October 25, 2012
(Albany, NY) – To encourage the public to vote in the upcoming election season, the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) will offer STAR customers free transportation service to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, 2012. All CDTA service will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Election Day.
“Voting is a basic right for all citizens and is especially important during presidential election years,” said Chief Executive Officer Carm Basile. “As a community partner, we take pride in doing our part to eliminate barriers that will make it easier for customers to get to the polls, voice their opinion and ensure greater voter turnout.”
CDTA will provide free trips to Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga and Rensselaer election poll sites for STAR customers on November 6, 2012. STAR service to these sites must be within ¾ mile of CDTA fixed route service. Reservations for free trip requests must be made to STAR at (518) 482-2022 no later than Monday, November 5, 2012 by 5:00pm.
STAR is Special Transit Available by Request; a Para-transit service offering transportation alternatives to people whom at certain times cannot use, or have substantial difficulty using, the CDTA fixed-route bus system because of a disability or impairment. To become eligible to use STAR service, an individual must complete the certification process and receive approval as a STAR customer.
Currently CDTA delivers more than 260,000 rides to STAR customers every year. STAR ridership has been in a tremendous growth pattern over the last several years showing a 5% increase during the same time period last year.
Visit www.cdta.org or contact CDTA’s Customer Information Center at 482-8822. Information operators are on duty 6am-7pm weekdays, 8am-6pm on Saturday and 8am-5pm on Sundays and holidays. To stay connected with CDTA’s latest, visit facebook.com/CDTAiride or follow us on twitter @CDTA.
