June 08, 2015
Smartcard and Mobile Tickets to Enhance Customer Convenience, Reliability and Security
ALBANY, N.Y. (June 8, 2015) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) announced today that it is looking for a broad cross section of customers to pilot test the new Navigator smart card and mobile ticketing system. The new prepayment system will offer new customer features and deploy innovative technology as CDTA embarks on the first simultaneous dual rollout of smartcard and mobile tickets in the United States.
CDTA’s Navigator will offer two easy choices for customers when paying their fares; a durable plastic smartcard or the ability to load fares directly onto their smartphone through the free iride application. Both options will provide reliability and security to customers. When fully implemented, Navigator will improve CDTA’s current fare products by providing balance protection, auto load capability along with an easier interface for online ordering.
CDTA is looking for all customer groups to be represented in the pilot test, which will cover the entire service area of more than 2,300 square miles. Selected customers will test Navigator in a live environment over a defined period of time and report back on their experiences and results. CDTA will assemble the pilot testing group throughout the summer and begin public testing in the fall.
CDTA employee pilot testing is underway and has been positive with a few minor tweaks based on continuing software upgrades. CDTA’s Navigator will be fully implemented upon the successful completion of both pilot testing programs across all customer groups.
Customers interested in being part of the Navigator pilot program should contact the CDTA Marketing Department at 482-8822 for complete details. Follow this link to fill out the Navigator Pilot Program questionnaire: http://www.cdta.org/forms/navigator_pilot_sign_up/11176
ABOUT CDTA: The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) was created in 1970 by the New York State Legislature as a public benefit corporation to provide regional transportation services by rail, bus, water and air. CDTA is the premier mobility provider in the Capital Region, providing local, express, commuter and bus rapid transit services. CDTA owns and operates the Rensselaer Rail and Saratoga Springs Train Stations. Today, nearly 650 people work to deliver a transit system that transports 60,000 customers each weekday.