March 03, 2022
State of CDTA Features Updates on Major Projects, Panel Discussion Focused on Mobility in the Region, and Highlights New Car Sharing Program
ALBANY, NY (March 3, 2022) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) rolled out a series of milestones and bold initiatives to help transform the area into a regional mobility integrator during the State of CDTA event on Thursday, March 3.
The event recognized the momentum of 2021 and how CDTA is entering 2022 stronger and more resilient from the challenges of the pandemic. It gave a preview of what is to come this year as CDTA continues to transform the Capital Region into a 21st Century mobility hub.
“CDTA emerged out of the pandemic with renewed momentum as we look to the future,” CDTA Board Chairman Jayme Lahut said. “I am proud of the milestones recognized today and bold plans for the future as we work with community partners to support the region’s economic development.”
CDTA revealed the latest offering of their mobility program, DRIVE—an electric vehicle car sharing program. DRIVE is a network of zero emission vehicles available to qualified drivers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Car share, in tandem with CDPHP Cycle!, FLEX On Demand and SCOOT, continues CDTA mission to transform mobility in the region. Find out more at www.drivecdta.org
“It is amazing to witness the impact and growth we have had on the region in just the past few years,” said CDTA Chief Executive Officer Carm Basile. “Our Bus Rapid Transit lines span nearly 40 miles, we have a network of electric vehicles, which now includes car share and we are expanding our footprint into Montgomery County to provide even more connections to the Capital Region. We have emerged from the pandemic with forward-thinking ideas that reimagine mobility and transportation, but none of them would be possible without our community partners. I am beyond appreciative to those that have helped us get to this point and can’t wait for all that’s to come in 2022 and beyond.”
The event also included a panel featuring Dr. Dennis McKenna, President and CEO of Albany Med, Tony Carnevale, Vice President of Personnel at Stewart’s Shops Corp., Maureen O’Brien, President and CEO of New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID), and Jeff Mirel, Principal of Rosenblum Companies. The panel, moderated by Melissa Mangini, Editor-in-Chief of the Albany Business Review, focused on mobility and how it plays a vital role in shaping a community. The panel gave their industry perspective and detailed how CDTA fits in the overall economic landscape of the Capital Region.
Over the last 50 years, CDTA has grown into an organization with 735 employees, a budget of $101 million and served approximately 16 million customers annually, pre-pandemic. It has also grown its fleet to 300 buses and vehicles, which travel 10.2 million miles annually on 50 different routes.