Capital District Transportation Authority | |
Founded: | 1970 (previously United Traction Company in 1890) |
Headquarters: | 110 Watervliet Avenue Albany, New York |
Locale: | Capital District |
Service Area: | Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, Montgomery, Washington, and Warren counties |
Service Type: | Local bus service express bus service commuter coach service bus rapid transit paratransit (STAR) |
Routes: | 65 |
Stops: | 2,902[1] |
Fleet: | 306 |
Ridership: | |
Annual Ridership: | |
Fuel Type: | Diesel, diesel-electric hybrid |
Operator: | CDTA (all except Northway Express) Upstate Transit (Northway Express only) Brown Transportation (Thruway Express only) |
Ceo: | Carm Basile |
Depots: | Albany Depot: 110 Watervliet Avenue, Albany NY Troy Depot: 40 Hoosick Street, Troy NY, Schenectady Depot: 2401 Maxon Rd. Schenectady NY Upstate Transit of Saratoga: 207 Geyser Rd. Saratoga Springs NY Brown Transportation: 50 Venner Rd. Amsterdam NY, Glen Falls Depot: 495 Queensbury Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804 |
The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is a New York State public-benefit corporation overseeing a number of multi-modal parts of public transportation in the Capital District of New York State (Albany, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington counties).[2] CDTA runs local and express buses, including four lines of an express bus service called BusPlus (one between Albany and Schenectady, two between Albany and either Waterford and Cohoes, and another one between Albany and Crossgates Mall), and day-to-day management of three Amtrak stations in the Capital region–the Albany-Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga Springs Amtrak stations. In, the system had a ridership of, or about per weekday as of .
Created as an act of the New York State Legislature in August 1970, CDTA was formed similarly to agencies in Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. In 1970, CDTA purchased and took over management of the United Traction Company and Schenectady Transit.
CDTA bus operators, dispatchers, and supervisory staff are organized in Local 1321 of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU).
CDTA is overseen by a nine-member board of directors.[3]
At the present time, the board representation includes:
There is also an executive director that handles day-to-day business, reporting to the board of directors. In 2017, the CDTA had operating expenses of $108.41 million and a level of staffing of 821 people.[4]
CDTA operates 65 routes, many of which connect neighborhoods to downtowns or downtowns to shopping areas; with six routes linking key towns together. Two routes, 11-UAlbany Shuttle and 286-RPI Shuttle, are shuttle services for area universities which are also open to the public. Service mostly runs from 5:30 a.m.-12:00 a.m. weeknights, 6:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. Saturdays, and 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Sundays with the college routes running until 2:00 a.m. in Albany and Troy.
Before CDTA, many of these routes belonged to the Albany-Nassau Bus Company (Routes 32/33) and United Traction. Buses run from Capital Depot next to CDTA's headquarters on 110 Watervliet Avenue in Albany.
In early 2011, CDTA announced its plans to restructure the Albany County bus routes in two phases. Phase 1 involved reconstructing routes within the city of Albany, with a public input campaign held until August 2011. The results were five new neighborhood routes and three commuter routes. Its goal was to have a more uniformed bus system without any route deviation. Phase 1 of the reconstructing went into effect on November 13, 2011. In August 2012, CDTA revealed the draft plan for Phase 2 of the reconstructing. Phase 2 involved reconstructing routes within the western and northern portions of Albany County, with a public input campaign held until September 2012. Phase 2 of the reconstructing went into effect on November 11, 2012.
