March 05, 2024
An Innovative Vision for the Year Ahead; CDTA Expanding Mobility Options; and a Presentation by HVCC’s President
ALBANY, NY (March 5, 2024) — The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) showcased its accomplishments and detailed bold initiatives for better mobility in the Capital Region during its annual State of CDTA event on Tuesday, March 5.
The event clarified CDTA’s vision for innovation, collaboration, and community confidence. CDTA’s ridership is more than 100% of what it was before the pandemic began. CDTA will end the fiscal year with 16 million boardings, one of its highest ridership counts in 20 years. The growth comes from Universal Access partnerships and a strong and vibrant route network that includes extensive Bus Rapid Transit service. CDTA has the only Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network in upstate New York.
CDTA highlighted the services it has introduced in the past year, which includes DRIVE car sharing, electric bikes added to the CDPHP Cycle! fleet, and FLEX+ to connect the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station to downtown Albany. CDTA also completed its third BRT Line, the Purple Line. The company added a sixth county to the authority by merging Greater Glens Falls Transit into CDTA. The introduction of a new online platform, called TransDash, has also allowed CDTA to connect with customers and the community in a transparent and accessible way. It allows them to assess CDTA’s performance and rate how we’re bringing value to the region.
“It is inspiring to see what we continue to accomplish, and how we foster creative thinking to continue to grow the mobility menu,” said CDTA Chief Executive Officer Carm Basile. “Our Bus Rapid Transit lines that now span 40 miles completed a vision set by our Board of Directors; we have grown from four to six counties in just two years; we have expanded our electric vehicle network to include bikes and cars; and we constructed a unique Mobility Hub in downtown Schenectady to support increased access to mobility options. These projects would not have been possible without our community partners and elected leaders. I am beyond appreciative of those who have helped us get to this point and can’t wait for all that’s to come in 2024.”
The event included a presentation from Hudson Valley Community College President Dr. Roger A. Ramsammy. As CDTA looks for innovative ways to grow its workforce, Dr. Ramsammy discussed the importance of the partnership between CDTA and HVCC to strengthen the workforce development pipeline in the Capital Region.
“We are proud to partner with CDTA and develop new ways to train the workforce of the future. CDTA continues to innovate and its continued focus on sustainable career training programs -- with options from non-credit skills training programs to apprenticeships to college degrees and certificate – will provide the options and models for continued growth and success,” said Roger Ramsammy, President of Hudson Valley Community College.”
CDTA has grown into an organization with 750 employees, an annual budget of $130 million serving approximately 16 million customers annually. It has also grown its fleet to 350 buses and vehicles, which travel 10 million miles annually on more than 50 different routes. It operates buses, bikes, cars, a paratransit service for people with disabilities, and a flexible routed on-demand service.
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