November 04, 2016
CDTA Encouraging the Capital Region to Get Out and Vote
ALBANY, NY (November 4, 2016) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) will offer STAR customers free transportation service to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2016. All CDTA service will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Election Day.
“Voting is a basic right for all citizens and is especially important during presidential election years,” said CDTA Board Chairman David M. Stackrow. “As a community partner, we take pride in doing our part to eliminate barriers that will make it tough for customers to get to the polls, voice their opinion and ensure greater voter turnout.”
CDTA will provide free trips to Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga and Rensselaer election poll sites for STAR customers on Election Day. STAR service to these sites must be within ¾ mile of CDTA fixed route service. Reservations for free trip requests must be made to STAR at (518) 482-2022 no later than Monday, November 7, 2016 by 5:00pm. Customers are encouraged to find their polling place and check their voter status prior to making their reservation through the appropriate County Board of Elections.
STAR is Special Transit Available by Request; a Para-transit service offering transportation alternatives to customer who at certain times cannot use, or have substantial difficulty using, the CDTA fixed-route bus system because of a disability or impairment. To become eligible to use STAR service, an individual must complete the certification process and receive approval as a STAR customer.
Last fiscal year, CDTA delivered nearly 323,000 rides to STAR customers. STAR ridership has grown more than 25% over the last several years, with a nearly 3% increase during the same time period last year.
To find out where to click in your neighborhood click here. Below is a list of the various polling locations and which CDTA buses service the area.
Visit www.cdta.org or contact CDTA’s Customer Information Center at 482-8822. Information operators are on duty 6am-7pm weekdays, 8am-6pm on Saturday and 8am-5pm on Sundays and holidays. To stay connected with CDTA’s latest, visit facebook.com/CDTAiride or follow us on twitter @CDTA.