UCAT Route Optimization Plan

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UCAT Route Optimization Plan


This project has been completed. All previous public information session slides and recordings can be viewed by following the links on the window to the right. For more information, contact Brian Slack, Principal Transportation Planner, at bsla@ulstercountyny.gov

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

UCAT Route Optimization Plan


This project has been completed. All previous public information session slides and recordings can be viewed by following the links on the window to the right. For more information, contact Brian Slack, Principal Transportation Planner, at bsla@ulstercountyny.gov

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
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Take some disable citizens and kids and walk with them to the bus stops from their homes and then to needed facilities ect and then decide on routes. I know from Robert grave’s elementary school for me to pick my daughter up (I’m disabled and cannot drive due to that and we have to take housing where we can get it which isn’t necessarily near a bus route) and get to Kingston plaza right off the bat it’s almost a two hour trip requiring Miles of walking on roads without shoulders or sidewalks and having to cross busy 9w, so I have to spend $30 in uber instead. Saturday there’s no service to Rosendale so you have to pay for Trailways… to get to most doctors appointments even just 3 miles away across town takes hours and lots of walking and transfers. Just start google mapping via public transport the trip time alone to most doctors offices in the county from different homes, for most people it’s completely in accessible. And in the town of ulster there’s no safe pedestrian crossings from one shopping plaza to another across ulster ave/ 9w and definitely no safe or ada accessible pedestrian walkways to Walmart/target ect. How are these issues addressed? on Facebook Share Take some disable citizens and kids and walk with them to the bus stops from their homes and then to needed facilities ect and then decide on routes. I know from Robert grave’s elementary school for me to pick my daughter up (I’m disabled and cannot drive due to that and we have to take housing where we can get it which isn’t necessarily near a bus route) and get to Kingston plaza right off the bat it’s almost a two hour trip requiring Miles of walking on roads without shoulders or sidewalks and having to cross busy 9w, so I have to spend $30 in uber instead. Saturday there’s no service to Rosendale so you have to pay for Trailways… to get to most doctors appointments even just 3 miles away across town takes hours and lots of walking and transfers. Just start google mapping via public transport the trip time alone to most doctors offices in the county from different homes, for most people it’s completely in accessible. And in the town of ulster there’s no safe pedestrian crossings from one shopping plaza to another across ulster ave/ 9w and definitely no safe or ada accessible pedestrian walkways to Walmart/target ect. How are these issues addressed? on Twitter Share Take some disable citizens and kids and walk with them to the bus stops from their homes and then to needed facilities ect and then decide on routes. I know from Robert grave’s elementary school for me to pick my daughter up (I’m disabled and cannot drive due to that and we have to take housing where we can get it which isn’t necessarily near a bus route) and get to Kingston plaza right off the bat it’s almost a two hour trip requiring Miles of walking on roads without shoulders or sidewalks and having to cross busy 9w, so I have to spend $30 in uber instead. Saturday there’s no service to Rosendale so you have to pay for Trailways… to get to most doctors appointments even just 3 miles away across town takes hours and lots of walking and transfers. Just start google mapping via public transport the trip time alone to most doctors offices in the county from different homes, for most people it’s completely in accessible. And in the town of ulster there’s no safe pedestrian crossings from one shopping plaza to another across ulster ave/ 9w and definitely no safe or ada accessible pedestrian walkways to Walmart/target ect. How are these issues addressed? on Linkedin Email Take some disable citizens and kids and walk with them to the bus stops from their homes and then to needed facilities ect and then decide on routes. I know from Robert grave’s elementary school for me to pick my daughter up (I’m disabled and cannot drive due to that and we have to take housing where we can get it which isn’t necessarily near a bus route) and get to Kingston plaza right off the bat it’s almost a two hour trip requiring Miles of walking on roads without shoulders or sidewalks and having to cross busy 9w, so I have to spend $30 in uber instead. Saturday there’s no service to Rosendale so you have to pay for Trailways… to get to most doctors appointments even just 3 miles away across town takes hours and lots of walking and transfers. Just start google mapping via public transport the trip time alone to most doctors offices in the county from different homes, for most people it’s completely in accessible. And in the town of ulster there’s no safe pedestrian crossings from one shopping plaza to another across ulster ave/ 9w and definitely no safe or ada accessible pedestrian walkways to Walmart/target ect. How are these issues addressed? link

