October 14, 2011
(Albany, NY) – Yesterday, it was announced that CDTA will receive$9.5 Million in grant funds for Completion of Route 5 BusPlus Operations and several fleet replacement Vehicles. $5.5 million of this investment are funds received from the U.S. Department of Transportation to go toward the purchase and installation of eight bus shelters, 911 blue light emergency phones, security cameras, and for the additional real time signs for NY5 bus rapid transit at the BusPlus stations on Route 5. Real time message signs will alert people to when the next bus will arrive.
CDTA applied for these funds in July under the highly competitive Bus Livability Program grant with a total of $25 million available nationally and 100’s of competition applications received nationwide.
BusPlus was launched in April 2011 featuring limited stop express service and premium hybrid buses and stations. This additional funding allows CDTA to finish its multi-layered BusPlus project with expected completion as early as spring 2012. BusPlus service operates on a 17-mile corridor that runs from downtown Schenectady to downtown Albany through the communities of Colonie and Niskayuna where 15% of Capital Region people live and 30%% of its jobs are located within ½ mile of the corridor. BusPlus is part of a 100 mile Bus Rapid Transit plan, with the NY 5 corridor serving as a model for other transit corridors.
CDTA will also receive another $4 million for vehicle replacement through the 2011 State of Good Repair Program. CDTA will replace buses in its fleet that are ready for retirement with buses averaging a life span of 12 years.
