January 25, 2010
From online trip planning capabilities, Twitter and RSS feeds that offer up-to-the-minute service alerts, and a new iPhone application and text messaging options that deliver important information directly to mobile phones and PDAs, the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) today launched a newly redesigned website that offers a host of interactive high-tech tools to further enhance service through improved communications with its 14 million annual riders.
Customers are able to access the new features at www.cdta.org, which has been updated to provide its 47,000 daily customers with immediate access to the latest information through the integration of new technologies and social networking features. The new format provides improved functionality and interactive features, allowing users to quickly access vital transit information.
“Communicating effectively with our customers, stakeholders and potential riders is critical to providing efficient service in the way they want it and a top priority for CDTA,” said CDTA Chairman Dave Stackrow. “Integrating the latest technology tools into our new website helps us to provide the most current information on service changes and improvement plans and also encourages our customers to become engaged in transit planning decisions.”
New Web improvements include:
- Redesigned with a fresh look and simplified navigation to deliver vital information to customers quickly.
- A new applications center that features freely available tools that use CDTA public schedule and route data. This include applications for trip planning via text messaging, links to such websites as “Google Transit” and NY511, and iPhone and mobile applications allowing customers to plan trips and request bus schedule information via their cell phone or PDA.
- A new developer resource center enabling transit developers easy access to CDTA open schedule and route data.
- Trip planner placement on the Homepage
- Search tool to locate specific information quickly
- RSS feeds to provide the latest news and service advisories
- Greater outreach through social networking vehicles such as Twitter and YouTube to keep riders connected to the transit community.
- A media center featuring video, webcasts, and calendar updates
- Imroved functionality to make information more accessible to individual with disabilities.
- Enahanced features and functionality for contractors and vendors wishing to do business with CDTA.
In effort to develop the most efficient website framework, CDTA surveyed its users to find out how they use the site, the features and information that are most important to them, and to assess their ability and desire to use online and mobile applications.
To encourage riders to utilize the website and download the newest tools, CDTA will hold a random drawing of ten 31 day rolling passes to everyone who gives feedback about the new site during the first week of its launch. Winners will be announced on the website during the week of February 1. Mobile users may also access the new website at http://www.cdta.org.
CDTA receives nearly 1.2 million website hits annually, with the greatest number of hits directed to schedule information. The website was developed with the assistance of consultant M2 Designs from Albany, New York.