UCAT Route Optimization Plan

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We are charting a course to optimize Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) to better serve travel needs in Ulster County — and we want to hear from YOU as we embark on this effort!

An overview of this materials was provided by project staff on November 13th; recordings and presentation slides can be found under "Previous Public Meeting Materials."

UCAT is partnering with the Ulster County Transportation Council (UCTC) on the UCAT Route Optimization Plan to study how the existing UCAT system — including its routes, schedules, and services — can be transformed to better serve the public.

All project materials will be posted in the menu to the right, as well as on the UCTC Website, as they become available, including an upcoming interactive mapping platform.

Public Information Sessions

Two identical public information sessions were held on Wednesday November 13 at the Restorative Justice and Community Empowerment Center in Kingston, NY. Recordings and presentation slides are available for viewing under Previous Public Meeting Materials.

All previous public information session slides and recordings can be viewed by following the links on the window to the right; members of the public are welcome to submit questions to staff through the Q&A tool below.

Project Lifecycle steps include the following:

  1. Current Routes and Data Points
  2. Technology and Software Analysis
  3. Route and Service Alternatives
  4. Scenario Vetting and Field Testing
  5. Implementation Plan
  6. Updated Service Launch

We are charting a course to optimize Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) to better serve travel needs in Ulster County — and we want to hear from YOU as we embark on this effort!

An overview of this materials was provided by project staff on November 13th; recordings and presentation slides can be found under "Previous Public Meeting Materials."

UCAT is partnering with the Ulster County Transportation Council (UCTC) on the UCAT Route Optimization Plan to study how the existing UCAT system — including its routes, schedules, and services — can be transformed to better serve the public.

All project materials will be posted in the menu to the right, as well as on the UCTC Website, as they become available, including an upcoming interactive mapping platform.

Public Information Sessions

Two identical public information sessions were held on Wednesday November 13 at the Restorative Justice and Community Empowerment Center in Kingston, NY. Recordings and presentation slides are available for viewing under Previous Public Meeting Materials.

All previous public information session slides and recordings can be viewed by following the links on the window to the right; members of the public are welcome to submit questions to staff through the Q&A tool below.

Project Lifecycle steps include the following:

  1. Current Routes and Data Points
  2. Technology and Software Analysis
  3. Route and Service Alternatives
  4. Scenario Vetting and Field Testing
  5. Implementation Plan
  6. Updated Service Launch

Ask a question here! We'll get right back to you!

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  • Share I live on 9W and rely on the bus (do not drive) to get to Poughkeepsie for work. I have trouble catching the bus back to Kingston so I can go back home. Is there a plan to coordinate better with Dutchess County's bus system? on Facebook Share I live on 9W and rely on the bus (do not drive) to get to Poughkeepsie for work. I have trouble catching the bus back to Kingston so I can go back home. Is there a plan to coordinate better with Dutchess County's bus system? on Twitter Share I live on 9W and rely on the bus (do not drive) to get to Poughkeepsie for work. I have trouble catching the bus back to Kingston so I can go back home. Is there a plan to coordinate better with Dutchess County's bus system? on Linkedin Email I live on 9W and rely on the bus (do not drive) to get to Poughkeepsie for work. I have trouble catching the bus back to Kingston so I can go back home. Is there a plan to coordinate better with Dutchess County's bus system? link

    I live on 9W and rely on the bus (do not drive) to get to Poughkeepsie for work. I have trouble catching the bus back to Kingston so I can go back home. Is there a plan to coordinate better with Dutchess County's bus system?

    Alex asked 22 days ago

    Thanks for your question.  Right now, UCAT strives to coordinate service to Poughkeepsie with MetroNorth schedules.  If there are other connections that you like to make when you arrive in Poughkeepsie, please let us know.

  • Share Can you please include a stop on the Z route for the new location of the Woodstock library, on Dixon Road in Woodstock? on Facebook Share Can you please include a stop on the Z route for the new location of the Woodstock library, on Dixon Road in Woodstock? on Twitter Share Can you please include a stop on the Z route for the new location of the Woodstock library, on Dixon Road in Woodstock? on Linkedin Email Can you please include a stop on the Z route for the new location of the Woodstock library, on Dixon Road in Woodstock? link

    Can you please include a stop on the Z route for the new location of the Woodstock library, on Dixon Road in Woodstock?

    Justin F asked 16 days ago

    Thanks for your inquiry...that's a great suggestion. Right now, our route planners are focusing on developing routes and schedules to major destinations. Woodstock is served through "Route 6" on the Preliminary Routes.  As we get closer to new route implementation, specific schedules with individual destinations will be made available to the public.  If your preferred destination isn't included in the initial route, it can be requested and considered by UCAT's managers and dispatch staff, either as a once-off stop or as a regular stop.  

  • Share Are there any plans in place to improve the customer service skills of the individuals answering your dispatch line. I have been in call Center customer service for 30 years and I would never speak to my callers as your dispatchers do. I have personally called for assistance a few times and have been treated with a condesending attitude as if I am bothering them. I hear the same complaints from other riders. I only call when I can't get a clear direction from the app or website. on Facebook Share Are there any plans in place to improve the customer service skills of the individuals answering your dispatch line. I have been in call Center customer service for 30 years and I would never speak to my callers as your dispatchers do. I have personally called for assistance a few times and have been treated with a condesending attitude as if I am bothering them. I hear the same complaints from other riders. I only call when I can't get a clear direction from the app or website. on Twitter Share Are there any plans in place to improve the customer service skills of the individuals answering your dispatch line. I have been in call Center customer service for 30 years and I would never speak to my callers as your dispatchers do. I have personally called for assistance a few times and have been treated with a condesending attitude as if I am bothering them. I hear the same complaints from other riders. I only call when I can't get a clear direction from the app or website. on Linkedin Email Are there any plans in place to improve the customer service skills of the individuals answering your dispatch line. I have been in call Center customer service for 30 years and I would never speak to my callers as your dispatchers do. I have personally called for assistance a few times and have been treated with a condesending attitude as if I am bothering them. I hear the same complaints from other riders. I only call when I can't get a clear direction from the app or website. link

    Are there any plans in place to improve the customer service skills of the individuals answering your dispatch line. I have been in call Center customer service for 30 years and I would never speak to my callers as your dispatchers do. I have personally called for assistance a few times and have been treated with a condesending attitude as if I am bothering them. I hear the same complaints from other riders. I only call when I can't get a clear direction from the app or website.

    CSF61 asked 28 days ago

    Thank you for your comment.  Ulster County Government strives for customer satisfaction at all levels of interaction with the public.  Improving the customer experience is an underlying goal of the Route Optimization Plan.  The Ulster County Executive's Office and UCAT have been made aware of your concerns.

  • Share Will there be more stops to pick up people at Rodeway Inn in New Paltz? There isn’t enough stops at the Rodeway Inn. Most of the time you are drop off at Stewart’s and have to wait 1 hr 45 minutes for another bus to take you to be drop off at the Rodeway. Will there be more buses be able to go on this route? on Facebook Share Will there be more stops to pick up people at Rodeway Inn in New Paltz? There isn’t enough stops at the Rodeway Inn. Most of the time you are drop off at Stewart’s and have to wait 1 hr 45 minutes for another bus to take you to be drop off at the Rodeway. Will there be more buses be able to go on this route? on Twitter Share Will there be more stops to pick up people at Rodeway Inn in New Paltz? There isn’t enough stops at the Rodeway Inn. Most of the time you are drop off at Stewart’s and have to wait 1 hr 45 minutes for another bus to take you to be drop off at the Rodeway. Will there be more buses be able to go on this route? on Linkedin Email Will there be more stops to pick up people at Rodeway Inn in New Paltz? There isn’t enough stops at the Rodeway Inn. Most of the time you are drop off at Stewart’s and have to wait 1 hr 45 minutes for another bus to take you to be drop off at the Rodeway. Will there be more buses be able to go on this route? link

    Will there be more stops to pick up people at Rodeway Inn in New Paltz? There isn’t enough stops at the Rodeway Inn. Most of the time you are drop off at Stewart’s and have to wait 1 hr 45 minutes for another bus to take you to be drop off at the Rodeway. Will there be more buses be able to go on this route?

    Chris asked about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your comment. The location that you've identified would be served by a future "Route 9" as shown on the Preliminary Route Profile Maps.  Service frequency is currently proposed as 150 minutes during weekdays.

  • Share None of the scenarios for any of the routes include pathways for improved service if solutions are found for specific challenges/constraints/gaps (e.g., funding, driver shortages). Would it be possible to include such scenarios for a menu of service improvement options (e.g., weekend/Sunday service, greater frequencies, schedule frequencies during driver lunch breaks)? on Facebook Share None of the scenarios for any of the routes include pathways for improved service if solutions are found for specific challenges/constraints/gaps (e.g., funding, driver shortages). Would it be possible to include such scenarios for a menu of service improvement options (e.g., weekend/Sunday service, greater frequencies, schedule frequencies during driver lunch breaks)? on Twitter Share None of the scenarios for any of the routes include pathways for improved service if solutions are found for specific challenges/constraints/gaps (e.g., funding, driver shortages). Would it be possible to include such scenarios for a menu of service improvement options (e.g., weekend/Sunday service, greater frequencies, schedule frequencies during driver lunch breaks)? on Linkedin Email None of the scenarios for any of the routes include pathways for improved service if solutions are found for specific challenges/constraints/gaps (e.g., funding, driver shortages). Would it be possible to include such scenarios for a menu of service improvement options (e.g., weekend/Sunday service, greater frequencies, schedule frequencies during driver lunch breaks)? link

    None of the scenarios for any of the routes include pathways for improved service if solutions are found for specific challenges/constraints/gaps (e.g., funding, driver shortages). Would it be possible to include such scenarios for a menu of service improvement options (e.g., weekend/Sunday service, greater frequencies, schedule frequencies during driver lunch breaks)?

    Resilient Ulster County asked 9 months ago

    We'll endeavor to take these additional services into account as we develop revised scenarios for implementation.  At a minimum they can be listed as recommendations for policy makers going forward. 

  • Share You ask about more information, and offer yes or no: best practices suggest "not at this time" The Blue Line covers some great area but the transit time and interarrival time it way too long. We want a shuttle bus to build on existing "quorum" stops, where people are already there and can hop and off. The Blue Line is something else. The KCor Shuttle transit and interarrival times carry people on Kingston's Main Street (re: Main Street Manager Program). That's a three mile backbone of the city... appendages could follow. So very very much that happens in Kingston happens on the KCor. If you add a block or two walk perpendicular to the Corridor, there are more wonderful places. So much to say about what the Kingston Corridor could do for the people of Kingston and the city! there is literally too much to say! :-) Love to have you on board. on Facebook Share You ask about more information, and offer yes or no: best practices suggest "not at this time" The Blue Line covers some great area but the transit time and interarrival time it way too long. We want a shuttle bus to build on existing "quorum" stops, where people are already there and can hop and off. The Blue Line is something else. The KCor Shuttle transit and interarrival times carry people on Kingston's Main Street (re: Main Street Manager Program). That's a three mile backbone of the city... appendages could follow. So very very much that happens in Kingston happens on the KCor. If you add a block or two walk perpendicular to the Corridor, there are more wonderful places. So much to say about what the Kingston Corridor could do for the people of Kingston and the city! there is literally too much to say! :-) Love to have you on board. on Twitter Share You ask about more information, and offer yes or no: best practices suggest "not at this time" The Blue Line covers some great area but the transit time and interarrival time it way too long. We want a shuttle bus to build on existing "quorum" stops, where people are already there and can hop and off. The Blue Line is something else. The KCor Shuttle transit and interarrival times carry people on Kingston's Main Street (re: Main Street Manager Program). That's a three mile backbone of the city... appendages could follow. So very very much that happens in Kingston happens on the KCor. If you add a block or two walk perpendicular to the Corridor, there are more wonderful places. So much to say about what the Kingston Corridor could do for the people of Kingston and the city! there is literally too much to say! :-) Love to have you on board. on Linkedin Email You ask about more information, and offer yes or no: best practices suggest "not at this time" The Blue Line covers some great area but the transit time and interarrival time it way too long. We want a shuttle bus to build on existing "quorum" stops, where people are already there and can hop and off. The Blue Line is something else. The KCor Shuttle transit and interarrival times carry people on Kingston's Main Street (re: Main Street Manager Program). That's a three mile backbone of the city... appendages could follow. So very very much that happens in Kingston happens on the KCor. If you add a block or two walk perpendicular to the Corridor, there are more wonderful places. So much to say about what the Kingston Corridor could do for the people of Kingston and the city! there is literally too much to say! :-) Love to have you on board. link

    You ask about more information, and offer yes or no: best practices suggest "not at this time" The Blue Line covers some great area but the transit time and interarrival time it way too long. We want a shuttle bus to build on existing "quorum" stops, where people are already there and can hop and off. The Blue Line is something else. The KCor Shuttle transit and interarrival times carry people on Kingston's Main Street (re: Main Street Manager Program). That's a three mile backbone of the city... appendages could follow. So very very much that happens in Kingston happens on the KCor. If you add a block or two walk perpendicular to the Corridor, there are more wonderful places. So much to say about what the Kingston Corridor could do for the people of Kingston and the city! there is literally too much to say! :-) Love to have you on board.

    kingston corridor shuttle bus asked 9 months ago

    The proposed service routes have been consolidated to run on fewer corridors, but the proposals continue to focus on providing population-dense areas with access to essential services and key destinations (grocery shopping, government services, etc). The proposed Route 2 could provide 30 minute service frequency during peak hours under Scenario B.  Broadway, for example, is also interlined with Routes 3, 4, 7, & 10

  • Share Do you have any thoughts on recommendations to address the driver shortage, such as creating a task force? Thank you. on Facebook Share Do you have any thoughts on recommendations to address the driver shortage, such as creating a task force? Thank you. on Twitter Share Do you have any thoughts on recommendations to address the driver shortage, such as creating a task force? Thank you. on Linkedin Email Do you have any thoughts on recommendations to address the driver shortage, such as creating a task force? Thank you. link

    Do you have any thoughts on recommendations to address the driver shortage, such as creating a task force? Thank you.

    Ella Ray asked 9 months ago

    Driver shortage is a consistent challenge experienced by bus companies throughout the United States right now.  For this study, the nature of our recommendations is limited to how the service can be designed that may appeal to drivers more and increase retention (like how in Scenario 2 would have more opportunities for shorter shifts). A task force is a good recommendation, but with the understanding that a lot of the issues with driver shortages are beyond UCAT/UCTC's control.

  • Share Who determines the scope of the study and could it be expanded to consider various scenarios for a more robust system, I.e. with high frequency routes in denser areas, and service on weekends and holidays? on Facebook Share Who determines the scope of the study and could it be expanded to consider various scenarios for a more robust system, I.e. with high frequency routes in denser areas, and service on weekends and holidays? on Twitter Share Who determines the scope of the study and could it be expanded to consider various scenarios for a more robust system, I.e. with high frequency routes in denser areas, and service on weekends and holidays? on Linkedin Email Who determines the scope of the study and could it be expanded to consider various scenarios for a more robust system, I.e. with high frequency routes in denser areas, and service on weekends and holidays? link

    Who determines the scope of the study and could it be expanded to consider various scenarios for a more robust system, I.e. with high frequency routes in denser areas, and service on weekends and holidays?

    Ella Ray asked 9 months ago

    The scope of the study was developed through a collaborative process between UCTC, UCAT, and the Ulster County Executive’s Office.  The current scenarios presented include a 25% increase in county investment to achieve the service coverage and frequency described.  A 25% increase in expenditure is a hypothetical and ambitious financial goal; these additional resources are quickly absorbed as we try to provide transit access throughout the county. In the past, Ulster County municipalities that wanted additional transit service have paid additional dollars of their own to receive those services, which could be considered.

  • Share Is there consideration to connect UCAT service with additional major employment centers in the region (e.g., Rhinebeck, Albany, Bard College)? Some of the distances aren't much further than the longest routes in the proposed scenarios and could be a major force for access to economic opportunities. on Facebook Share Is there consideration to connect UCAT service with additional major employment centers in the region (e.g., Rhinebeck, Albany, Bard College)? Some of the distances aren't much further than the longest routes in the proposed scenarios and could be a major force for access to economic opportunities. on Twitter Share Is there consideration to connect UCAT service with additional major employment centers in the region (e.g., Rhinebeck, Albany, Bard College)? Some of the distances aren't much further than the longest routes in the proposed scenarios and could be a major force for access to economic opportunities. on Linkedin Email Is there consideration to connect UCAT service with additional major employment centers in the region (e.g., Rhinebeck, Albany, Bard College)? Some of the distances aren't much further than the longest routes in the proposed scenarios and could be a major force for access to economic opportunities. link

    Is there consideration to connect UCAT service with additional major employment centers in the region (e.g., Rhinebeck, Albany, Bard College)? Some of the distances aren't much further than the longest routes in the proposed scenarios and could be a major force for access to economic opportunities.

    Resilient Ulster County asked 9 months ago

    While we’re collecting input on destinations not currently served, the initial route recommendations do not expand the service to the destinations you’ve listed here.  Also keep in mind that UCAT is the only regional public transit provider that has operational authority outside of Ulster County, which it uses to connect to Newburgh and Poughkeepsie.

  • Share Would it be possible to include real time digital displays at UCAT stops for when the next buses are expected similar to CDTA in the Capital Region (using Soofa digital displays)? on Facebook Share Would it be possible to include real time digital displays at UCAT stops for when the next buses are expected similar to CDTA in the Capital Region (using Soofa digital displays)? on Twitter Share Would it be possible to include real time digital displays at UCAT stops for when the next buses are expected similar to CDTA in the Capital Region (using Soofa digital displays)? on Linkedin Email Would it be possible to include real time digital displays at UCAT stops for when the next buses are expected similar to CDTA in the Capital Region (using Soofa digital displays)? link

    Would it be possible to include real time digital displays at UCAT stops for when the next buses are expected similar to CDTA in the Capital Region (using Soofa digital displays)?

    Resilient Ulster County asked 9 months ago

    Yes; the study includes a full inventory and analysis of UCAT software systems currently in use and will evaluate state of the art proprietary systems for compatibility.  The purpose is to understand which software systems are best suited for UCAT’s needs and to consider how new options, such as routing and scheduling capabilities (including for microtransit), real time notification systems, mobile apps, and fare collection systems may be integrated for future use. Displays such as those that you reference would represent an additional capital expense and require maintenance. 

Page last updated: 25 Aug 2025, 04:39 PM