June 28, 2023
Popular Seasonal Service Returns to Saratoga and Grafton Lakes State Park; Summer Fun Pass Available for Purchase
ALBANY, NY (June 28, 2023) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) held its monthly Board of Directors meeting today, Wednesday, June 28, at its administrative headquarters. One of the service items that was discussed included the return of a variety of summer service programs that make it easy to travel to summer destinations throughout the Capital Region. These services include the return of the popular Navigator Summer Fun Pass, the Saratoga Summer Visitors Trolley, service to Grafton Lakes State Park, and more.
The Summer Fun Pass offers Capital Region young people, 17 and under, unlimited rides on CDTA regular route buses from July 1 to August 31, 2023, for just $44. The pass offers a significant savings of nearly 70% from the cost of monthly Navigator passes. Area kids can use the Summer Fun Pass to get to key destinations like Grafton Lakes State Park, local pools, parks, and summer employment opportunities throughout CDTA’s five-county service area. Customers can purchase passes at the CDTA Sales Center located at 85 Watervliet Avenue in Albany and the Saratoga Springs Train Station at 26 Station Lane in Saratoga Springs. Customers can also go to www.cdta.org to purchase a Summer Fun Pass.
CDTA’s Saratoga Summer Trolley will return to service starting Thursday, July 13, and will run through Labor Day. The popular trolley service is free of charge for customers, and it operates Wednesday through Sunday each week during the racing season from noon until 10:00 p.m. The trolley route offers convenient service to hotels and attractions along Broadway in downtown, and it operates to the front door of the Saratoga Race Course and the Saratoga Casino Hotel.
For more than 30 years, CDTA has provided summer service to Grafton Lakes State Park and will do so once again beginning Wednesday, June 28. CDTA Route 96 allows customers to board buses at any CDTA bus stop along the route that begins in Downtown Troy and ends at Grafton Park. The service operates from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday to Sunday through Labor Day. The complete schedule can be found at www.cdta.org.
“Ride the Plaza” tours will return on Friday, July 7. People can ride the CDTA trolley and get a tour of the Empire State Plaza and adjoining sites for free. Riders will learn about local landmarks, historic architecture, memorials, and more. Tour guides are on board to provide flavor and detail to the tours. The trolley can accommodate up to 30 passengers, and reservations are highly recommended.
There will be three tours on Fridays, running from the July 7 start date through September 1. Tours are 45 minutes long, and people can board the trolley on Madison Avenue, near the NYS WWII Memorial. To make a reservation, go to https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/tours/plaza-trolley-tour.