April 03, 2020
Latest Modification to Increase Operator and Customer Safety
ALBANY, NY (April 3, 2020) - CDTA continues to make thoughtful changes to its service and operating procedures to support New York State’s efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 and to increase safety for bus operators and customers.
Beginning on Monday, April 6 CDTA will temporarily move to a rear-door boarding process on its buses. Because of this fare collection will be suspended on all services, including paratransit service. Customers will be asked to use rear doors when boarding and exiting buses. Customers who use wheelchairs, have mobility issues, or have special needs may continue to use the front door.
These measures will maximize social distancing and help to protect bus operators and customers. CDTA has already implemented a Social Distancing Policy on all vehicles. This means keeping 6 feet from other customers and the bus operator when possible. Priority seating areas will remain in the upright position and are not to be used unless needed.
CDTA has implemented a modified weekday service schedule in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This schedule, which was introduced on Monday, March 30, is in place for all regular route services. STAR (paratransit), which is a critical transportation option for people who need to travel to medical and other urgent appointments, continues to operate on a weekday schedule.
The modified schedule uses Saturday service as its base, and adds several essential routes that serve medical facilities, grocery stores or other locations for essential trips.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has ordered that only essential trips be made on transit systems like CDTA. Transit is an essential service that will continue to operate to get essential employees to work and where they need to go. The Governor’s message is very clear, do not take public transportation unless urgent and necessary.
Information on updated service schedules, rear-door access and other things that CDTA is doing to respond to COVID-19 can be found on our website at www.cdta.org.
Customers with questions should call our customer service center at 518-482-8822. They can also stay up to date with service changes through our social media sites, Facebook (@ridecdta) and Twitter (@ridecdta)
The CDTA Sales Window at 85 Watervliet Avenue, Albany will be closed beginning April 6, until further notice. The lobby of CDTA at 110 Watervliet Avenue, Albany is open from 9am-3pm until further notice.
The CDTA Rensselaer Rail Station is open for operation, however there are very limited travel options available. The Grind and Brew cafe is temporarily closed in accordance with Governor Cuomo's executive orders. CDTA urges customers to verify travel plans before heading to the station. CDTA has postponed parking rate increases that were scheduled to go into effect in early April. Further information will be provided prior to those changes going into effect.
The Saratoga Springs Train Station will be closed beginning April 6 until further notice.
CDTA is following guidance from the New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control on how to keep employees and customers safe during this time of concern.
In addition to service changes, CDTA has modified bus and facility cleaning processes. On our buses, we are using a deep cleaning liquid that contains a hospital-grade sanitizing agent. Bus operators have access to disposable gloves and sanitizing wipes to do an additional wipe down of their work areas. We also have cleaners in the field doing wipe-downs of buses at layover areas, multiple times throughout the day. If anyone has concerns or observes any vehicle that needs attention, please report that immediately to CDTA.