page. You may obtain your card from any of these offices, although we prefer you use the one in the county where you live.

The fee for the card is set by each county in an amount not to exceed $3.

The CDTA reduced fare card may be used on any CDTA regular route service. It is not valid on STAR service.

Reduced Fare for Eligible riders include:

Half Fare Swipers
Under the SimpleFare structure, seniors and customers with disabilities with a valid ID card pay pay half fare all the time.

$0.75 Senior citizens (65 years and older) and riders with disabilities (with valid ID) ride on fixed route buses for half the base fare at all times.

Half fare Day Card: $2.00
Half Fare Swiper: 5-Day Card: $27.50; 7-Day Card: $32.50

If you are 65 or older or have a disability, you may also qualify for a CDTA reduced fare card. People with valid Medicare cards also pay half fare at all times. Cards are issued by your local Department for Aging.

The CDTA reduced fare card may be used on any CDTA regular route service. It is not valid on STAR service.

^ back to top

How To Obtain A Card If You're 65 Or Older

Telephone the Department for the Aging to find out when and where cards are being issued.
When you go to get your card, take proof of your age, such as your birth certificate, driver's license, or other official document.
Your picture will be taken and your card issued to you. You pay the issuance fee at that time.

How To Obtain A Card If You're Disabled

You must be certified as having a mobility impairment in order to get the reduced fare card. Certification may be obtained in one of three ways:

By showing proof that you are receiving a disability benefit under:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Administration (VA) Disability.
- Take your award letter from Social Security or the VA to the Department for the Aging and they will issue you a reduced fare card.
By requesting certification through one of the human service agencies listed on the bottom of this page. Agencies will complete the certification process for you. If certified, you will be given a Certifying Letter which you can take to the Department for the Aging to receive your card.
By contacting CDTA for a Medical Determination Form which will be filled out by your physician and returned to us. Upon receipt of a completed form, we will send you a Certifying Letter, which you can take to the Department for the Aging to receive your card.

How To Use Your Card

When you get on the bus, show your card to the bus operator, and using exact change, put half the regular fare into the farebox.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Medicare Card

You do not need a CDTA reduced fare card if you have a Medicare card. You may use your Medicare card in lieu of a CDTA reduced fare card on any regularly scheduled CDTA bus. When you get on the bus, show your card to the bus operator, and using exact change, put half the regular fare into the farebox.

Inquiries

If your application for a reduced fare card is turned down, or if you have questions about the program, contact:

    Supervisor of Special Services CDTA
    110 Watervliet Avenue
    Albany, NY 12206
    (518) 437-8300

^ back to top

THE REDUCED FARE SWIPER

Reduced fare Swiper cards are available to people who are certified as having a disability and for seniors age 65 and older. Swiper is CDTA's monthly pass which gives customers unlimited rides during a month. Your first purchase of a reduced fare Swiper must be made in person at our 110 Watervliet Avenue, Albany office. You should have your CDTA reduced fare card and another form of identification with you. Once you are in our database, subsequent Swiper purchases can be made through easy mail order renewal.

If you have any questions about reduced fare Swiper cards, call the CDTA Sales Office at (518) 437-8300.

County Offices Issuing Reduced Fare Cards

Albany County Dept for the Aging & Handicapped
County Office Bldg.
162 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 447-7177
MONDAY-FRIDAY : 8:30AM-NOON and 1:00PM-2:00PM

Albany County CDTA- Sales Office
85 Watervliet Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 482-8822
MONDAY - FRIDAY: 9AM - 5PM

Rensselaer County CDTA - Troy Division
40 Hoosick St.
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 437-6822
WEDNESDAY: 10:00AM-1:00PM

Rensselaer County -CDTA Rail Station
525 East Street
Rensselaer, NY
(518) 437-6876
TUESDAY: 1:00PM - 4:00PM

Schenectady County Office for the Aging
107 Nott Terrace, Rm 202
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 382-8481
THURSDAY A.M. ONLY

Saratoga County Office for the Aging
152 West High Street
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
(518) 884-4100
TUESDAY: 2:00PM-4:00PM

Certifying Agencies For The Disabled
Albany County Assoc. for Retarded Citizens
224 Krumkill Road
Slingerlands, NY 12159
(518) 459-0750
Contact: Director of Vocational Services

Cap. Dist. Chpt., National Multiple Sclerosis Society
421 New Karner Road
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 452-1631
Contact: Program Services Director

Center for the Disabled
314 So. Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208
(518) 453-2273
Contact: Enrollment Department

Commission for the Blind
74 State Street Albany, NY 12207
(518) 474-1119
Contact: Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Muscular Dystrophy Association
Executive Park East Stuyvesant Plaza
Albany, NY 12203
Contact: Case Aid

N.E. Association of the Blind
301 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 463-1211
Contact: Coordinator of Information and Referral

Rensselaer County Chpt., N.Y.S. Association for Retarded Children
484 River Street Troy, NY 12180
(518) 272-3800
Contact: Transportation Coordinator

Saratoga County. Chpt., N.Y.S. Association for Retarded Children
RD #3 Route 9
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
(518) 587-5747
Contact: Director of Transportation

Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company
36 Church Ave
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
(518) 885-0091

Sunnyview Hospital - Rehabilitation Center
1270 Belmont Avenue
Schenectady, NY 12308
(518) 382-4559
Contact: Director of Vocational Rehabilitation

The Workshop, Inc.
339 Broadway
Menands, NY 12204

^ back to top

Swiper

Swiper users receive at least a 10% discount on the cash fare. Swiper users whose employers participate in CDTA's Corporate Swiper program may enjoy even greater savings.

5-Day Card: $55.00
7-Day Card: $65.00
10 Trip Passes $13.00

CDTA offers discounts to companies who order Swiper cards—and now 10 Trip Passes—in bulk. The discounts are on top of retail discounts and are applied to the total order.

The new discount structure is 2.5% on orders of 5 to 24 cards; 5% on orders of 25 to 49; 7.5% on orders of 50 to 99; and 10% on orders of 100 to 250.

^ back to top

Summer Fun Pass

$30.00
Children up to 17 years eligible.

^ back to top

STAR TRIP TICKETS

Trip tickets make riding STAR easy and convenient. Best of all, the ticket books are sold at a discount ($30 each). The $2.50 book contains 13 tickets. They can be purchased at CDTA (110 Watervliet Ave., Albany), selected sales outlets (listed below), and through the mail with the enclosed order form.

^ back to top

STAR Ticket Books

13 STAR tickets: $30.00

To order STAR Ticket Books, click here.

STAR Ticket Books Can Be Purchased At The Following Location

CDTA • 110 Watervliet Avenue, Albany

PRICE CHOPPER SUPERMARKETS

1860 Central Avenue, Colonie
Loehmann's Plaza, Guilderland
Colvin Avenue, Albany
Altamont Avenue, Rotterdam
Second & 123rd St., North Troy
Hudson Valley Plaza, Troy

HANNAFORD SUPERMARKETS

Central Avenue, Albany
Wolf Road, Colonie
Route 9, Latham Farms
126th Street, North Troy
Routes 9 & 20, East Greenbush
Pawling Avenue, Wynantskill

^ back to top

Children

Children (6 years of age and under) ride free when accompanied by a fare paying adult. Each fare paying adult may bring up to 3 children with them at no additional cost. The policy will be enforced at the fare box using a measure of 46 inches (average height of a 6 year old child).

^ back to top