Route | Terminals | Major streets | Notes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
valign=top style="background:#000099;color:white" id=1 | 1 [6] | Albany Bus TerminalMadison & Green | Wolf Rd. & Colonie Center | Central Ave., NY 5 | Rt. 5 local service between Downtown Albany and Colonie Center, sometimes will turn into 355 (see Schenectady Division) | |
valign=top style="background:#000099;color:white" id=10 | 10 [7] | Broadway & Steuben St.Broadway & Orange St. | Crossgates Mall | Western Ave., Rt. 20 | Rt. 20 local service between Downtown Albany and Crossgates Mall | |
valign=top style="background:#000099;color:white" id=12 | 12 [8] | Broadway & Steuben St.Broadway & Orange | Crossgates Mall | Washington Ave. | ||
valign=top style="background:#000099;color:white" id=13 | 13 [9] | Albany Bus Terminal Madison & Green | Price Chopper/ Shoprite (Slingerlands) | New Scotland Ave., Lark St., NY 85 | ||
valign=top style="background:#000099;color:white" id=18 | 18 [10] | Albany Bus TerminalMadison & Green | Price Chopper/ Shoprite (Slingerlands) | Delaware Ave., Lark St., Cherry Ave., NY 443 | ||
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=100 | 100[11] | Clinton Square Station | S. Pearl St & Dunn Memorial BridgeS. Pearl St & Beaver St. | Pearl St., Morton Ave, Quail St., Livingston Ave, and Lark Dr. | Mid City Belt | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=106 | 106[12] | Clinton Square StationS. Pearl St & Dunn Memorial Bridge | S. Pearl St & Beaver StN. Pearl St & Van Tromp St | Pearl St, 2nd Ave, Whitehall Rd. Allen St. Livingston Ave, Lark Dr | Uptown Belt | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=107 | 107[13] | Clinton Square Station | Glenmont Price Chopper | South Pearl St., Mt. Hope Dr., Route 9W | ||
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=114 | 114[14] | UAlbany Health Science CampusRensselaer Rail Station | Crossgates Mall | Third St., Western Ave., Madison Ave. | Limited service beyond Rensselaer Rail Station | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=117 | 117[15] | Crossgates Mall | Albany County Jail | Western Ave., Fuller Rd., Wolf Rd., | Colonie crosstown. No Saturday service. | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=125 | 125[16] | Albany Bus Terminal | Central Ave. & Colonie Center | Sand Creek Rd., Everett Rd., Clinton Ave. | No Sunday service | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=155 | 155[17] | Crossgates Mall | Albany International Airport | Washington Ave. Ext., New Karner Rd., Watervliet Shaker Rd., NY 155 | Suburban circulator. Weekends only. | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=214 | 214[18] | Empire State Plaza ConcourseBroadway & Hudson Ave. | East Greenbush Tech Park | Washington Ave., 3rd St. | Stops at ESP weekdays only | |
233[19] | Empire State Plaza ConcourseBroadway & Hudson Ave. | Schodack Park & Ride | Rt. 9, Rt. 20 | Stops at ESP weekdays only | ||
519[20] | Empire State Plaza Concourse | Elm Avenue Park & Ride | Rt. 20, NY 146, NY 156, NY 85, I-787 | Weekday express service only | ||
524[21] | Empire State Concourse/South Swan St. & Washington Ave. | 80 Broadway Lot | I-787 | Weekday express service only | ||
712[22] | Quail St. | Walmart -Crossgates Commons | Washington Ave., Colvin Ave., Central Ave. | Limited weekday service only – provides service to the Harriman State Office Campus | ||
737[23] | Albany Bus TerminalMadison Ave & Green St | Albany International Airport | Albany Shaker Rd., Everett Rd., Henry Johnson Blvd. | One seat ride from downtown to airport, limited weekday service only | ||
valign=top style="background:#a83800;color:white" id=801 | 801 | (many routes)Albany Bus Terminal (red line, blue line) | Myers Middle School | Only available for students and when school is in session | ||
valign=top style="background:#a83800;color:white" id=813 | 813 | Church St. & 5th St. | Wolf Rd. & Colonie Center | I87, I90, Rt 85, Wolf Rd. | Runs only on Tuesday. Ravena Shopping Bus. | |
valign=top style="background:#67309f;color:white" id=910 | 910[24] | Albany Bus Terminal | Crossgates Mall | Washington Ave, State St., Western Ave | Rt. 20 BusPlus service between Downtown Albany and Crossgates Mall, with only 14 stops per trip. |
Route | Terminals | Major streets | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=351 | 351 [26] | Golub Corp. | Gerling St. & Sheridan Ave. | Broadway, Van Vranken Ave. | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=352 | 352 [27] | Price Chopper - Altamont Ave. | Gerling St. & Sheridan Ave. | McClellan St., Altamont Ave. | No weekend service |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=353 | 353 [28] | Walmart – Glenville | Price Chopper – Altamont Ave. | Mohawk Ave. | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=354 | 354 [29] | Rotterdam Square Mall | Shoprite – Niskayuna | Nott St., I-890 | Weekday only |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=355 | 355 [30] | Gateway Plaza | Central Ave. & Colonie Center | State St., Central Ave., NY 5 | Rt. 5 local service between Downtown Schenectady and Colonie Center |
