For Release:            Immediate – November 2, 2015

Contact:                  Jerry Gretzinger, Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Relations ­

  (518) 956-7359 | ggretzinger@sunypoly.edu

SUNY POLY CNSE TO PROVIDE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO CDTA ROUTE NETWORK AT NO COST TO STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF

Unlimited rides encourage innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to connecting NanoCollege students and employees with the Greater Capital Region

Albany, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute, on behalf of its Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (SUNY Poly CNSE), and in partnership with the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), today announced it has joined the popular Universal Access program to provide unlimited rides on CDTA services to students, faculty and staff at no cost effective Monday, November 2, 2015.  The free service addresses increased demand for access to SUNY Poly CNSE’s Nanotech complex while reducing the potential for impact on traffic patterns in and around its facilities off Fuller Road in Albany.  The Universal Access program includes CDTA’s regular route services offering over 50 routes and connections throughout the region, STAR paratransit service and Northway Xpress (NX) Commuter service.

“With today’s announcement, the many benefits of CDTA’s Universal Access program are now available to all SUNY students and faculty in the Capital Region,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. "This innovative program broadens and enhances the SUNY college experience by making it easier - and free - for students to travel the region and take in all it has to offer. I commend SUNY Poly for securing this access for its students, faculty, and staff."

“With the continued growth of SUNY Poly CNSE, it is important to enable new transportation opportunities for students, faculty and staff.  Through our partnership with CDTA, we are able to offer an innovative option that’s reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly,” said SUNY Poly President and CEO Dr. Alain Kaloyeros.  “Not only can students and employees access CNSE facilities through the Universal Access program, they can use it for all of their transportation needs throughout the region.  All they need is a valid SUNY Poly CNSE ID and they can travel to campus or retail centers or anywhere else serviced by CDTA.”

“We are pleased to partner with SUNY Poly CNSE to offer its students and employees unlimited rides on CDTA buses anywhere and anytime they operate,” said CDTA Chairman of the Board David M. Stackrow. “The Universal Access program has been an extremely successful initiative that promotes the many benefits of public transportation, while encouraging increased travel thought the Capital Region.  We are thrilled to welcome CNSE to the growing list of forward thinking colleges and companies participating with Universal Access.”

Currently, CDTA works with over a dozen colleges and businesses to provide unlimited access for students and employees.  Qualifying riders need only present a valid ID upon boarding to access the full complement of CDTA bus routes. The universal access model encourages riders to take full advantage of unlimited service and adopt a sustainable lifestyle by incorporating CDTA travel into their daily living beyond the commute to school or work.

Senator Neil Breslin said, “I applaud both SUNY Polytechnic Institute's Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the CDTA for partnering together to make this free Universal Access program available to their students and faculty.  This service is not only environmentally friendly, but by facilitating access of students and faculty with our community the economic benefits are innumerable as well.”

Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy said, “This is great news for all employees and students at SUNY Poly who will now have ready access to public transportation via CDTA's Universal Access Program by simply using their ID cards. I commend SUNY Poly for providing this no cost transportation service, which will go a long way toward increasing access to good paying jobs, relieving traffic congestion and making our roads safer - and all while improving the environment. Dr. Kaloyeros should be congratulated for taking this far reaching step to assist faculty, staff, and students, which I hope will serve as a model throughout the region."

Assemblyman John T. McDonald III said, “The participation of SUNY Polytechnic Institute with CDTA in the Universal Access program is not only smart but a wise partnership for both entities and the public that we serve. CDTA's ridership continues to thrive due to partnerships such as this, which is important as we continue to grow our region but grow it with minimal negative impact on our roadways.  As ridership grows we can build the frequency of rides, which is a classic example of building success on success. SUNY POLY's participation is a large part of that success and what I hope will be an inspiration to others to grow this program.

CDTA will provide bus service to SUNY Poly CNSE via new Fuller Road bus stops, which were constructed this past summer.  Four existing routes (#114, #117, #190, and #712) were expanded to serve the new stops.  A map detailing the revised routes is included.

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SUNY Polytechnic Institute. SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem, formed from the merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNY Institute of Technology. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany location and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica/Rome location. Thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts more than $43 billion in high-tech investments, over 300 corporate partners, and maintains a statewide footprint. The 1.3 million-square-foot Albany NanoTech megaplex is home to more than 4,000 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, faculty, and staff, in addition to Tech Valley High School. SUNY Poly operates the Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center (SCiTI) at Kiernan Plaza in Albany, the Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon, the Central New York Hub for Emerging Nano Industries in Syracuse, the Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center (STC) in Canandaigua, and the Photovoltaic Manufacturing and Technology Development Facility in Rochester where SUNY Poly also leads the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics. SUNY Poly founded and manages the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (Quad-C) at its Utica location and also manages the $500 million New York Power Electronics Manufacturing Consortium, with nodes in Albany and Rochester, as well as the Buffalo High-Tech Manufacturing Innovation Hub at RiverBend, Buffalo Information Technologies Innovation and Commercialization Hub, and Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub. For information visit www.sunycnse.com and www.sunypoly.edu.

CDTA. The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) was created in 1970 by the New York State Legislature as a public benefit corporation to provide regional transportation services by rail, bus, water and air. CDTA is the premier mobility provider in the Capital Region, providing local, express, commuter and bus rapid transit services. CDTA owns and operates the Rensselaer Rail and Saratoga Springs Train Stations. Today, nearly 650 people work to deliver a transit system that transports 60,000 customers each weekday.