Albany Route Restructuring Has Arrived

Route #6 (Second/Whitehall) – This route will be split into two separate routes (#6 & #116). Route #6 will operate on South Pearl Street, Second Avenue, and Whitehall Road every 20 minutes during the day, evening service will be extended until 1:00am, and Sunday service will be added. (Please see new Neighborhood Route #116).

Route #7 (Glenmont) – The frequency will be increased to every 25 minutes, service will be increased on Sundays and additional early morning and late night trips will be provided. This will increase the level of service between Albany and the Glenmont shopping centers.

Route #12 (Washington Avenue) – This route serves CDTA’s three largest destinations (Crossgates Mall, the University at Albany and Downtown Albany). Service will now operate every 15 minutes during peak and mid-day hours. The route will now also serve the Wal-Mart at Crossgates Commons while trips into the Harriman State Campus will be eliminated. (Please see new Commuter Route #712 for Harriman Trips).

Route #18 (Delaware Avenue) – New Sunday service will be added, mid-day frequency will increase to every 30 minutes, service to the Slingerlands Price Chopper will be provided, while weekday and Saturday night service will be extended until 11:00pm.

NEW NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE

Route #100 (Mid-City Belt) – This new route will provide service on Morton Avenue, Holland Avenue, Quail Street, Livingston Avenue, and Pearl Street. It will offer direct connections between the South End, Arbor Hill and Albany Medical Center as well as the Stratton VA Medical Center. The route will provide better access to BusPlus and other major transit corridors. Route #100 replaces portions of Route #3, #8, and #9.

Route #114 (Madison/Washington) – This new route will provide direct connections between Madison Avenue neighborhoods (via Washington Avenue) to Crossgates Mall, the University at Albany, the College of St. Rose and CDTA’s Rensselaer Rail Station. Route #114 replaces portions of Route #3 and #4.

Route #116 (Albany Memorial/Menands) – This new route will provide service from Riverview Center to 700 South Pearl Street and serve North Albany locations including Memorial Hospital, Downtown Albany and Menands (via Wards Lane, Van Rensselaer Boulevard, Broadway, South Pearl Street, Green Street and Mount Hope). Route #116 replaces portion of Route #6 between Downtown Albany and Riverview Center while replacing Route #8 between Downtown Albany and 700 South Pearl Street.

Route #125 (Clinton/Sand Creek) – This new route will provide direct connections between Clinton Avenue and Colonie Center/Wolf Road (via Sand Creek Road) while improving access to BusPlus and Route 5 destinations. Route #125 replaces portions of Route #2 & #3.

Route #138 (Livingston/Allen) – This new route will provide cross-town service on Allen Street and Livingston Avenue, offering direct connections between St. Peter’s Hospital, Livingston Avenue and Lark Drive. The route will improve access to BusPlus and other major transit corridors. Route #138 replaces portions of Route #2, #8 & #30.

NEW COMMUTER ROUTES

Route #712 (Patroon Creek/Harriman) – This new route will provide direct connections, during peak time periods, from Downtown Albany to the Harriman Campus and Patroon Creek Boulevard from Downtown Albany (via Central and Colvin Avenues) with final destinations of Crossgates Mall and Wal-Mart at Crossgates Commons. Route #712 replaces Route #12 trips that previously served the Harriman Campus.

Route #734 (Hackett/Buckingham Pond) – This new route will operate primarily during peak time periods between Downtown Albany, Hackett Boulevard, the Buckingham Pond neighborhood, Stonehenge Gardens and Ohav Shalom apartment complexes. Route #734 replaces portions of Route #4 and #30.

Route #737 (Airport/Corporate Woods) – This new route will operate primarily during peak time periods between Downtown Albany, Corporate Woods, Palisades Drive, Albany International Airport & British American Boulevard with an additional 8:15pm trip from Corporate Woods (via Northern Boulevard, Shaker and Everett Roads). Route #737 replaces portions of Route #27 & #31.

ROUTE REDUCTIONS & CONSOLIDATIONS

Route #13 (New Scotland Avenue) – The frequency on this route will be reduced to 15 minutes during peak periods. Route #13 will maintain routing on Holland and Delaware Avenues. Albany Medical Center and St. Peter’s Hospital will have increased service on Routes #100 & #138.

Route #610 (Wolf Road) – The route will operate every 25 minutes in peak periods, every 35 minutes during mid-day periods, and 45 minutes on the weekend. The route will terminate at Albany International Airport and Albany Nursing Home on weekends, and after 7:00pm on weekdays. New Commuter Route #737 will provide regular route service to Albany International Airport and British American Boulevard.

Routes #611 & #612 (20 Mall & Route 5) – These flexible service routes will have a peak frequency of every 60 minutes with a combined frequency of 30 minutes between the two routes. Route #611 will operate from 6:30am – 8:15pm on weekdays, while Route #612 will operate 6:00am to 11:30pm on weekdays and Saturdays. These routes will no longer service Crossgates Commons. Route #12 and #712 will now serve Crossgates Commons.

