NY: CDTA Annual Route Performance Report Released

July 31, 2014
Record ridership leads service planning and project development.

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Board of Directors today released the Annual Route Performance Report at its monthly meeting held at the Rensselaer Rail Station. The report focuses on ridership and productivity, offers a description of major service changes and service recommendations for the upcoming year.

The key findings of the report show that a majority of CDTA routes are above productivity thresholds with nearly all routes above 15 riders per hour. Planning will focus on enhancing routes at capacity through the continued reallocation service to areas with most demand with reductions for the lowest performing routes where necessary

On-time performance is also being addressed with routes regularly adjusted to improve schedule adherence. The report addresses future service and infrastructure needs focusing on the expansion of BusPlus, adding downtown circulators in core cities, exploring opportunities to build Transit Centers and a pilot program for articulated buses.

Other new

Total ridership in June was 1.29 million (7 percent higher than last June) and for the first quarter of the fiscal year, CDTA ridership is up 5 percent (4.17 million) over the same period last year. If these trends continue, ridership may exceed 17 million this year. The increases are fueled by redesigned services, a growing partner base and universal access relationships.

NABI Parts LLC was awarded a two-year contract to provide brake drums for the fixed route fleet. The contract value is estimated at $239,085 with funds coming from FY15 & FY16 Operating Budgets.

CDTA’s order of 15 buses from Gillig has been completed as all of the new vehicles are on site. Maintenance employees have inspected each vehicle all buses are scheduled to be in service shortly. When the transition is complete, the average age of the fixed route fleet will be about 6.5 years.