Remote Surveillance Trailer in Albany, OR

Albany’s Volunteer State Emergency Service has a new local manager after Nathan Anderson stepped down at the end of last month.

Ben Whittle owns a metal fabrication business and has been a volunteer for 11 years and has stepped up to the top job.

He paid tribute to his predecessor who had been in the role for 2½ years.

“Nathan is one of those guys who will do anything for you, and he has kept the unit running well,” he said.

“He just has other commitments with his time, but he is still part of the unit, he’s still hanging around.”

Mr Whittle said he wanted to move on from his role in operations and he was ready for a new challenge.

“I wanted to step up in the ranks and keep the unit running smoothly,” he said.

He said he was hoping to attract younger volunteers with Facebook and TikTok campaigns.

“The young fellas have got TikTok up and running so we can hopefully be better at using social media as a recruitment tool and increase awareness of what we do,” he said.

Mr Whittle said he volunteered because he wanted to give something back to the community.

“When you do a stretcher-assist with St John WA or rescue people in all weathers, it’s great to see the gratitude of the people you have helped out,” he said.

In May this year he won the top award at the Great Southern’s Volunteer of the Year Awards with a range of community organisations and individuals recognised on the night.

His new deputy manager is Gavin Murdock, who has moved into the role after being a section leader.

The service you love, with more speed and more convenience! Contactless Fares are available on our Navigator App! Have more questions? Call (518) 482-8822.

What is BusPlus? BusPlus, CDTA’s version of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), provides limited stop service along the busiest travel corridors in the Capital Region. Beginning in November 2023 the Purple Line will connect the Washington & Western corridors with fast and frequent service between downtown Albany, the University at Albany, and Crossgates Mall. The launch of our Purple Line completes a system that now covers over 40 miles of BRT service that produces more than 60% of the Region’s transit trips, accounting for 8 million annual boardings.

What makes it different?

• Faster Service: Fewer stops, traffic signal priority, and queue jump lanes move BRT buses through corridors and intersections faster. • Frequency & Span: BusPlus arrives regularly throughout the day with more service during peak periods, often running earlier in the morning and later at night.• Convenience: New larger stations provide shelter, security, and improved pedestrian connections, while fleet vehicles offer complimentary Wi-Fi and charging ports to keep you moving.

Contactless Fares are available on our Navigator App!

PURPLE LINE (Washington-Western) The Purple Line hit the street on November 5, 2023. BusPlus service along the Washington & Western corridors are in addition to local routes that will continue to operate between downtown Albany, the University at Albany, and Crossgates Mall. Purple Line service is provided at 14 easily identifiable purple stations along the Washington/Western corridor, with tall vertical pylon signs next to purple and silver stations. This service uses 60-foot articulated buses with complimentary Wi-Fi and charging ports.

* Park & Ride service available

What does it cost to ride the BRT Purple Line? BusPlus fares are $2 per ride for cash customers, while Navigator smart card or mobile app customers pay just $1.30 per ride, as with all other fixed route services and FLEX On Demand.

Will local service still be offered on the Western/Washington corridors? Local service on the Washington/Western corridors will offer customers similar access to the same locations with enhanced BRT service. Four local stops along Western Avenue will be discontinued as upgraded BRT stations are available one block to either side of the old stops. This will reinstate parking spaces along the commercial corridor for motorists. The local stops being removed are Pine Avenue, West Lawrence Street, Onterio Street, and North Lake Avenue.

BLUE LINE (River) The BusPlus Blue Line operates along the 15-mile corridor runs along the Hudson River connecting Albany, Cohoes, Menands, Troy, Waterford and Watervliet. The corridor has a growing employment base and the service connects to a host of CDTA services including the other BusPlus lines in Downtown Albany. The corridor has more than 2 million boardings annually, making it the third busiest transit corridor in the Capital Region. BusPlus reduces traffic congestion along Route 32 and stimulate economic development while reducing parking demand in the bookend cities of Albany and Troy.

RED LINE (NY Route 5) The BusPlus Red Line provides limited stop service on the 17-mile stretch of Route 5 between downtown Schenectady and downtown Albany. The service also runs through Colonie and Niskayuna where 15% of the Capital Region’s population lives and where 30% of jobs. BusPlus’ ridership was nearly 1.8 million during FY2020 and the Route 5 corridor has surpassed 4 million rides annually, providing access to Proctor’s Theater, Schenectady Community College, Colonie Center, the Capitol Building, Empire State Plaza, and Downtown Albany.