Siena College and the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) announced a new universal access transportation partnership to provide CDTA service for Siena College students.
To ensure safe, cost-effective transportation for all students, college administrators and the Student Senate worked with CDTA on expanding service times and route locations along the Route 9 corridor. Similar to CDTA’s other Universal Access agreements; all students have access to the bus service with Siena College paying student fares.
“Providing our students with free access to public transportation will allow them to safely travel throughout the Capital Region, taking advantage of the area’s countless opportunities for learning, enrichment and entertainment,” said Siena College President Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M, Ph.D. “I am glad that we have been able to work with a wonderful community partner in CDTA whose willingness to expand pickup times and bus routes will enhance our students’ collegiate experience.”
Students will be able to travel anywhere CDTA bus transportation is provided simply by swiping their student identification cards.
“We’re pleased to partner with Siena College on a successful transportation program that offers thousands of students’ unlimited access to CDTA services connecting them to and from the school, as well as throughout the Capital Region,” said CEO Carm Basile. “Students are strong users of our system, constituting more than 15% of our ridership with many making it their preferred way to travel.”
CDTA has similar universal access partnerships with other Capital Region colleges and universities. The programs are customized with the institution normally paying a flat fee based on ridership.
This fall, as part of its Albany County Phase Two Route Restructuring Plan, CDTA will bring improvements to Route 9 that will benefit the Siena community. Route #129 is slated to provide Saturday service in addition to longer weekday service with direct connections to Latham Farms and Albany Memorial Hospital as well as connections to three other routes connecting to the Capital Region.
“As the Student Senate, we strive to accommodate the students and do whatever is necessary to ensure that they have the best experience possible. Siena's new partnership with CDTA is an example of a Student Senate led initiative that seeks to accomplish just that and to advance the true mission of Siena which is to build a more inclusive community,” said Student Senate President Cassandra Jane Werking ’13. “It will help all students, especially first-year students who are not allowed to have cars on campus, those who are struggling to find transportation to internships and jobs and commuters who are hoping to save money on gas.”
CDTA service will now be available at Siena College Monday- Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information regarding CDTA routes and service to Siena College, visit www.cdta.org
