September 11, 2012
CDTA SET TO LAUNCH NEW NX NORTHWAY XPRESS SERVICE
Reduced Fares and Service Enhancements Designed to Improve Rider Experience
(Albany, NY) – The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) will launch its redesigned Northway Xpress service featuring a series of enhancements to the rider experience. Improvements include the reduction of the number of fare zones and overall pricing, an additional mid-day trip and the introduction of a discounted monthly NX Swiper pass. The NX is a CDTA commuter service that runs from Saratoga County with stops at park & ride lots along the Northway (I-87) from as far as South Glens Falls, to downtown Albany.
The public education campaign tagline “It’s easy, flexible and light on your wallet” demonstrates its many transit benefits to riders. To make riding more affordable, easier to use and understand, NX fare zones have been reduced to 3 zones with lower fares. Some customers can now save up to 30% from previous fares. The new pricing is as follows:
The new Northway Xpress pricing structure for Zone One (Clifton Park/Halfmoon) is $4 per trip, $35 for a 10-trip pass, or $110 for an NX Swiper. New pricing for Zone Two (Ballston Spa/Malta) is $5 per trip, $40 for a 10-trip pass, and $125 for an NX Swiper. New pricing for Zone Three (S. Glens Falls/Saratoga Springs) is $7 per trip, $50 for a 10-trip pass, and $170 for an NX Swiper.
The NX Swiper offers the largest savings and includes access to all CDTA regular route services including BusPlus service on Route 5. Additionally, the new NX Swiper allows customers the flexibility to start using the pass when it’s convenient, accessing rides for consecutive 31 days. NX Swiper users may also participate in CDTA’s Guaranteed Ride Home program which allows them to take a limited number of free cab rides if no buses run at the time they need to get home.
CDTA conducted a survey of more than 300 NX riders to gauge how service could be improved. The largest requests were for an additional midday trip to provide greater schedule flexibility in case they needed to get home early. The redesigned services includes a new 2pm trip in addition to the dozen plus trips operating Monday-Friday from 5:30am to 7:00pm during peak commute times. Several public meetings and a public fare hearing was held in Saratoga County earlier this year to present the draft plan and gather public input.
Previously purchased NX tickets will continue to be accepted by the farebox after Oct. 1st. If customers wish to exchange their tickets for the new zone tickets, they may do so by mailing their tickets to the CDTA Treasury department at 110 Watervliet Avenue, Albany NY 12206. .The Treasury department will exchange the old NX tickets and make up the price differential with additional rides.
NX passes can be purchased online at CDTA.org, at the CDTA Sales Office at 85 Watervliet Avenue and at select CDTA sales outlets. NX Ten trip tickets may also be purchased on the bus.
More information regarding the NX service can be found at http://www.cdta.org/uploads/NXBrochureScheduleEffectiveOctober121012.pdf