SERVICE ELIMINATIONS

Exchange Street in West Albany was previously served by Route #2 and many of the stops will be within walking distance of Route #125 & #737.

Kenwood and Elsmere Avenues in Delmar were previously served by Route #18 and many of the stops are within walking distance of an improved Route #18 that remains on Cherry and Delaware Avenues.

Frequently Asked Questions

CDTA’s Albany Route Restructuring

Fall 2011

Why is CDTA changing Albany County bus routes?

CDTA is changing more than a dozen Albany County bus routes to better connect customers with jobs, health services and major destinations. We are putting public transportation where people want and need it most. The plan is based on extensive input from riders, residents and stakeholders through community meetings, surveys and on-street interviews. The final plan reflects route and service adjustments made by CDTA as a direct result of public input from the proposed plan released in July 2011.

When are the routes changing?

The Albany County Route Restructuring has two phases. Nearly 80% of the service changes will happen in Phase One, beginning November 13, 2011, affecting routes in the city of Albany and surrounding suburbs of Bethlehem, Guilderland, Menands, and southern Colonie. Phase Two, planned for 2012, will restructure areas including Altamont, Cohoes, Green Island, Latham, Voorheesville and Watervliet.

How do these changes make using CDTA easier?

Fewer trunk route deviations and easily-identifiable route names make our route network simpler to understand and use. New trunk and neighborhood service provides direct access to more landmark destinations, better connections and shorter wait times for customers.

What is changing?

CDTA has improved trunk routes and created new neighborhood and commuter routes to provide more connections and access within Albany County. More than a dozen routes will change, primarily in Albany County. Express services and routes operating in adjacent counties will not be affected.

· Improved Trunk Routes –CDTA trunk routes operate seven (7) days a week, from early morning until late night. Customers using Routes #6, #7, #12, and #18 will see increased frequency, later night service, new Sunday service and consistent trip patterns (no deviations)

· New Neighborhood Network –Neighborhood routes will improve service to destinations outside of downtown Albany by:

o Establishing additional cross-town service

o Increasing level of service on streets with high ridership

o Providing new service to areas with high demand

· Improved Commuter Routes—Provide more direct, peak period connections throughout Albany County

Trunk Route Improvements

Trunk routes operate 7 days a week from early morning to late night with frequent service during peak commute times

Service Improvements beginning Nov. 13, 2011	Service Description
Route #6 *(Second/Whitehall)* Split into two routes: #6 and #116	· Operates on South Pearl Street, Second Avenue and Whitehall Road · Will now run every 20 minutes · Evening service extended until 1:00 a.m. · Sunday service added
Route #7 *(Glenmont)*	· Increased service to Glenmont shopping centers · Will now run every 25 minutes · Increased Sunday service · Additional early morning/late night trips
Route #12 *(Washington Ave.)* Also see new Commuter Route #712 for service to Harriman State Office Campus & Patroon Creek	· Serves CDTA’s three largest destinations (Crossgates Mall, the University at Albany and Downtown Albany) · Now Serves Super Wal-Mart / Crossgates Commons · Will run every 15 minutes until 8pm and every 30 minutes until service stops at 12:30 a.m.
Route #18 *(Delaware Avenue)*	· Serves Slingerlands Price Chopper · Will now run every 30 minutes in mid-day · Weekday and Saturday night service until 11:30 p.m. · Sunday service will be added

New Neighborhood Routes

Neighborhood routes operate weekdays and Saturday until 9pm or later.

Routes run every 30 minutes in peak periods (Monday - Friday, 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.) and every 60 minutes in mid-day (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) and Saturdays.

New Neighborhood Routes beginning Nov. 13, 2011	Service Description
Route #100 *(Mid-City Belt)* Replaces portions of Route #3, #8, and #9	· Service to Morton Avenue, Quail Street, Livingston Avenue, and Pearl Street · Direct connections between the South End, Arbor Hill, Albany Medical Center and Stratton VA Medical Center
Route #114 (Madison/Washington) Replaces portions of Route #3 and #4	· Direct connections between Madison Avenue neighborhoods, Crossgates Mall, the UAlbany, College of St. Rose and CDTA’s Rensselaer Rail Station
Route #116 *(Albany/Menands)* Replaces portions of Route #6 between Downtown Albany and Riverview Center Replaces Route #8 between Downtown Albany and 700 South Pearl Street.	· Service from Riverview Center to 700 South Pearl Street · Will serve North Albany locations,Memorial Hospital, Downtown Albany and Menands · Route will extend from downtown Albany to major South End housing complexes.
Route #125 *(Clinton/Sand Creek)* Replaces portions of Route #2 & #3	· Direct connections between Clinton Avenue and Colonie Center/Wolf Road (via Sand Creek Road) · Improves access to BusPlus and Route 5 destinations
Route #138 *(Livingston/Allen)* Replaces portions of Route #2, #8 & #30	· Cross-town service on Allen Street and Livingston Avenue, offering direct connections between St. Peter’s Hospital, Livingston Avenue and Lark Drive

New Commuter Routes

Commuter routes operate during peak commuting hours (Monday -Friday, 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.)

