CDTA Finishes Year with Ridership Gains and Mobility Options

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ALBANY, NY (December 31, 2024) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) finished 2024 with ridership increases across all mobility options and continues to expand services to drive economic development across the Capital Region. Below is a look at the top 10 stories from CDTA in 2024.

·???????? RIDERSHIP INCREASE – Fueled by a well-designed route network, BRT service, and Universal Access Partners, ridership is exceeding pre-pandemic levels.?Through December 2024, there have been close to 14 million boardings throughout the CDTA system. The growth is across all routes and services. CDTA expects to finish the fiscal year in March with more than 18 million boardings. That will be one of CDTA’s highest annual ridership counts. According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), CDTA had the third largest increase in ridership this year among mid-size systems.

·???????? EXPANDED FOOTPRINT – CDTA welcomed Warren County into its service area on January 1, 2024. Greater Glens Falls Transit (GGFT) merged into the CDTA transportation network. The merger allows customers in Warren County increased accessibility to transportation and mobility options throughout the Capital Region.

·???????? GROWING PARTNERSHIPS – CDTA continues to grow its partner base with more than 60 Universal Access agreements. Market 32/Price Chopper, Ellis Medicine, Downtown Troy BID and others joined the Universal Access program in 2024. The program?gives employees and students an easy way to travel for work and pleasure, fueling ridership and connecting the economy. Universal Access reduces travel expenses, stressful commutes, and parking costs.

·???????? EXPANDING MOBILITY HUBS – CDTA opened two mobility hubs, the Liberty Square Mobility Hub at 4th and Liberty Street in Troy, and the Manning Boulevard Mobility Hub at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. The first?mobility hub opened in downtown Schenectady in December 2023. Mobility hubs enhance connectivity by integrating various modes of transportation, providing improved travel links, comfortable waiting areas, and safe pedestrian access.

·???????? CDPHP CYCLE! RIDERSHIP RECORD – CDPHP Cycle! finished the riding season with 82,898 rides, a new record for the Cycle! program since it began in 2017. More than 600 bikes, including 200 electric bikes, were available to rent. Ten new stations were added, and customers used new technology that made renting bikes quicker and easier.

·???????? SCOOT PILOT PROGRAM –?Electric scooters were piloted this fall. The program, called SCOOT, was available to the community throughout the month of October in Albany, Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs. The SCOOT pilot program tested technology and provided CDTA with operating experience, looking toward the potential for this mobility option to be available full time in the future.?

·???????? IMPLEMENTING PROGRESSIVE TECHNOLOGY – The installation of a mirrorless driver assistance system made CDTA the first system in New York State to remove side mirrors from vehicles and use a video mirror system.?The camera monitor system reduces glare, and lateral blind spots, and the high-resolution camera provides a wider and clearer view than traditional mirrors, especially during inclement weather, creating a safer work environment for Operators.

·???????? CDTA IN THE COMMUNITY – CDTA gave back to more than 100 groups and organizations throughout the year. CDTA again supported the American Cancer Society’s Men Wear Pink campaign with iconic pink buses and the annual pink bus pull. CDTA’s Fall Festival returned with 400 school children traveling to CDTA to learn about the organization. Students from local schools performed holiday music at the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station, and CDTA partnered with Questar III BOCES to create a large gingerbread house for holiday travelers to enjoy.

·???????? DRIVING YOUR CAREER – CDTA continues to recruit and host career fairs at locations for people who aspire to?join the CDTA team of 750 employees. Applicants can test drive vehicles, tour facilities, and take part in on-the-spot interview sessions.

·???????? LEAVING A LEGACY – Carm Basile announced his plans for retirement, after a 43-year career with the company. Under Basile’s leadership, CDTA introduced three Bus Rapid Transit lines, the only system in upstate New York to operate Bus Rapid Transit. Basile also developed CDTA’s successful Universal Access program.