    Take some disable citizens and kids and walk with them to the bus stops from their homes and then to needed facilities ect and then decide on routes. I know from Robert grave’s elementary school for me to pick my daughter up (I’m disabled and cannot drive due to that and we have to take housing where we can get it which isn’t necessarily near a bus route) and get to Kingston plaza right off the bat it’s almost a two hour trip requiring Miles of walking on roads without shoulders or sidewalks and having to cross busy 9w, so I have to spend $30 in uber instead. Saturday there’s no service to Rosendale so you have to pay for Trailways… to get to most doctors appointments even just 3 miles away across town takes hours and lots of walking and transfers. Just start google mapping via public transport the trip time alone to most doctors offices in the county from different homes, for most people it’s completely in accessible. And in the town of ulster there’s no safe pedestrian crossings from one shopping plaza to another across ulster ave/ 9w and definitely no safe or ada accessible pedestrian walkways to Walmart/target ect. How are these issues addressed?

    Oddlyominous asked about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your comment.  More than any other factor, density determines the effectiveness and efficiency of public transportation. Places with higher concentrations of people and/or jobs tend to have higher transit ridership. The transit potential of an area can be assessed by examining both the population and employment densities of an area individually and as a combined measure. Even so, given the size of Ulster County and its rural nature, some locations with medium density will fall just outside of our ability to provide regular transit service.  Regarding Ulster Ave, a previous UCTC study focusing on that area provided recommendations to the town and NYSDOT for pedestrian safety and shared access to adjoining lots.  Given that many of these lots were approved by the Town of Ulster decades ago, it will take some time to address these deficiencies. Visit https://uctc.ulstercountyny.gov/projects/route-9w-cmp/ to learn more about the Route 9W Mobility Plan.

  • Share I am curious whether there's a bus route that goes to the unhoused areas in the area and the county. Many unhoused don't even have refrigerators or stoves for healthy eating in the places they're put in.... it's deplorable. So I dint see stops along, e.g., Rte 28 W by the motel at Skytop. Can you answer that and if they do have a bus route, how often do they go there? Thanks. 😊 on Facebook Share I am curious whether there's a bus route that goes to the unhoused areas in the area and the county. Many unhoused don't even have refrigerators or stoves for healthy eating in the places they're put in.... it's deplorable. So I dint see stops along, e.g., Rte 28 W by the motel at Skytop. Can you answer that and if they do have a bus route, how often do they go there? Thanks. 😊 on Twitter Share I am curious whether there's a bus route that goes to the unhoused areas in the area and the county. Many unhoused don't even have refrigerators or stoves for healthy eating in the places they're put in.... it's deplorable. So I dint see stops along, e.g., Rte 28 W by the motel at Skytop. Can you answer that and if they do have a bus route, how often do they go there? Thanks. 😊 on Linkedin Email I am curious whether there's a bus route that goes to the unhoused areas in the area and the county. Many unhoused don't even have refrigerators or stoves for healthy eating in the places they're put in.... it's deplorable. So I dint see stops along, e.g., Rte 28 W by the motel at Skytop. Can you answer that and if they do have a bus route, how often do they go there? Thanks. 😊 link

    I am curious whether there's a bus route that goes to the unhoused areas in the area and the county. Many unhoused don't even have refrigerators or stoves for healthy eating in the places they're put in.... it's deplorable. So I dint see stops along, e.g., Rte 28 W by the motel at Skytop. Can you answer that and if they do have a bus route, how often do they go there? Thanks. 😊

    Imashroomer asked about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your comment.  The proposed 6 route - Woodstock to Kingston - would serve Skytop.  All Ulster County emergency housing locations that currently have UCAT service will continue to have service.  You can view those locations through a separate UCTC study called the "Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan."  Visit https://uctc.ulstercountyny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Ulster-Co-HSTP-092524-V792.pdf#page=29.

  • Share Hello, I work at the Stone Ridge library and I am interested in learning more about the process of establishing a bus stop at the library. Is there a specific person we should reach out to? Thanks ! on Facebook Share Hello, I work at the Stone Ridge library and I am interested in learning more about the process of establishing a bus stop at the library. Is there a specific person we should reach out to? Thanks ! on Twitter Share Hello, I work at the Stone Ridge library and I am interested in learning more about the process of establishing a bus stop at the library. Is there a specific person we should reach out to? Thanks ! on Linkedin Email Hello, I work at the Stone Ridge library and I am interested in learning more about the process of establishing a bus stop at the library. Is there a specific person we should reach out to? Thanks ! link

    Hello, I work at the Stone Ridge library and I am interested in learning more about the process of establishing a bus stop at the library. Is there a specific person we should reach out to? Thanks !

    jodi asked about 2 months ago

    Yes, please reach out directory to Ulster County Area Transit staff.  You can find their contact information at https://ucat.ulstercountyny.gov/about-ucat/

  • Share Are there any changes to Mall Loop. If so what are changes? on Facebook Share Are there any changes to Mall Loop. If so what are changes? on Twitter Share Are there any changes to Mall Loop. If so what are changes? on Linkedin Email Are there any changes to Mall Loop. If so what are changes? link

    Are there any changes to Mall Loop. If so what are changes?

    Sandybus.com asked 2 months ago

    Yes, you can see those changes reflected in Route 1.  The route would be adjusted to provide more service area coverage along Albany/Ulster Avenue, including a connection to Development Court to connect to other routes serving Saugerties and Kingston, as well as a connection to Colonia Gardens and Stuyvesant Charter Apartments.  The service frequency time is expected to be about the same -- 1 hour - and all of the major commercial/retail destinations would continue to be served.  At this time, the proposed new service would no longer stop at IPark87/BOCES.  

  • Share It has been stated that the Route Optimization Plan will be "funded in part by 25% of annual occupancy tax revenues, matched by federal funds" (https://youtu.be/zEaYH0pJ-gE?si=4qLMa30GCvZppU16&t=134). What is the anticipated occupancy tax revenue for 2025? How does the County obtain matching funds from the feds? on Facebook Share It has been stated that the Route Optimization Plan will be "funded in part by 25% of annual occupancy tax revenues, matched by federal funds" (https://youtu.be/zEaYH0pJ-gE?si=4qLMa30GCvZppU16&t=134). What is the anticipated occupancy tax revenue for 2025? How does the County obtain matching funds from the feds? on Twitter Share It has been stated that the Route Optimization Plan will be "funded in part by 25% of annual occupancy tax revenues, matched by federal funds" (https://youtu.be/zEaYH0pJ-gE?si=4qLMa30GCvZppU16&t=134). What is the anticipated occupancy tax revenue for 2025? How does the County obtain matching funds from the feds? on Linkedin Email It has been stated that the Route Optimization Plan will be "funded in part by 25% of annual occupancy tax revenues, matched by federal funds" (https://youtu.be/zEaYH0pJ-gE?si=4qLMa30GCvZppU16&t=134). What is the anticipated occupancy tax revenue for 2025? How does the County obtain matching funds from the feds? link

    It has been stated that the Route Optimization Plan will be "funded in part by 25% of annual occupancy tax revenues, matched by federal funds" (https://youtu.be/zEaYH0pJ-gE?si=4qLMa30GCvZppU16&t=134). What is the anticipated occupancy tax revenue for 2025? How does the County obtain matching funds from the feds?

    Tanya G asked 2 months ago

    The County, by resolution, committed to utilizing 25 % of the additional revenue generated  from the increase in the occupancy tax to help fund transit services in the County.   Questions regarding this anticipated revenue stream should be submitted to the Ulster County Department of Budget.  UCAT receives federal FTA formula funds on an annual basis. 

  • Share Hello, It is very difficult to calculate bus frequency on the Broadway Corridor in Kingston from the Updated Recommendations for UCAT's Route Optimization Plan. Can the Updated Recommendations be updated to include bus frequency for this corridor, not just for the individual bus routes? on Facebook Share Hello, It is very difficult to calculate bus frequency on the Broadway Corridor in Kingston from the Updated Recommendations for UCAT's Route Optimization Plan. Can the Updated Recommendations be updated to include bus frequency for this corridor, not just for the individual bus routes? on Twitter Share Hello, It is very difficult to calculate bus frequency on the Broadway Corridor in Kingston from the Updated Recommendations for UCAT's Route Optimization Plan. Can the Updated Recommendations be updated to include bus frequency for this corridor, not just for the individual bus routes? on Linkedin Email Hello, It is very difficult to calculate bus frequency on the Broadway Corridor in Kingston from the Updated Recommendations for UCAT's Route Optimization Plan. Can the Updated Recommendations be updated to include bus frequency for this corridor, not just for the individual bus routes? link

    Hello, It is very difficult to calculate bus frequency on the Broadway Corridor in Kingston from the Updated Recommendations for UCAT's Route Optimization Plan. Can the Updated Recommendations be updated to include bus frequency for this corridor, not just for the individual bus routes?

    Philip Schoettle-Greene asked 2 months ago

    Sure; we'll provide clarification at next week's meeting and include it in the final draft report.  There are four proposed routes that travel on Broadway: the 2 & 4 would travel between Albany Ave and Grand and the 7&10 would travel between Albany and Garraghan Drive.  The 2 would have 24 one-directional trips; the 4 would have 32 one-directional trips, the 7 would have 12 one-directional trips; and the 10 would have 32 one-directional trips.  So if the plan is fully implemented, Broadway would see up to 100 bus trips during the weekday.

  • Share The 2017 Transit Systems Integration Plan proposed double the fixed route trips on weekdays (to 65 trips from Citibus' 33 trips) plus on demand service in 4 areas (including Wilbur) in Kingston. In the end, none of that came to pass. What's different this time around? on Facebook Share The 2017 Transit Systems Integration Plan proposed double the fixed route trips on weekdays (to 65 trips from Citibus' 33 trips) plus on demand service in 4 areas (including Wilbur) in Kingston. In the end, none of that came to pass. What's different this time around? on Twitter Share The 2017 Transit Systems Integration Plan proposed double the fixed route trips on weekdays (to 65 trips from Citibus' 33 trips) plus on demand service in 4 areas (including Wilbur) in Kingston. In the end, none of that came to pass. What's different this time around? on Linkedin Email The 2017 Transit Systems Integration Plan proposed double the fixed route trips on weekdays (to 65 trips from Citibus' 33 trips) plus on demand service in 4 areas (including Wilbur) in Kingston. In the end, none of that came to pass. What's different this time around? link

    The 2017 Transit Systems Integration Plan proposed double the fixed route trips on weekdays (to 65 trips from Citibus' 33 trips) plus on demand service in 4 areas (including Wilbur) in Kingston. In the end, none of that came to pass. What's different this time around?

    Tanya G asked 3 months ago

    The planning team behind the integration of Citibus and UCAT systems believed that that process presented both an opportunity and a challenge, which is why the plan set ambitious goals for improving the system.  Ultimately, due to budgetary, staff and technological constraints, implementation of those improvements was postponed.  In February 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic brought a wave of stay-at-home orders that drastically decreased in-person attendance at workplaces, schools, restaurants, and events. As a result, transit ridership decreased 81 percent between April 2019 and April 2020, and 97 percent of the 518 agencies that reported service information to FTA reduced service. This created an enormous challenge for transit agencies, including UCAT.  UCTC is hopeful that UCAT and Ulster County Government will be able to utilize these new recommendations to improve service in the months and years ahead.

  • Share In her 2026 Budget presentation, County Executive Metzer said "We remain committed to increasing service where we have the ridership to support it, and I’m pleased to share that, by popular demand, we will be adding Sunday bus service in Kingston in the coming year.". We learned last November that the bus that will replace the KPL (if UCAT actually implements it) will run more frequently than the KPL/UPL does now on Sundays and will have more identified stops in Kingston. Is this what she is referring to? on Facebook Share In her 2026 Budget presentation, County Executive Metzer said "We remain committed to increasing service where we have the ridership to support it, and I’m pleased to share that, by popular demand, we will be adding Sunday bus service in Kingston in the coming year.". We learned last November that the bus that will replace the KPL (if UCAT actually implements it) will run more frequently than the KPL/UPL does now on Sundays and will have more identified stops in Kingston. Is this what she is referring to? on Twitter Share In her 2026 Budget presentation, County Executive Metzer said "We remain committed to increasing service where we have the ridership to support it, and I’m pleased to share that, by popular demand, we will be adding Sunday bus service in Kingston in the coming year.". We learned last November that the bus that will replace the KPL (if UCAT actually implements it) will run more frequently than the KPL/UPL does now on Sundays and will have more identified stops in Kingston. Is this what she is referring to? on Linkedin Email In her 2026 Budget presentation, County Executive Metzer said "We remain committed to increasing service where we have the ridership to support it, and I’m pleased to share that, by popular demand, we will be adding Sunday bus service in Kingston in the coming year.". We learned last November that the bus that will replace the KPL (if UCAT actually implements it) will run more frequently than the KPL/UPL does now on Sundays and will have more identified stops in Kingston. Is this what she is referring to? link

    In her 2026 Budget presentation, County Executive Metzer said "We remain committed to increasing service where we have the ridership to support it, and I’m pleased to share that, by popular demand, we will be adding Sunday bus service in Kingston in the coming year.". We learned last November that the bus that will replace the KPL (if UCAT actually implements it) will run more frequently than the KPL/UPL does now on Sundays and will have more identified stops in Kingston. Is this what she is referring to?

    Tanya G asked 3 months ago

    Feel free to contact the Ulster County Executive's Office regarding her 2026 budget address. https://www.ulstercountyny.gov/Departments/County-Executive

  • Share Good day, Since UCAT has already made significant changes to all schedules, will the ROP- still take place and if so, will it still be presented this month? John Latona on Facebook Share Good day, Since UCAT has already made significant changes to all schedules, will the ROP- still take place and if so, will it still be presented this month? John Latona on Twitter Share Good day, Since UCAT has already made significant changes to all schedules, will the ROP- still take place and if so, will it still be presented this month? John Latona on Linkedin Email Good day, Since UCAT has already made significant changes to all schedules, will the ROP- still take place and if so, will it still be presented this month? John Latona link

    Good day, Since UCAT has already made significant changes to all schedules, will the ROP- still take place and if so, will it still be presented this month? John Latona

    JohnAL asked 3 months ago

    Yes; public meetings are currently being arranged to take place on November 6.  Expect an announcement this week!

  • Share can we get more midday stops in rosendale (to/from kingston and/or new paltz)? especially during the summer and weekends? on Facebook Share can we get more midday stops in rosendale (to/from kingston and/or new paltz)? especially during the summer and weekends? on Twitter Share can we get more midday stops in rosendale (to/from kingston and/or new paltz)? especially during the summer and weekends? on Linkedin Email can we get more midday stops in rosendale (to/from kingston and/or new paltz)? especially during the summer and weekends? link

    can we get more midday stops in rosendale (to/from kingston and/or new paltz)? especially during the summer and weekends?

    dbliss asked 4 months ago

    Thanks for your comment. A presentation regarding proposed route changes will be scheduled for later in October 2025; we look forward to presenting potential schedule options for Rosendale then.  

Page last updated: 31 Dec 2025, 03:01 PM