October 06, 2017
CDTA Named Best Mid-Size Public Transportation System in North America
ALBANY, NY (August 15, 2017) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) announced today that it has been named the Best Mid-Size Public Transportation System in North America for 2017 by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
CDTA’s reliability, innovation, service design and community relationships make it one of the top public transportation systems in North America. At an event at Bob Ford Field on the campus of the University at Albany, CDTA Board Chairman David M. Stackrow and Chief Executive Officer Carm Basile made the announcement to local officials, business leaders, community partners and current and past employees.
“The Capital Region should be very proud of the work CDTA does to ensure a comprehensive variety of services and offerings for its customers,” said CDTA Chairman of the Board, David M. Stackrow. “The region’s geography makes a cohesive transportation network challenging, but CDTA has worked hard to connect the area cities and surrounding towns with a number of unique and innovative services, like our new bike-share program, CDPHP Cycle!, Bus Rapid Transit service along Route 5 and our smartcard and mobile payment program Navigator”
“I am so proud of our organization, our region, and our partners,” said CDTA CEO Carm Basile. “While the APTA award wasn’t possible without the loyalty of our customers, it certainly wasn’t possible without our employees who work hard every day to improve the quality of life in the Capital Region, and all of our business partners who are here with us today.”
“Congratulations to the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) for being selected as the best mid-size public transportation system in North America,” said APTA Acting President and CEO Richard A. White. “Receiving the 2017 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award is a very prestigious honor. In particular, I want to commend CDTA for its successful community partnerships that have led to record ridership over the last several years, showing how vital CDTA is for the Capital Region.”
“This is earned and well-deserved recognition for CDTA,” said Capital Region Chamber CEO Mark Eagan. “When they see a need they fill it, whether it’s more frequent routes within a certain community, more and better bicycle racks on the front of the buses, helping better coordinate taxi service throughout the region, or an easy to use mobile interface so riders can check arrival schedules. CDTA makes it easy for people to get where they need to go.”
“CDTA has been a fantastic partner for Rivers Casino & Resort since day one, and they are a big part of what makes the Capital Region a wonderful place to live and visit,” said Mary Cheeks, General Manager of Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady. “I’d like to congratulate all the hardworking members of the CDTA team on this well-deserved recognition, and I look forward to continuing to work with Carm and the rest of the team.”
“Congratulations to CDTA on being named the best transportation system in North America,” said UAlbany Athletic Director Mark Benson. CDTA is as much a part of the student experience here at UAlbany as clubs, athletics, and dorm life. We trust CDTA to get our kids where they need to be on time. We trust CDTA to provide a safe environment for young people that in many cases are away from home for the first time. And we trust that CDTA is going to help these kids expand their horizons and explore all that this area has to offer.”
CDTA representatives will attend the APTA conference in early October in Atlanta, GA, to receive the award, but will take the Capital Region with them via social media. Updates can be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RideCDTA/ Twitter (@CDTA), Instagram (@RideCDTA).