NY: CDTA Board Approves Capital Projects to Improve Connectivity and Attract New Riders

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Board of Directors approved a couple of resolutions at yesterday’s meeting that will improve the customer experience and connectivity within the Capital Region designed to attract new customers.

InMotion Technology Inc. was awarded a contract for the purchase of mobile routers that will provide faster and more reliable Wi-Fi access for Northway Xpress customers. CDTA currently offers complimentary Wi-Fi service on BusPlus and the NX will begin use of upgraded system in the near future. The Wi-Fi hardware will cost $40,656 and is budgeted in the FY 13 Capital Plan.

The board of directors awarded Delsignore Blacktop Paving Inc. of Troy, N.Y., the contract to expand the Saratoga Springs Train Station parking lot. The finished project will result in double the size of available parking at the Saratoga Springs Train Station from 85 to 170 spaces. Parking demand has increased due to the addition of scenic rail special event trains at the station. A special event parking fee of $5.00 per vehicle was instituted last year. The project is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2013. The cost of the project is estimated to be under $200,000 and is included in the FY 14 Capital Plan.

For the 31st consecutive month, CDTA is continuing to see an uptick in ridership. Total ridership for May was 1.37 million, up 6 percent from May 2012. The increases continue across the route network, most notably on BusPlus and trunk routes.

Ridership continues to grow from CDTA universal access partnerships that offer unlimited rides to students and employees through a contractual relationship with colleges or businesses. For the first two months of the fiscal year, boardings associated with universal access agreements are up almost 30 percent (almost 140,000 boardings.) This innovative business model expands CDTA’s position as a regional economic development engine, connecting people and the community to jobs.

The CDTA Board of Directors meets on the final Wednesday of every month at the Rensselaer Rail Station.