Albany, N.Y.’s Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) announced that for Fiscal Year 2025, which ran from April 2024 to March 2025, there were more than 18.4 million boardings throughout the CDTA system.

The boardings were 12% more than last year and CDTA’s highest ridership total in its 54-year history. 

“CDTA is proud of this accomplishment and is proud to provide mobility solutions to its customers in the Capital Region," said Michael P. Collins, Interim CDTA CEO. "We provide innovative services and have grown our customer base by continuing to cultivate new partnerships with local businesses and community organizations. It’s encouraging to see ridership increase across all our mobility options. CDTA is committed to providing safe, reliable service, and will continue to work on improving and adjusting service as needed.”

CDTA’s Ridership Boost

Across the service spectrum, all mobility options have seen an increase in ridership levels compared to the same time last year. 

Ridership on STAR, which serves people with disabilities, is up 4%; FLEX On Demand ridership is 11% higher; and Northway Express and Thruway Express ridership are up 8% and 2%, respectively, than this time last year. 

The agency said the record ridership is fueled by many factors, including CDTA being the only upstate transit authority to operate three BRT lines, and CDTA continues to grow its popular Universal Access program, which now includes more than 60 businesses, colleges, and universities.