# CDTA Navigator > Real-time transit tracking, mobile payments, and multimodal trip planning for NY's Capital Region. (iPhone/iPad app by CDTA - Capital District Transportation Authority.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cdta-navigator/id329554386 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [CDTA - Capital District Transportation Authority](https://appshunter.io/developer/329554389) - Category: Utilities, Travel - Price: Free - Rating: 4.20/5 from 1,223 App Store ratings · 189 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 14.0 · 176 MB - Languages: Australian English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish and 31 more - Released: 2009-09-15 - Data updated: 2026-08-27 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cdta-navigator/id329554386/reviews.md ## What is CDTA Navigator? Introducing CDTA's Navigator: Your Passport to travel in New York’s Capital Region! Customers will discover a world of convenience and efficiency with enhanced features in the upgraded Navigator app. You can unlock a seamless transit experience featuring real-time arrivals, precise location tracking, and seamless access to Flex on Demand service! If you are looking for a multimodal trip, users will have streamlined access to CDPHP Cycle! and DRIVE. It's time to embark on all new journeys with the CDTA Navigator app! When you upgrade to the Navigator app, you’ll enjoy the following benefits: Mobile Payments Made Easy: Load transit products directly onto your mobile phone for quick and contactless payments, anytime, anywhere! Simply scan and go! Enhanced Security: When you register for a Navigator account, your balance is fully protected even if your card or mobile device gets misplaced or stolen. Travel with peace of mind, knowing that your funds are secure. Daily Cap (Best Fare): Navigator's Pay As You Go feature automatically charges you the "best fare" ($1.30) for every trip, ensuring that you never pay more than the cost of a day pass ($3.90). Enjoy unlimited rides without breaking the bank. Real-Time Arrivals and Location Services: Stay one step ahead with real-time arrival time updates. With Navigator, you'll know exactly when your bus will reach you and your destination. Additionally, our precise location tracking feature lets you navigate the Capital Region with ease. Access to Flex Transit On Demand and CDPHP Cycle: You can now seamlessly connect with FLEX On Demand and CDPHP Cycle through the Navigator app. Enjoy the flexibility of on-demand transit and the convenience of bike-sharing, all within the same user-friendly interface. Faster Boarding: Say hello to efficient boarding. Navigator's smart cards and contactless mobile tickets expedite the boarding process, making your trips faster and smoother. Get where you need to go in no time! For more information and assistance, visit our Navigator App Questions page at https://www.cdta.org/navigator-app-questions. Our dedicated support team is ready to assist you every step of the way. Please note that an internet connection is required to access all of Navigator’s features and benefits. ## Key features - Real-time bus arrivals and location tracking - Mobile ticketing and contactless payments - Fare capping with daily best fare - Integration with CDPHP Cycle! and DRIVE - Access to Flex On Demand transit - Enhanced security for account balances ## What do users think of CDTA Navigator? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 👍 Easy and accurate - 👍 Helpful app - 👍 Convenient payment options - 👍 Reliable schedules - 👍 Useful for commuting **Cons** - 🐛 Inaccurate real-time tracking - 🐛 Inconsistent bus arrival times - 🐛 Buggy payment processing - 🐛 Unreliable app updates - 🐛 Lack of communication about service changes **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes or freezes - Inability to add payment methods - Incorrect bus arrival times - Disappearing bus passes - Faulty GPS location tracking **Most requested features** - Improved real-time bus tracking - Better integration with other transit apps - Ability to report issues directly through the app - More flexible payment options - Expanded service areas and route coverage ## Recent user reviews (10 of 189) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cdta-navigator/id329554386/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Welcome to CDTA! *2026-07-30, version 5.178* I’m unsure if I got on a bus that arrived 9 minutes late or a bus that’s 6 minutes early. ### 1/5 — Absolute trash *2026-07-30, version 5.178* This public transportation system is an absolute joke of a service. The drivers either come late or early and sometimes you’ll be outright ignored at a stop and and left. This service is basically a gamble of maybe making it to your destination, late or early and in some cases not at all. I absolutely hate this poor excuse of a service and I feel sorry for anyone who has to actually rely on them for transportation anywhere. If there was any other option for a public transportation service, other than being absolutely robbed by Uber or Lyft, I would never give any business to CDTA. Not to mention, that more than half of the drivers for CDTA do not know how to drive the vehicle. The drivers drive too fast and you have to deal with constantly being break checked, which is an awful experience. If you take care of any elderly people, whether it be friends or family, do not let them use this service because they’re safety will be in jeopardy, due to the constant break checking and reckless driving by the majority of the CDTA drivers. I sincerely hope that this company goes out of business, or that maybe they can find a way to hire drivers that actually care even 1% about their passengers and their job. If I could give them less than one star I would. The bottom line is that you should do your absolute best to avoid using this service or giving this company any business until they either go out of business or find competent drivers. ### 5/5 — Navigator App *2026-07-16, version 5.178* Very easy n convenient way to find all bus routes and pay for fare. Definitely a big help when on the go. ### 1/5 — 12 pésimo servicio *2026-06-29, version 5.178* El 12 ve que viene la gente corriendo y ve que va llegando y se va pésimo servicio es siempre una mujer ### 5/5 — 9.5 *2026-06-28, version 5.178* Great convenient app I give it a 9.5 my only issue is that once you confirm your fare it’s gone it should see that it wasn’t used and the fee ones should go back automatically because a few times I confirmed a fare and it was an out of service bus and the next bus came after the time allotment ### 3/5 — Frustrating *2026-06-25, version 5.178* When it works, it’s great to be able to scan the QR code on my phone for my fare. The main problem comes when trying to add funds. If you need to add a debit or credit card to your account to fund your Navigator account, without fail you get an error message stating your card information isn’t correct and it won’t let you upload the card. You have to actually call and give your card details over the phone to a customer service rep (not ideal if you’re in public). If it’s a weekend, you better hope you have change between your couch cushions, because the sales department doesn’t work weekends. ### 1/5 — Terrible *2026-06-08, version 5.178* Your app dosent work at all ### 1/5 — Never accurate *2026-06-06, version 5.178* This app is very so accurate. People rely on this to get to and from work. I’ve been waiting over 20 minutes for the 182 that was supposed to be here 7 mins ago ### 5/5 — i love da bus *2026-06-03, version 5.178* and da bus loves me ### 1/5 — never works *2026-05-03, version 5.178* this app barley ever works for me and will just keep my money hostage while i have to pay the full fare price over & over please fix you app, many people NEED it. it’s 10 pm i need to get home from works. smh ## Frequently asked questions about CDTA Navigator ### What does the CDTA Navigator app do? The CDTA Navigator app provides a comprehensive transit experience for New York's Capital Region. It offers real-time bus arrival information, precise location tracking, and mobile ticketing for contactless payments. The app also integrates with bike-sharing services and on-demand transit options for multimodal trip planning. ### What are the key features of the CDTA Navigator app? Key features include real-time arrival updates, mobile payments for transit products, enhanced security for account balances, a daily fare cap that ensures you always get the best fare, and seamless access to CDPHP Cycle! and Flex On Demand services. It also facilitates faster boarding with smart cards and mobile tickets. ### Is the CDTA Navigator app free to use? Yes, the CDTA Navigator app is free to download and use. While the app itself is free, users will need to purchase transit products or tickets through the app to utilize the transit services. The app offers a 'best fare' system that automatically caps your daily spending. ### What is the daily cap feature? The daily cap, also known as the 'best fare' feature, automatically charges you the lowest possible fare for your trips. For example, it charges $1.30 per trip and ensures you never pay more than the cost of a day pass, which is $3.90. This allows for unlimited rides within a day without overpaying. ### What is the benefit of registering for a Navigator account? Registering for a Navigator account provides enhanced security for your transit balance. If your card or mobile device is lost or stolen, your funds remain protected. This offers peace of mind while traveling, ensuring your money is secure. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 5.178 — 2025-10-28 New: The "Pay" tab now shows everything related to passes and fare payment in one convenient location. ### 5.145.2 — 2024-06-13 NFC will now be disabled when a ride is activated in the app to prevent Apple Pay from automatically starting ### 5.140 — 2024-04-09 Added bus crowdedness indicators ### 5.129.1 — 2023-10-31 Updated itinerary view and arrival time display for buses ### 5.123.2 — 2023-08-13 Upgrade your transit experience with the new Navigator app and unlock a world of possibilities. 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User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*