New CDTA van goes from Amtrak station in Rensselaer to downtown Albany
The service, Flex+, offers an app-based, on-demand service.
ALBANY — The Capital District Transportation Authority has started an on-demand ride service from the Rensselaer Amtrak train station to various points in downtown Albany across the Hudson River.
“We’re excited to add this on-demand service to our menu of mobility options,” said CDTA CEO Carm Basile. “The Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station is one of the busiest in the nation, and now customers will have an efficient option to get to downtown Albany. Many train riders are headed to the state Capitol to conduct business or to visit the many locations in and around the city of Albany. This direct and technology-driven service will be perfect for this market. We look forward to piloting the program,” Basile added.
Those looking to book Flex + can download The Routing Company’s “Ride Pingo” app from the Apple App or Google Play Stores.
After creating an account, customers can pre-book and pay for their scheduled ride.
Customers can also pay using CDTA’s Navigator app, or cash.
The service will cost $3 per trip. It will run Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
FLEX+ will pick up and drop off riders at the train station in Rensselaer, Empire State Plaza, the State Museum, the Alfred E. Smith Building, the state Capitol, the Hilton Hotel on State Street, Renaissance Albany Hotel, Albany Capital Center, Albany City Hall, the Palace Theatre, the Leo O’Brien Federal Building, and MVP Arena.
As of Monday afternoon, several riders had already made advanced reservations and others got on a Flex+ van directly from the train station, said CDTA spokeswoman Emily De Vito.
For more information, contact CDTA’s Customer Service Center at 518-482-8822. Customer service representatives are on duty 6 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays and holidays. More information is also available at https://www.cdta.org/
In addition to the new Flex+, CDTA at the start of January completed its merger with the Greater Glens Falls Transit service.
The approximately 10 buses there have been rebranded as CTDA vehicles and have been painted. The same bus routes in that Warren County community are remaining in place, although they may have different numbers.
