The Capital District Transportation Authority reported this week what my neighbors sitting on their front porch could have told them months ago: the No. 473 goes by every 20 minutes every day with rarely anyone on board but the driver. From early in the day to late into the evening, the full-size bus chugs along from its route connecting Skidmore College (out of session since May) to downtown and up Jefferson Street to the racino, where it turns around to repeat the lonely route.
I'm a huge proponent of public transportation, used wisely. It's about time CDTA took a hard look at the well-used and under-used routes -- and did something about them.
The documented travel is a good first step. The routes from Wilton through Saratoga Springs to the county seat in Ballston Spa fills a real need. Less-used routes needn't be abandoned entirely if there's a need. But it might be more cost-effective to subsidize a few taxi rides than to run full-sized, empty buses hour after hour.
Check out the report and let the CDTA know what you think.