Half Fare

CDTA has designed a number of rider programs to support the unique needs of many of our riders. Programs designed to help create a better service experience include commuter programs, senior citizen programs, seasonal service programs and more. Click here for our brochure.

HALF FARE: The Federal Government, via the National Mass Transportation Act of 1974, requires that a half-fare policy be in effect for seniors and people with disabilities during our off-peak hours. CDTA has expanded half fare rates to be valid throughout the entire day.

REDUCED FARE PROGRAMS: CDTA offers numerous reduced fare options for riders of all ages. All of CDTA’s standard route services participate in the reduced fare options.

 

 

WHO QUALIFIES FOR HALF FARE?

 

VETERANS: To qualify for the benefit, Veterans who were honorably discharged will be required to provide a DD-214 Form, Discharge Papers, Separation Documents, Veterans Health Identification Card, Veterans Identification Card, NYS Driver’s License with official Veterans marking, or a Return the Favor Card to one of our Half Fare issuing sites listed below. – CDTA Half Fare ID card will be valid for 10 years.

INDIVIDUALS AGED 65 OR OLDER: To qualify for the benefit, individuals must show a valid photo ID that identifies their age. – CDTA Half Fare ID card will be valid for 5 years.

INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY: To qualify for the benefit, you must show proof that you are receiving a disability benefit under one of the following agencies: - CDTA Half Fare ID card will be valid for 5 years.

  • Veterans Administration (VA) Disability
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Documents must be dated within 6 months of the date you are getting your ID card done.
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Documents must be dated within 6 months of the date you are getting your ID card done.
  • Medicare Card (NOT MEDICAID): with “Part A” or “Part B” Noted on card.
  • Individuals with a physical or cognitive disability (Without a Medicare Card): To qualify for the benefit, individuals must have their medical professional complete a medical determination form. Forms must be signed and stamped by their medical professional. – CDTA Half Fare ID cards will be valid for 3 years. Forms can be found here.
  • Temporary disability without a date specified – Valid for 6 months.
  • Temporary disability with a date specified – Valid for the time frame specified. ID Cards will not be issued for time periods of less than 3 months or more than 3 years.
  • Individuals with completed medical determination forms should bring them to one of CDTA’s Half Fare issuing sites for your pictured ID card.

 

INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SERVICES FROM ONE OF THE SERVICE AGENCIES LISTED BELOW: To qualify for the benefit, agencies shall provide qualified individuals with written verification on company letterhead, dated within the last 6 months, to confirm individuals are receiving their services. Written verification letters on company letterhead can be brought to one of CDTA’s Half Fare issuing sites. CDTA Half Fare ID cards will be valid for 3 years.

  • Center for Disability Services
  • NYS Commission for the Blind
  • ACCESS-VR
  • NYS Office of People with Developmental Disabilities
  • Rensselaer County Office of Mental Health
  • CDPC Community Support Program
  • Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company
  • Catholic Charities Disabilities’ Services
  • Unlimited Potential Inc., Saratoga
  • Northeast Career Planning
  • Autism Society Greater Capital Region
  • Living Resources
  • Schenectady ARC
  • Foster Grandparent Program
  • Mohawk Opportunities
  • Department of Veteran Affairs-Veterans’ Industries
  • NABA
  • Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital
  • The Arc of Rensselaer County
  • Capital District Psychiatric Center
  • Ellis Medicine PROS
  • Hope House D&A Rehabilitation
  • New Choices D&A Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation Support Services (Psychiatric & Substance Abuse) of Albany & Schenectady
  • Conifer Park Rehabilitation Schenectady/Glenville

 

CDTA HALF FARE ISSUING SITES:

ALBANY COUNTY

  • CDTA Sales Center (85 Watervliet Avenue, Albany NY 12206) 
  • Phone: (518) 437-6876
  • Monday – Friday, 9:00AM-5:00PM
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY

  • Centro Civico (143 E Main St, Amsterdam, NY 12010)
  • Phone: (518) 344-2757
  • First and Last Tuesday of every month, 10:00AM-1:00PM

 

RENSSELAER COUNTY

  • CDTA Troy Division (40 Hoosick Street, Troy NY 12180)
  • Phone: (518) 437-6822
  • Wednesdays, 10:00AM-1:00PM

 

SARATOGA COUNTY

  • Saratoga Springs Train Station (CDTA/Greyhound Ticket Office at 26 Station Lane, Saratoga NY 12866)
  • Phone: (518) 584-8031
  • Monday – Friday, (Please Call Ahead for Hours)

 

SCHENECTADY COUNTY

  • Department of Social Services (797 Broadway #301, Schenectady NY 12305)
  • Phone: (518)-344-2757
  • Monday 9:00AM-12:00PM and Friday 1:00PM-3:00PM, (By Appointment Only)

 

 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RIDE? Seniors (65 years and older) and customers with disabilities are required to have a valid Navigator ID card to pay half fare. You can pay cash fare on the bus or add a fare product to your Navigator card.

  • CASH FARES: $0.75 one way for a regular route trip or $1.00 one way for a BusPlus trip.
  • ADDING FARES: When adding fares to your Navigator ID card, you can choose between Pay As You Go and Frequent Rider:
  • HALF FARE PAY AS YOU GO: Functions like cash and costs $0.65 for each of the first three rides, while the fourth and up are free for the rest of the day. That means that you will never pay more than the cost of a day pass ($1.95).
  • HALF FARE FREQUENT RIDER: A monthly pass that is valid for unlimited rides on CDTA's regular route network and BusPlus for 31 days from the first day of use. The Frequent Rider monthly pass costs $32.50.
  • HOW TO USE YOUR HALF FARE NAVIGATOR CARD: When you get on the bus, show your half fare Navigator photo ID card to the bus operator, and using exact change, put half the regular fare into the fare box.

 

Last Updated: 09/12/2024