April 01, 2011
ALBANY, N.Y. – The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) today announced details of its public education campaign for its new limited stop BusPlus service as it gears up for rollout next week. BusPlus service on Route 5 began on April 3, 2011 with operation of its new Route 5 Park-and-Ride express service to began on April 4th. The campaign focuses on increasing awareness about the new service, its benefits and to educate riders on how to use it.
BusPlus will provide one-seat access between Downtown Schenectady and Downtown Albany seven days a week, serving the region’s busiest transit corridor, where 3.5 million riders annually or 25% of all CDTA’s customers ride. BusPlus is being touted as the “fastest way to get ahead,” a reference to the improved speed and reliability of limited stop bus service that reduces delays and integrates new technology.
CDTA has unveiled a BusPlus app available through the Itunes store, downloadable by iPod/iPhone/iPad users. The application will feature all BusPlus service schedules, an interactive map offering the ability to touch a stop to view its schedule, frequently asked questions, and related CDTA links.
CDTA’s education campaign continues with grassroots promotion taking place at BusPlus stations, on buses, and through media contests and informational programs.
CDTA BusPlus ambassadors will continue to meet with riders at major BusPlus stations from Liberty Park station in Downtown Schenectady to Broadway in Downtown Albany to answer questions, distribute brochures and offer one-on-one trip planning.
To create excitement about BusPlus, popular local mascots will be stationed at major BusPlus stations to greet riders, distribute BusPlus information and giveaways:
The SmileMonster: will make the following appearance:
· Tuesday 4/5 7am-9am Albany Stations
Appearances were made at Schenectady stations this week.
The 2010 New York Penn-League Champion Tri-City Valley Cats mascots will make appearances as follows:
· Monday, April 4th, 7:00 - 10:00 AM & 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the following locations:
Colonie Stations Lark Stations West Mall Stations
Capitol/Hawk Stations New Karner Stations Veeder/Nott Stations
The mascots scheduled to available include South Paw, Sammy Baseball, Mayors Jennings and Stratton, and “Rowdy” The Rat.
On Wednesday, April 6th from 7pm – 11pm, Jamz 96.3FM night show host Scott Penk will broadcast a live show from an in-service BusPlus bus on Route 5. Riders who answer trivia questions correctly may win prizes including CDTA bus passes, BusPlus gear, Jamz T-Shirts, Stickers, CDs, Download codes, and movie passes.
On April 4, KISS 102.3FM disc jockey D. Scott will feature informational videos and trivia questions about Bus Plus on his page at www.1023kissfm.com offering listeners the chance to win CDTA passes for answering correctly. Customers at BusPlus stations who register for the Kiss Club will get “free points” and an opportunity to win six months of free CDTA passes
WGY Morning Show personality Kelly Lynch offers listeners insight into the new service through a series of video vignettes viewable at both www.cdta.org and www.wgy.com.
About BusPlus
CDTA’s BusPlus is an innovative limited-stop transit service offering direct access to jobs and services with a comfortable, quicker and more efficient ride on Route 5 between Schenectady and Albany, the Capital Region’s busiest transit corridor.