CDTA budget includes fleet replacement, BRT expansion

The Albany, N.Y.-based Capital District Transportation Authority’s (CDTA) adopted the fiscal year 2015 Budget and Capital Plan at its monthly meeting on Wednesday.

The $78.4 million dollar spending plan is balanced and features slight increases to accommodate growing service needs and operational expenses. CDTA is on pace to finish the current fiscal year with near record ridership of more than 16 million customers, according to agency officials.

The plan supports service enhancements on CDTA’s busiest routes, development of transit centers across the region and the introduction of new fare payment technology.

At a glance, personnel costs, purchased transportation and fuel make up a majority of the budget while the remainder includes materials and supplies, maintenance services, transportation costs and utilities.

CDTA’s approved $20.3 million dollar Capital Plan continues the authority’s strategic fleet replacement program, which will include the purchase of two articulated buses to address consistent demand along its busiest routes.

Funding has also been earmarked to further CDTA’s 40-mile BRT route network, with more than $7 million in engineering and construction for the Washington-Western and River Corridor lines.

To view the complete Budget and Capital Plan, click here.