The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) completed 2014 with record ridership, further recognition of its innovative transit system and new customer programs. CDTA is on track to serve 17 million riders this fiscal year, eclipsing the record set just one year ago. Ridership gains and system improvements continue to be driven by efforts to position the system as a better way to travel.
“We are proud to see the Capital Region is taking notice,” said CDTA Chairman David M. Stackrow. “It really is simple. We listen to what our customers and partners tell us they need to get to work, play and what matters. We are excited for a New Year filled with more service, our new smartcard and mobile ticketing system along with more solutions for our communities.”
The following is a look back at some of the top CDTA stories of the year:
- 10. Roping in the competition – CDTA took home top honors at the 2014 New York State Bus Roadeo held in the fall at Crossgates Mall. Schenectady Bus Operator Robert Rzeszuto placed first, beating out 12 other drivers from transit properties across the state. Rzeszuto, with 28 years of driving experience, also won CDTA’s local Roadeo in June. The annual statewide event drew bus operators from Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca and Kingston to compete in a course made up of several driving challenges.
- 9. We're listening – CDTA received funding for a new dispatch communications system. The $15 million dollars represents the first ever TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant Program Award for the Capital Region and will be used to purchase a new state-of-the-art radio communications system. The new system will feature an upgraded “nerve center” that will enable the entire system, including Bus Rapid Transit lines, to communicate in real-time.
- 8. Community matters - CDTA provided solutions for all segments of the communities it served in 2014. A few key examples; work with Cancer Services of Albany and Rensselaer Counties to raise awareness about colorectal cancer, partnering with the Rensselaer County’s Sherriff on an anti-bullying campaign and teaming up with the Music Mobile to have local children create safety messages that were then posted in a number of buses. In addition, fundraising, in- kind services and emergency assistance were once again the hallmarks of what CDTA provides for those in need.
- 7. Top Flight security – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) acknowledged CDTA for its outstanding security program. The TSA commended six rail and mass transit agencies from across the nation for earning the “Gold Standard” on their Baseline Assessments for Security Enhancement (BASE), which focus on building a strong security program. CDTA has a number of ongoing security measures to keep customers and employees safe including the national initiative, “If You See Something, Say Something,” and security cameras installed on a majority of fixed-route buses.
- 6. Bendable buses – CDTA’s Board of Directors approved the purchase of two articulated buses for use on high volume routes and future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines. The five year contract with New Flyer of America Inc. includes the initial purchase of two buses, training, spare parts and diagnostic equipment. Articulated buses will nearly double the capacity of a single vehicle, allowing for high volume routes to offer a better customer experience with less crowding. This is CDTA’s second time using this type of vehicle, having first introduced articulated buses in April 1984.
- 5. CDTA & me = free rides – A Gansevoort man took home top honors in the “CDTA and Me” customer contest that asked riders how CDTA impacts their lives. Andrew Soper, who rides the Northway Xpress daily to work, topped the public voting with his story of childbirth, an unexpected incident and how CDTA helped save the day. In all, thousands of entries were submitted with Soper earning the top prize of free rides for a year. His story centered on his ability to get home after his wife and unborn child were involved in a serious car accident – all with a happy ending.
- 4. New way to pay – CDTA pushed forward with its new state-of-the-art fare collection system as the fixed-route fleet is now fully equipped with new fareboxes. The new system allows for contactless smart cards and mobile ticketing along with access to web-based portals and the ability to “recharge” on demand or automatic replenishment (similar to EZ-Pass). A series of public meetings and hearings were held to solidify the new fare structure, which has no fare increase to the base cost to ride, while smartcards and mobile tickets will offer additional flexibility and enhanced security.
- 3. Small Starts for BusPlus – The expansion of BusPlus’ limited stop service to a 40-mile route network moved closer with acceptance of CDTA’s application into the federally-funded Small Starts program. BusPlus, CDTA’s Bus Rapid Transit service, was introduced in April 2011 and has generated consistent ridership gains. The plans for additional BRT routes on the Washington-Western and River Corridors (Routes 4/32 along the Hudson River) will serve the second and third busiest transit corridors in the region. The Small Starts program is part of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grant program and covers projects with budgets up to $65 million dollars.
- 2. Real time, real success – CDTA rolled out Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) for its fleet of fixed route buses in November. Customers can access real time transit information for fixed route services through the free CDTA iride mobile application (Apple & Android), on the CDTA website or by speaking with a customer service representative. Customers have accessed RTPI nearly 1 million times since the rollout, averaging close to 17,000 visits per day. Previously, real time passenger information had been available to only BusPlus customers since its launch in 2011.
- 1. Record ridership – CDTA has enjoyed close to four consecutive years of month-to-month ridership increases heading into 2015. The Authority is on pace to finish the fiscal year, which ends in April, with record ridership of 17 million after breaking a 30-year-old mark with 16.49 million boardings last year. Ridership is up 5% from last year and joined by a 2% increase in customer revenue. In the last three years, CDTA ridership has surged ahead on the strength of redesigned services, BusPlus’ limited stop service, a stronger Universal Access bulk ridership program and shifting community needs.
