Riding a CDTA Bus

CDTA website

Waiting For The Bus

Schedule times can be affected by traffic and weather conditions, so you should plan to arrive at your bus stop about 5 minutes before the scheduled arrival time of your bus.

About Bus Stops

Stand at the bus stop or in the shelter. Do not stand in the roadway or at the edge of the curb. CDTA bus stop signs are white with blue and gold trim. Each bus stop sign contains the number of the bus route that passes by that location. In general, bus stops are spaced about 500 feet apart. In the interest of safety, CDTA bus operators are instructed to pick up and drop off riders only at official bus stop locations. As your bus approaches, raise your hand to signal the bus operator. This will let the bus operator know that you want to board.

Identifying Your Bus

To be sure that you are boarding the right bus, check the route name and number which is displayed on the large sign above the windshield on every CDTA bus. This is called the overhead destination sign. The route number and name on the overhead destination sign should be the same as that shown on the front cover of the bus schedule. The space on the far right-hand side of the destination sign will tell you where the bus is going. A sign over the passenger-side window will tell you the direction that the bus is traveling on that route. If you are not sure that you are getting on the right bus, ask your bus operator for help.

Boarding the Bus

Let departing riders exit before you board. We ask that riders try to exit through the rear door to speed the boarding process. If you think you might have difficulty climbing the bus steps, ask the bus operators to lower the steps for you. All CDTA buses are equipped with a kneeling device which lowers the first step to curb level for your convenience. Some buses are equipped with lifts to accommodate riders who use wheelchairs.

Board the bus carefully. Always use the hand rails for support when you enter or exit. Be careful when walking up or down the steps during bad weather; and be extra careful if you are boarding with young children. The steps can get slippery during rain or snowstorms.

Please have your Rensselaer ID ready. If you need a transfer, ask the bus operator for one when you show your ID. After showing your ID, find a seat quickly and make yourself comfortable. The seats of the front of the bus are reserved for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Please relinquish these seats if they are needed. If all seats are occupied, move to the back of the bus to allow additional riders to board. You will find poles throughout the bus to hold onto if you are standing. Please hold small children securely when the bus is moving. Do not allow small children to walk around the bus unattended.

Paying the Fare

You may have to pay some transfer fares in the city of Albany. CDTA bus operators do not handle money, so they cannot make change. All fares are deposited into the fare box. Please have the exact fare ready when you board. This will speed up the payment process and make the trip faster for everybody.

Putting Money in the Fare Box

All CDTA buses are equipped with electronic fare boxes that automatically count and process fares. The fare box “beeps” after the correct fare has been deposited. The fare boxes accept both coins and dollar bills. The coin slot and dollar bill receivers are clearly marked on the top of the fare box. Dollar bills must be unfolded and inserted flat into the bill receiver. The fare boxes do not make change. If you are not sure how to deposit the fare, ask your bus operator for help.

Transfers

Transfers are used on trips between two points that require using more than one CDTA bus. The transfer enables you to make such a trip without having to pay a second fare. If you need to transfer to another CDTA bus to complete your trip, ask the bus operator for a transfer when you pay your fare. Transfers are free, but are only issued upon boarding the bus and showing the driver your Rensselaer ID.

Transfers cannot be used to return on the same bus route, or on routes that operate in the same general direction. Transfers are valid for the date shown on the front and must be used one hour from the time you leave the first bus. This time will be shown on the top of the transfer. The transfer must be used at designated locations. In most cases, these locations are the first intersecting point of two bus routes. Designated transfer locations are also listed on the back of the transfer.

How To Use a Transfer

When you board the second bus, present the transfer to the bus operator. In most cases, this will allow you to ride the second bus without paying a fare. If the fare on the second bus is more than the fare on the bus where the transfer was issued, you will have to pay the difference. You cannot obtain a second transfer when you use a transfer to pay your fare. If you have questions about the transfer system, time limits, or connecting buses, ask your bus operator for help.

Riding the Bus

You will find CDTA service to be comfortable and reliable. You can help to make riding the bus more pleasant for all riders by following a few simple riding tips:

• New York State Law PROHIBITS SMOKING on-board CDTA buses.
• There is NO EATING or DRINKING on-board CDTA buses, and please do not litter.
• There is NO PLAYING RADIOS, tape players or other audio equipment while on-board CDTA buses. You may listen to these instruments with earphones or head phones provided the volume is turned down.
• ANIMALS are not allowed on-board CDTA buses unless they are in a carrier that can fit on your lap or at your feet in front of you. Seeing eye dogs are allowed on-board to provide assistance to riders with sight impairments.
• DO NOT vandalize or damage Buses or Shelters. Vandalism is a crime and will be punished with a fine or a jail sentence. Please report vandalism to the CDTA immediately if you see it happening.
• GAMBLING IS NOT ALLOWED on any CDTA bus.
• FIREARMS ARE NOT ALLOWED on any CDTA bus.
• The seats at the front of every bus are reserved for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Please relinquish these seats if they are needed.
• If there are no seats available when you board, it is OK to stand. Stand behind the yellow line on the floor at the front of the bus. If possible, move to the rear of the bus to allow other riders to board. For your safety, hold on to the hand rails when standing on-board CDTA buses.
• Baby strollers and grocery carts are allowed on-board, provided they are collapsed and will fit on your lap or at your feet in front of you.
• Please keep your hands and arms inside the windows of the bus at all times.
• Shopping bags and small boxes are OK to bring on-board CDTA buses, provided they are small enough to fit on your lap or at your feet in front of you. Do not put bags or boxes in the aisles where they may block passage for other riders.
• CDTA requires that you wear shoes and a shirt on-board a CDTA bus.
• Emergency-exit instructions are displayed inside all CDTA buses for customer safety. In an emergency or unusual situation, please notify your bus operator immediately.

Getting Off the Bus

When the bus gets near your stop, pull the cord above the window or press the yellow strip between the windows. This will signal the bus operator to stop for you. You only need to pull the cord or press the strip once to notify the bus operator that you wish to get off. The bus operator will stop at the next designated bus stop location.

Please remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop. Once the bus has stopped, exit the bus through the front or rear door, whichever is closest to your seat. Whenever possible, use the rear door to exit. This will allow boarding at the front door to go quickly and smoothly.

Exit carefully, using the handrails for support. Do not rush towards the door; and please watch your step. Use extra caution if you are traveling with young children. Once you are off the bus, move away from the bus and onto the sidewalk. If you are crossing the street, wait until the bus pulls away before crossing the street. Do not walk in front of the bus after getting off. Cross the street carefully and quickly.