From online trip planning capabilities, Twitter and RSS feeds that offer up-to-the-minute service alerts, and a new iPhone application and text messaging options that deliver important information directly to mobile phones and PDAs, the Albany, N.Y.-based Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) launched a newly redesigned Website that will further enhance service through improved communications with its 14 million annual riders.

Customers are able to access the new features at www.cdta.org, which has been updated to provide its 47,000 daily customers with immediate access to the latest information through the integration of new technologies and social networking features. The new format provides improved functionality and interactive features, allowing users to quickly access vital transit information.

To build a better Website, CDTA surveyed its users to find out how they use the site, the features and information that are most important to them, and to assess their ability and desire to use online and mobile applications.

To encourage riders to utilize the Website and download the newest tools, CDTA will hold a random drawing of ten 31-day rolling passes to everyone who gives feedback about the new site during the first week of its launch.