May 31, 2017
Report Highlights Consistent, Strong Transit Network
ALBANY, NY (May 31, 2017) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) released its annual Route Performance Report at their monthly Board Meeting Wednesday, May 31, 2017. The report, which covers Fiscal Year 2016-2017, focuses on ridership and productivity trends, while looking at service changes and route recommendations for the year ahead.
The report highlights that most trunk routes have continued to exceed performance standards outlined in the company’s Transit Development Plan (TDP). Trunk routes are the major bus routes that operate seven days a week with high service frequencies. Total ridership held steady at 17 million, keeping CDTA near record levels of ridership recorded over the past six years. Some neighborhood and commuter routes have seen decreases, due to lower frequency and shorter spans of service. CDTA continually revamps its network several times a year based on ridership trends, demographics and new developments. Resources have also been devoted to install new shelters, provide enhanced technology and improve waiting areas to enhance the customer experience. The top performing routes system-wide:
- Route #905 Bus Plus (Red Line) Albany-Schenectady, 1.9 million rides
- Route #12 Washington Avenue, 1.8 million rides
- Route # 1 Central Avenue/Wolf Road, 1.2 million rides
- Route # 22 Albany-Troy-Watervliet, 1.2 million rides
The growth and popularity of Universal Access partnerships with colleges, schools and major employers, has helped sustain ridership through a downward trend being seen nationally over the past two years. The Cohoes Central School District is the latest partner to join the UA family. High school and middle school students will access new service options beginning in the fall. CDTA services provide better access for students to travel to school and after school activities. UA agreements now generate more than 4 million boardings annually or just shy of 25% of CDTA’s total ridership.
CDTA plans to roll out new Downtowner services as part of its growing menu of mobility options. These services will connect employment, residential and recreational locations in the region’s principal cities. The first services to come online will be the Capital City Shuttle in Albany and the Electric City Trolley in Schenectady. More details will be released.
To view the Route Performance Report or past reports visit: http://www.cdta.org/annual-route-performance-report
The CDTA Board of Directors meets on the last Wednesday of every month at the CDTA Headquarters in Albany. Board meetings are open to the public and streamed live at www.cdta.org