CDTA to propose changes to FLEX service, Route #117 in Albany, Saratoga counties

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Capital District Transportation Authority will be holding two public meetings this week to discuss changes to its FLEX service and Route #117 in Albany and Saratoga counties. The meetings will be held on Monday and Wednesday.

CDTA's on-demand FLEX service provides on-demand transportation within Colonie, Guilderland, Latham and southern Saratoga County. Stops include locations like Crossgates Mall, Albany International Airport, Clifton Park Center and other prominent destinations.

At Monday's meeting, the public transportation agency will propose to reduce the current size of the Guilderland/Colonie FLEX service zone. The proposed minimized coverage area, CDTA said, will enable faster and more reliable connections to Crossgates Mall, where customers can then switch to a fixed route for the remainder of their trip. Maps of the current and proposed Guilderland/Colonie FLEX zones can be found below:

CDTA will also propose to increase the frequency and span of bus route #117 -- which travels between Crossgates Mall, Colonie Center and Albany International Airport -- to improve the fixed route connection. This route would be extended from Albany International to Route 7 in order to provide connections to bus route #370 and Latham Farms. Additionally, to speed up connections, the route would begin between traveling between Colonie Station and Crossgates via I-87 instead of Fuller Road and Western Avenue.

On Wednesday, CDTA will propose to remove the town of Stillwater from the Southern Saratoga FLEX zone. The service would continue, however, in the village of Stillwater.

As part of the last proposed change, customers in both the Guilderland FLEX service zone and the Southern Saratoga FLEX service zone would begin using a "point-to-point" pick-up and drop-off method. These pick-up and drop-off points would be located primarily on main roads.

Each of the proposed changes, if approved, would go into effect on May 25. Public feedback is open until April 25. Those who wish to comment on the changes can email CDTA Senior Planner Ethan Warren at ethanw@cdta.org, call CDTA's customer service line at (518) 482-8822 or attend one of the two upcoming public meetings.

The public meeting for the Guilderland/Colonie FLEX service proposals will take place on Monday at 5 p.m. at the Guilderland Public Library. Those interested in attending virtually can register online.

The public meeting for the Southern Saratoga FLEX service proposals will be held on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Mechanicville Public library. Those interested in attending virtually can register online.