New Commuter Routes beginning Nov. 13, 2011	Service Description
Route #712 *(Patroon Creek/Harriman Campus)* Replaces Route #10 & #12 trips that served the Harriman Campus	· Direct, peak period connections from Downtown Albany to the Harriman Campus · New service to Patroon Creek Boulevard from Downtown Albany (via Central Avenue and Colvin Avenue) to Crossgates Mall and Wal-Mart at Crossgates Commons.
Route #734 (Hackett/Buckingham Pond) Replaces portions of Route #4, & #30	· Operates during peak commute hours between downtown Albany, Hackett Boulevard, Buckingham Pond neighborhood, Stonehenge Gardens and Ohav Shalom apartment complexes
Route #737 *(Shaker Road/Airport)* Replaces portions of Route #27 & #31	· Operates during peak commute hours between Downtown Albany, Corporate Woods, Palisades Drive, Albany Int’l Airport and British American Boulevard · Additional 8:15 p.m. trip from Corporate Woods (via Northern Boulevard, Shaker and Everett Roads), added per public request

Discontinued Routes

Routes no longer operating as of Nov. 13, 2011	New Routes/Options
Route #2 *(West Albany)*	Portions of Routes #125, #737, and #138 No service on Exchange Street
Route #3 *(Quail Street Belt)*	Portions of Routes #100, #114, and #125
Route #4 *(Pine Hills)*	Portions of Routes #114 & #734
Route #8 *(Arbor Hill)*	Portions of Routes #6, #7, #100, #116 & #138
Route #9 *(Whitehall Road)*	Portions of Route #6, #10 & #100
Route #27 *(Corporate Woods)*	Route #737
Route #30 *(Belt via Hackett)*	Portions of Routes #6, #138 & #734
Route #31 *(Shaker Road)*	Portions of Route #737

Route Reductions and Consolidations

Route #	Service Description – beginning Nov. 13, 2011
Route #13 *(New Scotland Avenue)*	· Will now run every 15 minutes during peak periods. · Maintains routing on Holland and Delaware Avenues, bypassing construction, per public request · Maintains service to Hackett Middle School, per public request · Route #100 and #138 serve Albany Medical Center and St. Peter’s Hospital
Route #18 *(Delaware Avenue)*	· Will no longer travel on Kenwood and Elsmere Avenues; many stops within walking distance of stops on Cherry and Delaware Avenues.
Route #610 *(Wolf Road)*	· Operates every 25 minutes in peak periods, every 35 minutes during mid-day periods, and 45 minutes on the weekend · Route terminates at Albany International Airport and Albany Nursing Home on weekends, and after 7:00 p.m. on weekdays · New commuter route #737 provides regular service to Albany International Airport and British American Boulevard.
Route #611 & #612 *(20 Mall & Route 5)* Flex Service	· No longer serves Crossgates Commons – *use Routes #12, #114 and #712 for Crossgates Commons* · Peak frequency of every 60 minutes, with a combined frequency of 30 minutes between the two routes · Route #611 has service extended to 8:30 p.m., per public request

Will all the routes in Albany County be affected?

No. Trunk routes #1, #11, and #22 will see no service change. Express routes and routes traveling primarily in other counties will not be affected.

Will the cost to ride CDTA services change?

No. CDTA’s base fare will continue to be $1.50. Customers who use SWIPER cards or other pre-paid bus passes will continue to see discounted pricing for all CDTA services except STAR and Northway Express, which have their own fare structures.

Does this change my STAR paratransit options?

As fixed routes change, there may be some changes to CDTA’s STAR service, which offers transportation alternatives to people with a disability or impairment who cannot use, or have substantial difficulty using, our fixed-route bus system. STAR customers must reside or schedule to be picked up at locations that are within a 3/4 mile of current CDTA fixed route service, and are also affected by the hours their qualifying route operates.

What determines whether a new route will continue to provide service?

CDTA regular route services are tracked based on the two primary criteria of total riders and riders per revenue hour. The easiest way to evaluate transit service is to look at ridership and CDTA’s route classification system establishes thresholds by route category. Routes that fall below acceptable thresholds will be analyzed along for route and schedule adjustments to increase ridership. CDTA takes steps prior to any potential reductions or eliminations because it is possible that a route may perform well in one criterion but not another.

Trunk routes should carry 250,000 riders each year (25 riders/hour)

Neighborhood routes should carry 100,000 riders each year (15 riders/hour)

Shuttle service should carry 75,000 riders each year (10 riders/hour)

How do I get information?

· Call us at 482-8822

· Schedule a travel training session with a CDTA travel Trainer

Albany Route Restructuring Has Arrived

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