Sunday, bus riders embarked on a new journey with CDTA. New routes across the county will bring riders to the area’s most popular destinations faster and more efficiently.
“We’ve designed a new route system, shaped largely by public input from beginning to end, that focuses on current lifestyles and travel needs that will better prepare us to meet future Capital Region transit demands,” said CDTA Chairwoman Denise Figueroa. “The route changes offer greater accessibility and more reliable service as we continue to improve mobility for our customers.”
The new plan, distinguished as the largest service improvement change in CDTA’s 40+year history, offers better connections for customers to job opportunities, health services and major destinations, including Patroon Creek, British American Boulevard, College of St. Rose, University at Albany, Crossgates, Crossgates Commons, and Albany’s South End.
Albany county service is the largest part of CDTA’s route network representing well over 50% of its ridership in the four-county Capital Region. More than a dozen Albany County routes have been restructured featuring improved trunk service, along with a new neighborhood and commuter route network.
“I applaud CDTA for their inclusive nature in redesigning various bus routes to afford better cross-town service, which, in turn, will enable employees to make more reliable job connections,” said Mayor Gerald Jennings. “These changes fully reflect the input of many transit users and, hopefully, will result in a more efficient and timely delivery of services. I am confident that these new routes will be well received and, more importantly, more greatly utilized.”
A comprehensive public education and awareness campaign entitled, “What’s Your Number? Learn, Ride and Connect,” is in motion to help riders understand the service changes and discover where new connections are made. CDTA supervisors and travel trainers will be monitoring the streets and on buses for a couple of weeks to provide customer assistance.
Phase two of the Albany Route Restructuring is scheduled to occur in 2012 with changes made to routes operating in outlying areas of Albany.
For more on the Albany County Service Improvement Plan visit www.cdta.org or contact CDTA’s Customer Information Center at 482-8822. Information operators are on duty 6am-7pm weekdays and 8am-6pm weekends and holidays. To stay connected with CDTA’s latest, visit facebook.com/CDTAiride or twitter.com/CDTA.
