September 02, 2014
ALBANY, N.Y. - (September 2, 2014) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) will hold a series of public hearings to formalize the proposed fare products as part of its New Fare Collection System that will feature smart card and mobile ticket technology.
The proposal includes no changes to the cash/base fare to ride fixed route buses or on BusPlus. There will be no changes to the cash/base fare to use STAR or NX service. The changes deal almost exclusively with prepayment programs. CDTA held six public meetings over the summer to gather feedback and answer customer questions about pricing and the new technology.
A key feature of CDTA’s new system is the ability to use smart cards and mobile ticketing technology that offers new payment options and increased flexibility. The proposal focuses on stored value debit (Pay As You Go) and Frequent Rider (similar to Rolling Swipers) options.
Monday, September 15
6pm-8pm
Albany Public Library, Main Branch
161Washington Avenue, Albany
Wednesday, September 17
6pm-8pm
Saratoga Springs Public Library
49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs
Monday, September 22
6pm-8pm
Schenectady Public Library
99 Clinton Street, Schenectady
Wednesday, September 24
6pm-8pm
Arts Center of the Capital Region
265 River Street, Troy
For more information regarding CDTA services, visit www.cdta.org or contact CDTA’s Customer Information Center at 482-8822. Customer service representatives are on duty weekdays from 6am-7pm, from 8am-6pm on Saturdays and 8am-5pm on Sundays and holidays. To stay connected with CDTA’s latest initiatives, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/CDTAiride or follow us on Twitter (@CDTA).
New Fare Collection System Proposed Fare Card Structure
Base (cash) fare: $1.50 Regular Route
$2.00 BusPlus
$2.50 STAR
Basic Structure
Pay As You Go debit account smart card ride is $1.30 for first three rides (fixed route and BusPlus), fourth and up are free for the rest of the day.
Smart card half fares is $0.65 for first three rides (fixed route and BusPlus), fourth and up are free for the rest of the day.
A Frequent Rider smart card will be offered at a cost of $65 and be valid for 31 days from the first day of use. The half fare cost for the Frequent Rider option will be $32.50.
Mobile ticket fares are the same as smart card fares.
STAR
All STAR customers will be required to obtain a picture ID smart card to receive service.
Northway Xpress
NX Pay As You Go pricing: $4, $5 and $7 for Zones 1-3 respectively
NX Frequent Rider pricing: $110, $125 and $170 for Zones 1-3 respectively
Policies
CDTA half fare identification (with photo) must be used to purchase or use half fare products.
CDTA issued identification (with photo) will be needed for STAR service.
Fees
Lost card - $2
Damaged card - $2
Comments
CDTA will accept written comments from people who are unable to attend the hearings. Written comments can be mailed or emailed to CDTA at the following addresses. Comments must be received by October 8, 2014.
By mail:
New Fare Collection System Product Comments
CDTA
Marketing Department
110 Watervliet Avenue
Albany, New York 12206
By email
New Fare Collection System Product Comments