New York’s CDTA expands FLEX+ On-demand transit service in downtown Albany
New Schedule catalyzes downtown tourism with 19 unique stops to deliver point-to-point on-demand and pre-booked rides during summer months
July 1, 2024 – New York, New York, USA: The Routing Company (“TRC”), a global on-demand vehicle routing and management platform partnering with cities to power the future of public transit, today celebrated the expansion of Capital District Transportation Authority’s (“CDTA”) FLEX+ on-demand transit service. FLEX+, launched in January 2024, is expanding through the summer months with additional stops throughout downtown Albany.
CDTA operates a multimodal transit network in the Capital District of New York State with more than 16 million trips taken last year.
The original FLEX+ service delivered convenient connections between downtown Albany and the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station (formerly the Rensselaer Rail Station) – one of the busiest Amtrak stations in America. The expanded service includes 19 unique stops in the downtown Albany area, accommodating the city’s bustling tourist season. It will take customers to several different designated stops including hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and more. CDTA is working with Discover Albany and the Downtown Improvement District to support tourist mobility needs.
CDTA used New York State Innovative Mobility Initiative (“IMI”) funding to support the initial deployment. IMI funding provides non-MTA transit authorities with $10 million in funds to expand service, namely to create new transit alternatives to support riders facing barriers to traditional transit – including the creation and expansion of microtransit and paratransit service.
"We are thrilled to support CDTA in its expansion of FLEX+ service to FLEX+ On-Demand transit service this summer. The beauty of flexible transit is that it works for everyone – no matter your trip purpose or destination – and it will make getting around Albany much easier for visitors,” said James Cox, Chief Executive Officer, TRC. “Responding to the needs of all riders will bolster mobility in Albany, and support economic development in the region.”
TRC powers FLEX+ service with its suite of Pingo products – including on-demand transit service and features such as Transit Connect™. Transit Connect™ guarantees connections for riders to fixed route networks using real-time data. The feature was developed by TRC as a solution to improve the rider experience and guarantee a connection to onward transit modes.
TRC’s award-winning Pingo platform includes the Drive Pingo™ and Ride Pingo™ apps and the Pingo Dashboard™ operations management tool, which together provide on-demand, paratransit, fixed, shuttle, and flexible transit that enhances ridership of existing transit networks.
Pingo has moved over one million passengers to date. To learn more, visit theroutingcompany.com, or to request a demo email move@theroutingcompany.com.
About TRC
Founded by MIT researchers and rideshare industry veterans, TRC is a global on-demand vehicle routing and management platform that partners with cities to power the future of public transit. Leveraging proprietary and unrivalled artificial intelligence, TRC delivers routing from multiple points of demand to one vehicle while enabling greater transit equity, accessibility, cost efficiency, and sustainability. Its leading product, the Pingo™ app, offers on-demand or advance trip requests and can operate in on-demand, flex, fixed, or paratransit mode.
With a team spanning eight countries, TRC directly supports international operations and customer growth through hubs in Canada, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Learn more at theroutingcompany.com.
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Lindy Norris
Vice President, Marketing & Policy
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James Cox
Chief Executive Officer