560 (TX)[31] | Main St. & Market St. | Kiernan Plaza | I-787, I-90 | Weekday express service only | |
763 [32] | Liberty Park | Crossgates Mid-Mall | Madison Ave., Lark St., Western Ave., Rt. 20, Curry Rd., Broadway | Limited weekday service only | |
830 | Yates Village | Glenville Walmart/Rotterdam Mall | Rt 7, Erie Blvd | Runs only on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Schenectady Shopping Bus. | |
905 [33] | Gateway Plaza SCCC | Albany Bus Terminal | State St., Central Ave., NY 5 | Rt. 5 Bus Plus service between Downtown Schenectady and Downtown Albany, with only 19 stops per trip |
The City of Saratoga Springs service also operates from Schenectady Division. These routes run seven days a week. Before July 2007, the Saratoga Springs buses were operated from the Uncle Sam Depot at 40 Hoosick Street in Troy, with limited service. There was no direct connection to the Albany/Schenectady/Troy routes. Route #50 was operated from the Electric Depot at 2401 Maxon Road Ext. in Schenectady, and only provided one AM and one PM weekday trip between Schenectady and Ballston Spa. On July 2, 2007, the initial Saratoga Springs Route Expansion went into effect, with the implementation of a new three-digit route identification system. Route #50 was extended to provide hourly service, seven days a week; on NY 50 between Schenectady and Wilton Mall, with deviations along Rowland St and Geyser Rd in Milton as well as deviations along Excelsior Ave in Saratoga Springs. All of the Saratoga Springs buses began operating from the Schenectady Garage on Maxon Rd. Ext. On May 28, 2016, the Saratoga Springs restructure plan went into effect. Route #50 was renumbered Route #450 and rerouted to run along NY 50 from Schenectady to Wilton Mall with no deviations. New Routes #451 and #452 include former Route #50 deviations, as well as portions of old Routes #472 and #473. CDTA plans to eventually construct a Saratoga Springs bus garage at Grande Industrial Park, off of Geyser Rd.
Route | Terminals | Major streets | Notes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=450 | 450[35] | Gateway Plaza | Wilton Mall | NY 50, Broadway | ||
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=451 | 451[36] | Saratoga Springs train station | Department of Social Services, Ballston Spa | Rowland St., Geyser Rd., Lake Ave., Church St., Kirby Rd. | ||
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=452 | 452[37] | Wilton Mall | Skidmore College | Excelsior Ave., Broadway, Clinton St. | ||
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=840 | 840[38] | Stonequist Apartments | Wilton Mall | Union Ave. | New Shopping shuttle created in July 2015. Runs on Tuesdays only.[39] | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=875 | 875[40] | Saratoga Casino and Raceway | Courtyard Hotel, Saratoga Springs | Broadway, Nelson Ave., Jefferson St., Avenue of the Pines | Seasonal trolley operates from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Wed - Sun only | |
valign=top style="background:#FFFF00;color::#000099" id=NX(540) | NX (540)[41] | Empire State Plaza, Albany | Milton Town Hall/ Exit 9 - Crossing Park & Ride - Clifton Park/ Route 50 & High Street - Ballston Spa | I-87, I-787 | Weekday express service only |
Route | Terminals | Major streets | Notes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
valign=top style="background:#000099;color:white" id=22 | 22 [43] | River St. & Front St. | Madison Ave. & Empire State Plaza, Albany | Broadway, NY 32 | Rt. 32 local service between Downtown Albany and Downtown Troy | |
valign=top style="background:#000099;color:white" id=85 | 85 [44] | Northern Dr. & 8th Ave | Hudson Valley Community College | Rt. 4 | ||
valign=top style="background:#000099;color:white" id=87 | 87 [45] | River St. & Front St. | Walmart – Brunswick Plaza | Hoosick St. & 15th St. | ||
valign=top style="background:#a83800;color:white" Id=96 | 96 [46] | River St. & Front St | Grafton Lakes State Park | Hoosick St, & NY 2. | Seasonal Service (Summers only) 7 Days a week | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=182 | 182[47] | River St. & Front St. | Albany Bus TerminalMadison & Green | Henry Johnson Blvd., Van Rensselaer Blvd., Northern Blvd., Rt. 9, Columbia St., NY 32 | Runs seven days a week between Downtown Albany, Latham Farms, Cohoes, Green Island, Watervliet and Troy | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=190 | 190[48] | Latham Farms Shopping Center | Crossgates Mall | Wade Rd., Wolf Rd., Fuller Rd. | No weekend service | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=224 | 224[49] | River St. & Front St. | Empire State Plaza Concourse | I-787, I-90, Rt. 4 | No weekend serviceDoes not serve downtown troy after 7:30 pm, ends at HVCC | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=286 | 286[50] | River & Front St. / Sunset Dr. & Forsyth Terrace | Vanderheyden Hall / Myrtle Ave & Pawling Ave | Pawling Ave., 15th St., Congress St. | No Sunday service | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=289 | 289[51] | Madison Ave. & Project St. | 15th St. & Massachusetts Ave.15th St. & Park Blvd | Pawling Ave., 4th St., 15th St. | ||
