Learn more
Universal Access Program from CDTA Increases Quality of Life Across the Capital Region
SPONSORED BY Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA)
With over 50 partners across six counties in Upstate New York participating in this unique, scalable transit benefit, Universal Access is rapidly expanding throughout the Capital Region’s marquee businesses, colleges, and health care institutions. Partner-members as diverse as the St. Peter’s Health Partners and Price Chopper/Market 32 have already joined, recognizing that Universal Access enhances the travel, work, academic and health care experience for their stakeholders.
Universal Access offers clear benefits for Capital Region businesses and organizations:
• Enhanced employee satisfaction and retention
• Reduced infrastructure costs
• Improved access to talent pool
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainability
By Monica Vanover on September 22, 2025
Inside the Universal Access Program
The goal of the UA program is to provide unfettered access to area businesses, hospitals, schools and universities along CDTA’s comprehensive network which connects the region using local, express, commuter, and bus rapid transit routes. Through the program, many residential areas, retail spaces, medical centers, education institutions, and business districts CDTA serves become easily accessible.
Why Universal Access
Understanding how the program works is just the first step—here's why it matters for our organizations and communities. Research consistently demonstrates that access to a reliable public transit system is one of the important factors determining a city’s quality of life. Taking affordable public transit starts with convenience—no more traffic delays, weather-related hassles or parking headaches—and adds superior health outcomes, economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
Cities consistently ranked as most livable worldwide prioritize public transit infrastructure, and academic research repeatedly identifies transportation systems as one of the crucial elements that scholars use to evaluate neighborhood and city livability. This is especially true when transportation makes access to health care and education more affordable.
“Access to health care is critical for our community,” explains CDTA CEO Frank Annicaro, noting how service to Wellness Way, CDPHP’s new state of the art health campus, is a game-changer for residents seeking care and health care employees.
Employers have found that offering transit service as a benefit to employees enhances employee satisfaction and increases retention. Fewer cars commuting to work translates to fuel and vehicle cost-saving. For employers, it means a decrease of on-site parking needs, cutting costs and saving limited space.
Paul Milton, Ellis Medicine President & CEO, agrees, saying, “Joining CDTA’s Universal Access Program offers our colleagues another fantastic benefit that can have a far-reaching impact. Public transit offers an eco-friendly commuting alternative and also can ease the parking crunch on some of our campuses.”
Thriving businesses, tourism, access to world class health care and education—the Capital Region is built on these ideals. CDTA’s Universal Access Program is one major contributor to increasing the well-being of Capital Region residents from all walks of life. Ready to enhance your employee benefits while supporting a more livable Capital Region? Contact CDTA's Business Development Department at (518) 437-8300 to explore how Universal Access can work for your organization. Visit cdta.org/universal-access to learn more.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in
The Universal Access program provides stability for both the employee and employer with free, reliable transportation to work, as well as make downtown Albany a destination of choice for employment in the hospitality, retail and retail related industries.”
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in
Learn more
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in
Learn more
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in
Learn more
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in
Learn more
CDTA encourages benefit providers of Capital Region to consider offering the Universal Access Program as part of every organization’s suite of benefits.
“We hear regularly from the owners that staffing shortages prohibit them from expanding hours to better serve the community,” says Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District.
“The Universal Access program provides stability for both the employee and employer with free, reliable transportation to work, as well as make downtown Albany a destination of choice for employment in the hospitality, retail and retail related industries.”
The program works by connecting an employee, student or resident’s company ID card to CDTA’s fare-box system. Partners can also use CDTA's Navigator smart cards or mobile tickets to access these services as needed.
Access is paid for by the employer through an annual fee based on overall usage. The annual cost is dependent upon the level of ridership. A predetermined, discounted price per ride is used as the basis for computing cost. The agreements often include annual price ceilings to control cost exposure while providing budget predictability. Some organizations may pass a portion of this expense on to employees or students to help pay for access.
The program is part of CDTA’s larger push for mobility solutions in the region. Along with Universal Access, CDTA offers a wide choice of mobility options including the CDPHP Cycle! bike sharing program, the FLEX On Demand Transit service, DRIVE electric car sharing as well as emerging services to accommodate community or partner needs.
