reduced fare programs

CDTA offers numerous reduced fare options for riders of all ages. Most of CDTA’s standard route services participate in the reduced fare options.

Half Fare

How to Obtain a Card

The Reduced Fare Swiper

HALF FARE

What Is The Half Fare Program?

The Federal Government, via the National Mass Transportation Act of 1974, requires that a half fare policy be in effect for senior citizens and people with disabilities during our off-peak hours. CDTA has expanded half fare rates to be valid throughout the entire service day.

Who Qualifies for Half Fare?

Citizens age 65 and over, disabled individuals, Medicare card and CDTA half-fare ID cardholders are entitled to ride for half-fare on CDTA’s fixed route service. CDTA half-fare ID cards are issued by certain Departments for the Aging in Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties, the two Authority Sales Offices and the CDTA Division in Troy.

Note: The Fee for the CDTA ID card is $3.00.

Note:The Department for Aging in Albany requires you to be an Albany County resident.

Albany
CDTA Sales Office – 85 Watervliet Avenue, Albany NY 12206 –

Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm

Phone: (518) 437-6875

Albany County Department of Social Services Building – Department of Aging – 162 Washington Avenue, Albany NY 12207

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am to 12pm; 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Phone: (518) 447-7177

Rensselaer
CDTA Troy Division – 40 Hoosick Street, Troy NY 12180 Wednesdays 10am to 1pm (518) 437-6822

Saratoga
Saratoga County Services Building – Office of Aging – 152 West High Street Ballston Spa NY 12020

Hours: Tuesdays 2:00pm-4:00pm

Phone: (518) 884-4100

Schenectady
Schenectady County Office of Long Term Care - 107 Nott Terrace Room 202, Schenectady NY

Hours: Thursdays 9:30am – 12pm

Phone: (518) 382-8481 Ext 1010

How to Obtain a Card If You're Disabled

You must be certified as having a disability in order to receive a half fare card. Certification may be obtained in one of three ways:

By showing proof that you are receiving a disability benefit under:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Veterans Administration (VA) Disability.

Take your award letter to any of the sites mentioned above where ID’s are done

By requesting certification through one of the human service agencies listed below:

Center for Disability Services	Living Resources
NYS Commission for the Blind	Schenectady ARC
ACCESS-VR	Foster Grandparents
NYS Office of People with Developmental Disabilities	Mohawk Opportunities
Rensselaer County office of Mental Health	Department of Veteran Affairs -Veterans’ Industries
CDPC Community Support Program	NABA
Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company	Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital
Catholic Charities Disabilities' Services	Foster Grandparent Program
Unlimited Potential Inc., Saratoga

Agencies will complete the certification process for you. CDTA will send an approval letter with instructions to obtain the half-fare ID Card.

By contacting CDTA’s Mobility Manager (518) 437-8378 for a Medical Determination Form ( or download the form below) which will be filled out by your physician and returned to CDTA. You will be given an approval letter with instructions to obtain the half-fare ID Card.
MEDICAL DETERMINATION FORM

IMPORTANT NOTE:

You do not need a CDTA half fare card if you have a Medicare card. You may use your Medicare card in lieu of a CDTA half fare card on any CDTA fixed route bus. When you get on the bus, show the Medicare card to the bus operator, and using exact change, put half the regular fare into the fare box.

How much does it Cost to Ride?

Seniors and customers with disabilities with a valid ID or Medicare card pay half fare all the time.

Senior citizens (65 years and older) and riders with disabilities (with valid ID) pay:

$0.75 one way
$2.00 Day Pass (buy only on the bus)
Half Fare Monthly Swiper: 5-Day Card: $27.50; 7-Day Card: $32.50;

Monthly Swipers can be purchased at the CDTA Sales Offices

CDTA Sales Office – 85 Watervliet Avenue, Albany NY 12206 –

Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm

Phone: (518) 437-6876

CDTA Sales Office – Saratoga Springs Train Station – 26 Station Lane, Saratoga Springs NY 12866

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm,
Saturday & Sunday 8:00am – 5:00pm

Phone: (518) 437-6877

Website- https://www.cdta.org click on fares & passes

How to Use Your Card

When you get on the bus, show your CDTA half fare ID card or Medicare card to the bus operator, and using exact change, put half the regular fare into the fare box.

Inquiries

If your application for a half fare card is turned down, or if you have questions about the program, please contact:

Maryellen Casey Usis,

CDTA Mobility Manager
110 Watervliet Avenue
Albany, NY 12206

(518) 437-8378

maryellenc@cdta.org

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Swiper

Swiper users receive at least a 10% discount on the cash fare. Swiper users whose employers participate in CDTA's Corporate Swiper program may enjoy even greater savings.

5-Day Card: $55.00
7-Day Card: $65.00
10 Trip Passes $13.00

CDTA offers discounts to companies who order Swiper cards—and now 10 Trip Passes—in bulk. The discounts are on top of retail discounts and are applied to the total order.

The new discount structure is 2.5% on orders of 5 to 24 cards; 5% on orders of 25 to 49; 7.5% on orders of 50 to 99; and 10% on orders of 100 to 250.

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Summer Fun Pass

$30.00

(Valid July 1 - August 31)
Children up to 17 years eligible.

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STAR TRIP TICKETS

Trip tickets make riding STAR easy and convenient. Best of all, the ticket books are sold at a discount ($30 each). The $2.50 book contains 13 tickets. They can be purchased at CDTA (110 Watervliet Ave., Albany), selected sales outlets (listed below), and through the mail with the enclosed order form.

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STAR Ticket Books

13 STAR tickets: $30.00

To order STAR Ticket Books, click here.

STAR Ticket Books Can Be Purchased At The Following Location

CDTA • 110 Watervliet Avenue, Albany

PRICE CHOPPER SUPERMARKETS

1860 Central Avenue, Colonie
Loehmann's Plaza, Guilderland
Colvin Avenue, Albany
Altamont Avenue, Rotterdam
Second & 123rd St., North Troy
Hudson Valley Plaza, Troy

HANNAFORD SUPERMARKETS

Central Avenue, Albany
Wolf Road, Colonie
Route 9, Latham Farms
126th Street, North Troy
Routes 9 & 20, East Greenbush
Pawling Avenue, Wynantskill

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Children

Children (6 years of age and under) ride free when accompanied by a fare paying adult. Each fare paying adult may bring up to 3 children with them at no additional cost. The policy will be enforced at the fare box using a measure of 46 inches (average height of a 6 year old child).

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