Schumer: Advanced Vehicle Communications System for CDTA Would Continue Region's Transit Transformation & Improve Service, Efficiency, and Safety

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to secure an $18.4 million federal grant that would transform the Capital Region's bus system by replacing its outdated dispatch and vehicle communication system. Schumer announced that he is seeking the funding for this project through the federal Department of Transportation's TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant program, which provides funding for road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve critical national objectives. The objective of this project is to use a new and functional dispatch/communications system to improve transit service safety, reliability, and efficiency. The current dispatch/communications system has reached the end of its useful life due to the fact that many of the parts needed to improve the system have been discontinued. Additionally, onboard systems need to be integrated with maintenance systems to provide for automated maintenance notifications and alerts, and the current system does not allow that. Schumer also announced he is pushing to secure $17.3 million in TIGER funds for another project in the Capital Region. This project, at the Port of Albany, would make major improvements to the maritime terminal that would enable it to accommodate containers on barges from the Port of NY & NJ. This project would reduce congestion on New York's highways, as well as in and around Albany, by moving container traffic off of trucks and onto barges. Schumer explained that reducing traffic and increasing port efficiency will benefit businesses across Upstate New York.

"It is critical that we secure the funding CDTA needs to upgrade its dispatching technology for the exciting, new Bus Rapid Transit system, because we have seen it has so many benefits for the Capital Region: it reduces congestion, saves time for commuters, and spurs business and job growth," said Schumer. "These much-needed upgrades would not only benefit the Capital Region's commuters, but also businesses and visitors to the region by increasing the efficiency and safety of the transit system. This federal funding will provide better transit service and increased safety for riders, and inject energy into the economy."

CDTA PROJECT

This project would allow CDTA to integrate its systems with a larger effort to achieve 40 miles of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service in the New York State (NYS) Capital Region. In addition to providing basic reliable communications, using hybrid electric technology and alternative fuels, with various amenities such as automatic announcements, real time passenger information, and safety triggers, onboard systems can be integrated with maintenance systems to provide for automated maintenance notifications and alerts.

The first 17 miles of BRT was successfully launched in April 2011 and has resulted in a 20% increase in ridership. A Computer Aided Dispatch/Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) system replacement is instrumental in effectively launching the next phases. This project will accommodate approximately 280 revenue vehicles (fixed route and paratransit), approximately 40 non-revenue vehicles, support equipment, and the mobile data communications infrastructure at four Radio Frequency (RF) tower locations.

Schumer has been a long-time advocate of CDTA. In March 2014, Schumer urged the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to approve CDTA's recently-submitted application for federal funds through FTA's "New Starts" program to expand the Capital Region's bus system. In addition, Schumer originally helped secure over $18 million (70% of the project's total cost) for CDTA's Route 5 rapid bus transit line, which runs between Albany and Schenectady.

PORT OF ALBANY PROJECT

Schumer also announced he is lending his support to another project in the Capital Region that is seeking 17.3 million in TIGER funding. The Port of Albany is seeking to build out its terminal in a way that will allow it to be better equipped to receive containers from barge traffic emanating from the Port of NY & NJ. These enhancements would allow the port to become a major destination for the increased barge traffic coming from New York City due to the widening of the Panama Canal and improvements being made around New York Harbor. This project would decrease truck traffic across the state and benefit many businesses in the Capital Region who would have more access to shipments coming in and out of the Port of Albany.

The construction project will create at least 60-70 jobs and the resulting container operation would create an additional 15-30 longshore and security jobs. Reducing congestion and increasing efficiency on the roads, and the marine terminal and waterways will result in more predictable service, which will in turn allow businesses Upstate to more effectively export goods through New York City and beyond.

The TIGER Discretionary Grant program provides an opportunity for DOT to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve critical national objectives. In each round of TIGER, DOT receives many applications to build and repair critical pieces of freight and passenger transportation networks.

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