Pay Less To Ride CDTA

PRICE CHOPPER AND CDTA LAUNCH iride ADVANTEDGE PROGRAM OFFERING SHOPPERS AND RIDERS BUS PASS DISCOUNTS

(ALBANY) – Price Chopper and The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) have partnered to introduce an innovative extension to the supermarket chain’s Fuel AdvantEdge program which will offer CDTA riders an opportunity to pay less to ride CDTA by using their Price Chopper AdvantEdge card.

The CDTA iride AdvantEdge program offers a new twist on Price Chopper’s popular Fuel AdvantEdge program – the opportunity to redeem Fuel AdvantEdge points not just for fuel, but for discounts on bus pass purchases. It will pilot for three months, starting today and run through May, with the option to continue contingent upon its success.

Less than a year after the June 2009 Capital Region launch of Fuel AdvantEdge, more than 10,000 Price Chopper Shoppers a week are redeeming their accumulated fuel points at the pump right here in the Capital Region. The new CDTA iride AdvantEdge Program will give transit riders comparable savings opportunities on bus passes.

ldquo;This new program promises to be a dynamic addition to Price Chopper’s arsenal of Fuel AdvantEdge savings. It gives us the opportunity to help our customers save money not only on groceries and fuel, but on mass transit passes through CDTA as well,” said Price Chopper President and CEO Neil Golub. “We relish the opportunity to collaborate with a progressive local business that is dedicated as we are to reducing carbon emissions,” he added.

ldquo;CDTA is pleased to work with Price Chopper to offer our customers value added transit benefits just by conducting the business of everyday living; shopping and riding,” said CDTA Chairman David Stackrow. “The availability of CDTA fare products at Price Chopper locations throughout Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties supports a comprehensive strategy to make public transit in the Capital Region more accessible, convenient, and reliable.”

As with the Fuel AdvantEdge program, CDTA iride AdvantEdge is an ongoing, cumulative savings/reward program. And where Fuel AdvantEdge rewards consumers with a 10¢ per gallon savings on up to a 20 gallon fill-up for every $50 spent in groceries, the iride AdvantEdge program converts that 10¢/gallon discount on up to 20 gallons to a $2.00 cash savings off the purchase of a bus pass. (20¢/gallon on up to 20 gallons based on $100 spent in groceries converts to a $4 cash savings off the purchase of a bus pass, 30¢/gallon on up to 20 gallons based on $150 spent on groceries coverts to $6 cash savings, etc.). Consumers can accumulate their points/dollars spent across a 90-day timeframe and cash in on their discount at their convenience, turning saved dimes into dollars.

Customers may immediately apply their AdvantEdge card discount rewards toward the purchase of a CDTA bus pass. Price Chopper Associates will process pass discounts at the customer service desks. Bus passes eligible for the program include: 31 Day Rolling Swiper pass (which is only available at Price Chopper and CDTA offices), 10 Trip Pass and the STAR ticket coupon books.

The 12 stores selected as redemption sites for the pilot program are located at CDTA’s highest volume bus stop locations. Participating stores and the CDTA bus routes which service those stores are on the attached list.

CDTA Travel Trainers will be stationed at participating Price Chopper stores, on buses and at major bus stop locations during the first week of rollout to assist customers and answer any questions they may have. Those who register for the AdvantEdge card and complete a simple survey will get a chance to win a free CDTA 31 Day Rolling Swiper pass.* (*One 31 Day rolling pass will be given away in each participating store

The Price Chopper AdvantEdge card, which is available at any of the chain’s Guest Service desks, is free and entitles its holder to savings on groceries, fuel, bus passes, and admission to various community events. To learn more about the CDTA AdvantEdge program, visit www.pricechopper.com/bus or www.cdta.org or pick up at program brochure at Price Chopper stores, in CDTA schedule racks, and on buses.

For more information regarding CDTA service or fare products, call 482-8822 or visit www.cdta.org. CDTA Information Operators are on duty 6am-7pm weekdays and 8am-6pm weekends and holidays.

Important Links

irideAdvantage Program Details

DOWNLOADABLE Files

Pay Less To Ride CDTA Brochure

For more information, contact:

Margo Janack
437-6842
margoj@cdta.org