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An Ulster County legislator is raising concerns about upcoming changes to the Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) bus service, particularly the decision to relocate the main transfer hub from Kingston Plaza to Development Court in Ulster. Legislator Gregory McCollough, representing Kingston, believes that moving the hub could create significant hardships for riders who rely on the current setup.
The changes, set to begin on September 15, will eliminate Kingston Plaza as the primary transfer point for most buses. Deputy County Executive Amanda LaValle stated that the property owner requested the move, and the county had to act quickly to maintain service continuity. Development Court, located approximately 2.6 miles from Kingston Plaza, will become the new hub due to its capacity to accommodate 50 buses daily.
Despite the relocation, bus service to Kingston Plaza will continue for shoppers, and some routes, like the Kingston/Saugerties line, will still stop there. Other routes will allow riders to board buses anywhere along their path through Uptown Kingston. Deputy County Executive Amberly Jane Campbell mentioned that while immediate changes are necessary, long-term adjustments based on a Route Optimization Plan are in the works to better serve the community.
The changes come amid a rise in ridership following the introduction of free countywide bus service in October 2022, which has led to increased congestion and reports of unruly behavior at Kingston Plaza.