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id=370 | 370[52] | River St. & Front St., Troy | Rivers Casino, Erie Blvd Schenectady | NY 2, Union St., NY 7 | ||
valign=top style="background:#FF9900;color::#000099" id=802 | 802 | Troy High School | Cottage St & Marvin Ave. | Burdett Ave, 15th St, Pawling Ave | Troy High School service | |
valign=top style="background:#a83800;color:white" id=815 | 815 | Lansingburgh Apartments | Walmart/Brunswick Plaza | Hoosick, River St., 2nd Ave | Runs only on Wednesday. Troy Shopping Bus. | |
valign=top style="background:#a83800;color:white" id=821 | 821 | Target & Rensselaer Plaza | St. Jude Senior Apts | Bloomingrove Dr. | Runs only on Thursday. North Greenbush Shopping Bus. | |
valign=top style="background:#367588;color:white" id=922 | 922[53] | Canal Square – Downtown Cohoes | 2nd Ave & Delaware Ave, Albany | Ontario St, Rt 4, Rt 32 and 2nd Ave | Rt. 32 Bus Plus service between Albany and Downtown Cohoes, with only 26 stops per trip | |
valign=top style="background:#367588;color:white" id=923 | 923[54] | Broad St & 4th St, Waterford | Albany County Rail Trail | Rt 4, Rt 32 | Rt. 32 Bus Plus service between Albany and Downtown Waterford, with only 27 stops per trip |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" id= 600 | 600 [56] | Amsterdam High School | Perth Rd, Guy Park Ave/Division St., E. Main Street, Church St. Clizbe Ave | Neighborhood belt | ||
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 601 [57] | Amsterdam High School | Destefano Ave & Barkley Elementary | Midline Rd, Perth Rd., Rt. 30 | No Sunday service | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 602 [58] | Guy Park Ave & St. Mary's Hospital | Veder/Nott Station, Schenectady | Guy Park Ave/ Division Street, E. Main Street Scotia, Mohawk Ave, St. Street | Weekdays only | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white"id=605 | 605[59] | St. Mary's Hospital | Nott St. & St. James Plaza | Guy Park Ave/ Division St, E. Main St. NY 5 | Weekends only |
Formerly Greater Glens Falls Transit until CDTA took over operations on January 1, 2024.
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 402 [61] | Ridge St. Terminal | SUNY Adirondack | Bay St., Bay Rd. | No Sunday service | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 403 [62] | |||||
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 404 [63] | Ridge St. Terminal | Fort Edward Amtrak | Main St, Blvd, Warren St, Maple St, Ridge St, Dix Ave. | No Sunday service | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 405 [64] | Ridge St. Terminal | Rt. 9 & Fawn Rd. | Saratoga Ave, Main St., Fawn Rd. | No Sunday service | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 407 [65] | Ridge St. Terminal | Van Dunsen Rd. & Luzerne Rd. | Broad St, Luzerne Rd, Van Dunsen Rd, Corinth Rd, Main St. | No Sunday service | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 411 [66] | Ridge St. Terminal | Glens Falls Walmart | Glen St, Lake George Rd, | No Sunday service | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 412 [67] | Ridge St. Terminal | Aviation Mall / Montcalm Apts. | Glen St, Aviation Rd | No Sunday service | |
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 413 [68] | |||||
valign=top style="background:#009900;color:white" | 419 [69] | Ridge St. Terminal | Beach Rd (Lake George) | Bay St, Quaker Rd, Lake George Rd, Rt. 9, E. Shore Rd. | No Weekend service | |
valign=top style="background:#a83800;color:white" Id=876 | 876[70] | Beach Road Terminal | Lake George RV Park | NYS Route 9 | Summers Only, Glen Falls Trolley | |
valign=top style="background:#a83800;color:white" Id=877 | 877[71] | Beach Road Terminal | Bolton Landing | Lake Shore Drive | Summers only, Glen Falls Trolley North |
CDTA formerly ran three suburban shuttles, all operated by Albany Division, that used smaller cutaway vans, with the purpose of serving offices and major points of interest not on main CDTA routes, nor needing full sized buses. In November 2012, all Shuttle services were discontinued and replaced with fixed-route service during Phase 2 of the Albany County reconstructing. Two new bus routes (#117 and #155) were created. Route #117 operates between British-American Blvd, Albany International Airport, Wolf Rd, Colonie Center, Crossgates Mall and Twenty Mall. Route #155 operates between Albany International Airport, ITT Tech, NY 155, Washington Ave Ext., Walmart, and Crossgates Mall.
