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The rollout of Ulster County Area Transit's (UCAT) new bus schedule began smoothly on Monday (September 15) in Kingston. According to Toni Roser, the director of transportation, the transition went well, with only minor confusion about stop locations. Staff members were present at both Kingston Station and Development Court to assist riders with the new routes.
The changes were necessary after the owner of Kingston Plaza, previously a major transfer point, requested the county to stop using the property for bus transfers. As a result, the transportation hub was moved to Development Court, a county complex on Ulster Avenue. Although the changes aim to improve service reliability, some residents and local officials, including Legislator Abe Uchitelle, expressed concerns about the impact on uptown Kingston. Uchitelle emphasized that the move should only be temporary until a suitable replacement is found.
The schedule changes are part of a broader Route Optimization Plan conducted in partnership with the Ulster County Transportation Council. Preliminary routes will be released for public comment in October. Meanwhile, UCAT has provided resources, including a FAQ page and a customer satisfaction survey, to help riders adjust to the new system.
The Daily Freeman reported that the changes are not intended to be permanent and could be adjusted based on the optimization study results. Deputy County Executive Amanda LaValle assured that the changes aim to make the system more efficient and rider-friendly.