SPONSORED BY Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA)
With over 60 partners across six counties in Upstate New York participating in this unique, scalable transit benefit, the Universal Access Program is rapidly expanding throughout the Capital Region’s marquee businesses, colleges, and healthcare institutions. Partner-members as diverse as the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, St. Peter’s Health Partners, and Discover Albany have already joined, recognizing that the Universal Access Program enhances the travel, work, academic and healthcare experience for their stakeholders.
With clear benefits for Capital Region businesses and organizations like:
• Enhanced employee satisfaction and retention
• Reduced infrastructure costs
• Improved access to talent pool
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainability
The goal of the Universal Access Program is to provide unfettered access to area businesses, hospitals, schools and universities along the CDTA’s comprehensive network which connects the region using local, express, commuter and bus rapid transit routes. Through the program, all residential areas, retail spaces, medical centers, education institutions, and business districts CDTA serves become easily accessed.
Why Universal Access
Understanding how the program works is just the first step—here's why it matters for our organizations and communities. Research consistently demonstrates that access to reliable public transportation system is one of the important factors determining a city’s quality of life. Taking affordable public transportation starts with convenience—no more traffic delays, weather-related hassles or parking headaches—and adds superior health outcomes, economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
Cities consistently ranked as most livable worldwide prioritize public transportation infrastructure, and academic research repeatedly identifies transportation systems as one of the crucial elements that scholars use to evaluate neighborhood and city livability. This is especially true when transportation makes access to healthcare and education more affordable.
“Access to health care is critical for our community,” explains CDTA CEO Frank Annicaro, noting how service to Wellness Way, CDPHP’s new state of the art health campus, is a game-changer for residents seeking care and healthcare employees.
Employers have found that offering transit service as a benefit to employees enhances employee satisfaction and increases retention. Fewer cars commuting to work translates to fuel and vehicle cost-saving. For employers, it means a decrease of on-site parking needs, cutting costs and saving limited space.
Paul Milton, Ellis Medicine President & CEO, agrees, saying, “Joining CDTA’s Universal Access Program offers our colleagues another fantastic benefit that can have a far-reaching impact. Public transit offers an eco-friendly commuting alternative and also can ease the parking crunch on some of our campuses.”
Thriving businesses, tourism, access to world class healthcare education—the Capital Region is built on these ideals. CDTA’s Universal Access Program is one major contributor to increasing the well-being of Capital Region residents from all walks of life. Ready to enhance your employee benefits while supporting a more livable Capital Region? Contact CDTA's Business Development Department at (518) 437-8300 to explore how Universal Access can work for your organization. Visit cdta.org/universal-access to learn more.
Functional, accessible public transportation systems are among the most important factors determining urban livability. This core axiom is the bedrock of the Universal Access Program, an initiative by the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). With the success of local businesses and the quality of life of its employees in mind, the Universal Access Program offers program members free or reduced-cost access to the full network of CDTA’s routes.
“At CDTA, we are committed to providing reliable transportation options,” says CDTA CEO Frank Annicaro who helped spearhead the initiative. “CDTA understands how important it is to get to your destination safely and efficiently. Our comprehensive route network ensures a hassle-free commute, ensuring our riders they will no longer have to worry about transportation.”
"This Universal Access program will provide stability for both the employee and employer with free, reliable transportation to work, as well as make downtown Albany a destination of choice for employment for those in the hospitality, retail and retail related industries."
Why Universal Access
Innovative and accessible public transit systems are among the most important factors determining urban livability. This core axiom is the bedrock of the Universal Access Program, an initiative by the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). The program focuses on the success of local businesses and the quality of life of its employees. For the uninitiated, Universal Access offers member organizations reduced-cost access to the full network of CDTA’s routes and mobility options.
“At CDTA, we are committed to providing reliable transit options,” says CDTA CEO Frank Annicaro who joined the organization in May 2025. “CDTA understands how important it is to get to your destination safely and efficiently. Our comprehensive route network ensures a hassle-free commute, ensuring our customers they do not need to worry about transportation.”