Schumer announces $61 million for CDTA to expand rapid transit system
CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. » After securing $51,653,331 for the Albany-Schenectady UZA in the American Rescue Plan to address the region’s public transportation needs as New York recovers from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recently announced a historic $61 million for the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) to expand its Albany Washington/Western Bus Rapid Transit project.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Capital Investments Grant (CIG) Program, which funds local efforts to expand Bus Rapid Transit routes across the nation.
The Washington/Western Bus Rapid Transit line will be the third rapid transit line operated by the CDTA. Schumer helped to secure federal funding for both the Central Avenue Corridor line that connects Albany to Schenectady and the River line that connects Albany to Troy and Cohoes in previous years.
“Coming after a year and a half of hardship and isolation during the COVID pandemic, the $61 million announced today represents hope for a more connected and resilient future,” Schumer said.
“The CDTA keeps our community united, the wheels of the regional economy rolling, and serves as a vital lifeline for many Capital Region residents. I’m proud to deliver this historic investment into the CDTA, which will keep our transit moving and pave the way for expanded service,” Schumer added.
CIG funds transit capital investments, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), specifically through the “Small Starts” program. The Albany Washington/Western Bus Rapid Transit project would implement bus rapid transit in the Washington/Western corridor that extends from the downtown Albany Bus Terminal, through the State University of New York at Albany and the Harriman State Office Complex, to the Crossgates Mall. The project includes limited stops, 16 uniquely branded buses, transit signal priority, queue bypass lanes, real-time bus arrival information, a one-mile semi-exclusive busway across the University campus, and bus maintenance garage expansion.
Schumer is also currently working to secure implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework into law, which would provide approximately $113.9 million for the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) over the next 5 years. CDTA estimates that their annual allotment over the previous five years has been $21.2 million and under the bipartisan infrastructure bill that would increase to $27.1 million, roughly a 30% increase.
Additionally, the bill includes over $5.6 billion for clean buses. CDTA currently has four electric buses in service, with four more on order, and an ultimate goal of 25% of their fleet.