CDTA Modifies Routes to Connect to Essential Services and Businesses During the COVID-19 Response

Critical Routes and Northway Commuter Service Adjusted Until Further Notice

ALBANY, NY (March 27, 2020) - CDTA will modify its service schedule beginning Monday, March 30 to increase frequency and hours of operation on critical routes that service hospitals, medical facilities, grocery stores, pharmacies and other essential businesses. Other routes, including the Northway Express (NX) commuter service will be modified to meet customer demand. Service levels are being evaluated on a continuous basis and may be modified further as appropriate. 

Routes that will be affected with this latest service modification are #1, #22, #351, #353, #452 #531, Northway Express (NX) Commuter service, and the #905 (Bus Plus). In most instances, the changes reflect increased frequency to meet ridership needs and to promote and practice social distancing on buses. For updated service information and schedules visit www.cdta.org.

The Northway Express commuter service (NX) will be reduced to four (4) morning trips, one (1) midday trip, and four (4) afternoon/evening trips. All trips will serve the Milton Park and Ride stops at Exit 15 in Saratoga Springs, stops at Exit 12 in Malta and stops at Exit 9 in Clifton Park. All trips will operate to and from the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Revised NX schedules can be found at www.cdta.org

CDTA is implementing a temporary Social Distancing Policy on all vehicles. This means keeping 6ft from other passengers and the Operator when possible. Priority seating areas will remain in the upright position and are not to be used unless needed.

CDTA implemented a modified weekday service schedule on March 23, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This schedule is in place for all regular route services. STAR (paratransit), which is a critical transportation option for people getting to medical and other urgent appointments, continues to operate on a full weekday schedule. 

In addition to routes that normally operate on Saturday, the modified schedule added several routes that do not normally operate on Saturday but are important to our service delivery system. These routes serve medical facilities, grocery stores or other locations to which essential trips need to be made. 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has ordered that only essential trips be made on mass transportation services. Transit is an essential service that will continue to operate to get health care workers and other 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.

Updated service schedules, which are attached, 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 is open Monday-Friday from 11am-3pm until further notice. The lobby of CDTA at 110 Watervliet Avenue, Albany is open from 9am-3pm until further notice.

The CDTA Rennselaer Rail Station and Saratoga Springs Train Station are open. Customers should check their travel plans before heading to either station to make sure their trip is still running. At the RRS, Grind and Brew cafe is temporarily closed in accordance with Governor Cuomo's executive orders.

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.

MARCH 30, 2020 SERVICE CHANGES