The 2005 plan included the development of bus rapid transit on the Route 5 corridor, between Downtown Albany and Downtown Schenectady, supplementing Route 55 (which handled 20% of CDTA's ridership[72]). This plan also led to modifications on Routes 1 and 2. Queue jumping and signal priority were planned to make BRT more attractive to the region, after light rail was rejected. As of mid-2007, this part of the 2005 plan was placed on hold.
In early 2008, CDTA announced that it was going forward with the bus rapid transit line on NY 5, which included 19 upgraded stations.[73] NY 5 BRT service began on Monday, April 4, 2011, with new silver and red-branded Gillig 40-foot hybrid buses, numbered Route 905 and referred to as BusPlus. Other routes were adjusted accordingly.
Route 905 is more of an enhanced limited-stop service than an actual BRT service, with only 19 stops between Downtown Schenectady and Downtown Albany. In November 2020, the BRT BusPlus Service was expanded from one to three routes with 905 being referred to as the "Red Line" and the two new routes that operate along the NY 32/Broadway corridor between Downtown Albany, Menands, and Troy/Cohoes, 922 & #23, as the "Blue Line". The line along the Washington Ave./Western Ave. corridor is referred to as the "Purple Line" or the 910.
In cooperation with the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, CDTA operates open-air trolleys during the summer months. In the past, the trolleys would run from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day to serve popular destinations such as the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Spa State Park, the Saratoga Casino and Raceway, the Saratoga Race Course and Broadway. Prior to 2011, the trolley ran between Skidmore College and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. From 2007 to 2010, Route #471 provided summer service to the Saratoga Race Course, before it was discontinued due to low ridership. From 2011 to 2015, the trolley route ran between Broadway, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Spa State Park, the Saratoga Casino and Raceway and the Saratoga Race Course, to include areas previously served by Route #471., trolley service to Skidmore College was discontinued, with year-round service to Skidmore College continued on former Route #473 and new Route #452., trolley service to Saratoga Spa State Park and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center has been discontinued and replaced by a new route that runs between the Courtyard Hotel, Broadway, the Saratoga Race Course and the Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The 2016 changes also included free fare for all riders and service reduction to instead only run from Independence Day weekend to Labor Day. While not marked as such on the vehicles, this service appears as Route #875 on the Saratoga Service map.
In 1982, CDTA began providing paratransit services to riders who are medically unable to take regular transit services. ADA wheelchair-accessible buses were added in 1988; since 2004, all CDTA routes have been wheelchair-accessible. The Star fleet has had a variety of minibuses. Though for most of its history it has been dominated by the Orion II low-floor minibus, STAR has begun replacing older models with Startrans "Senator" cutaway vehicles. Other minibuses in the fleet include Ford "ELF" minibuses and several transfers from suburban shuttle routes (see below).
The NX: Northway Xpress is a group of express routes that links Albany to towns in Saratoga County which is operated under contract by Upstate Transit (which had been contracted to run the service since 2006). These routes run from Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, Malta, Clifton Park, Round Lake, and South Glens Falls to Downtown Albany. In October 2012, Northway Express fares and schedules were redesigned to increase ridership and service efficiency. Fare structure was consolidated from 5 zones to 3 zones, with the addition of an unlimited ride prepayment card. Service was also eliminated from areas with low ridership, including Mechanicville, Stillwater, Albany International Airport, SUNY Albany, Wolf Road and the Harriman State Office Campus. In May 2014, Northway Express service was expanded to Corporate Woods.
Until 2012, CDTA operated rural/lifeline services to several areas in rural Albany and Rensselaer counties, once per week, including routes #810 (Berne/Knox), #812 (Rensselaerville), #870 (Saratoga County Shuttle), and #96 (Rensselaer Rural, with summer Grafton State Park service); as part of CDTA's route restructuring, these routes are being phased out.
In 2020, CDTA began a service called Flex which is an on-demand service where a person is transported by van to their desired location or CDTA bus route. Riders use an app similar to Uber and Lyft to request a ride. Currently the service only operates in parts of Colonie and Guilderland, but the program may be expanded in the future.[74] [75] [76] At first the service was free, but in October 2020, CDTA started requiring riders to pay for Flex ride.[77] In September 2021, the service was expanded to the southern part of Saratoga County, New York, to service Clifton Park, Halfmoon and Mechanicville.[78]
The CDTA has been promoting its own electric scooters. Initially planned for use by the public in the summer of 2021, implementation has been delayed.[79] [80]
In 2005, CDTA commissioned a transit development plan that would create a planned environment to react to needed changes in the CDTA organization.[81]
Parts of this plan included: