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Starting today (August 11), stewards will join passengers on Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) buses in Kingston. The county hired two stewards to address unruly behavior reported on these buses. This initiative is part of the budget passed by the county legislature in December, allocating $131,498 for the stewards' employment.
Deputy County Executive Amberly Jane Campbell explained that the stewards will initially ride all routes before being assigned as needed. They will focus on curbing bad behavior, providing bus scheduling information, and assisting riders, allowing drivers to concentrate on driving.
The decision to hire stewards comes as UCAT has seen a surge in ridership following the implementation of a free-fare system in October 2022. According to the Daily Freeman, UCAT provided 281,834 free rides in the first half of 2025, a 12% increase from the same period in 2024. The no-fare rides are subsidized by the county's surplus fund balance, with state and federal governments funding 75% of UCAT's operations.
The stewards' presence aims to improve safety and enhance the overall experience for bus riders in Ulster County.