The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) previously received $5 million in Federal Transit Administration Bus Discretionary funding allocated in 2018 to help cover the cost for construction the River Corridor Bus Rapid Transit System. This six-mile corridor includes the purchase of vehicles, construction of stops and other associated improvements. The new service will connect people to jobs, education and services they need to improve their economic livelihood.
It was my experience while working for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Region 2 Office (which serves 36 transit operators in New York and New Jersey) for more than three decades, that my old friends at CDTA ran one of the most cost effective transportation services in upstate New York. I had the privilege of working with them on previous Bus Rapid Transit projects.
They had a proven track record of completing most FTA funded capital projects on time and within budget. Any contract change orders were documented, fair and reasonable. When it comes to implementation of Bus Rapid Transit and federally funded capital improvement project, CDTA is a model transit agency for others to emulate.
CDTA bus services continue to be one of the best bargains around. It is a model cost effective suburban bus operation that others should emulate. I congratulate the hard working men and women of CDTA, especially those who manage their FTA grant program, who made all of this possible. This includes winning extra federal transit dollars on a periodic basis. Best of luck to my old colleagues at CDTA in winning even more future Federal Transit Administration Discretionary Bus Grants in 2021!
On my next visit to Albany, I look forward to riding the CDTA River Corridor Bus Rapid Transit line.
-------------------
Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office. This included the development, review, approval and oversight for billions in capital projects and programs for the MTA, NYC Transit, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, MTA Bus, NYC DOT, NJ Transit, along with 30 other transit agencies in New York and New Jersey.
