I am absolutely thrilled that starting Monday I will be able to take the Route 719 express bus downtown at a reasonable hour for work. It used to be an option for me, but it always so early, that I would get to work like 30-45 minutes earlier then necessary. I had done that occasionally in the past when I needed to get to work early, but otherwise, I am not going to get to work a half hour early when there is no reason get there so early.

While riding the bus is much easier than dealing with city traffic, taking the uncrowded express downtown sure will be nice for a change. Occasionally I may take the local in evening, especially when I have to stay late for work, but especially during the slow time of the year (the summer months), the express bus will be awesome.

Several other lines will be changing expanding their services too …

• Route #1 (Central Avenue) – Saturday frequency will be increased to every 20 minutes from 8am-8pm providing relief for overcrowding.
• Route #12 (Washington Avenue) – Weekday frequency will be increased to every 10 minutes during the afternoon & evening. Saturday service from 12pm-10pm will increase to every 15 minutes. Sunday frequency will be increased to every 20 minutes for a majority of the day.
• Route #224 (Albany-Troy-Rensselaer) – Weekday morning frequency will be increased to every 15 minutes, while afternoon frequency will be increased to 20 minutes Monday – Friday.
• Route #712 (Harriman Campus/Patroon Creek) – A total of 9 round trips will be added to address multiple work start times and enhance service for afternoon return trips.
• Route #719 (Voorheesville/Altamont) – The route will see five additional trips that will serve the Elm Avenue Park & Ride in Delmar.
• Route #737 (Corporate Woods/Airport) – Peak frequency will increase to every 30 minutes.
• Route #905 (BusPlus, Albany-Schenectady) – Saturday service will be extended to 12:45am, while frequency will be increased to every 15 minutes from 10am-7pm. Sunday night service will be expanded to 12:15am.