Ulster County Announces UCAT Service Changes Starting September 10

KINGSTON, NY — Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) will roll out a series of service changes on Wednesday, September 10, at 5 a.m., aimed at improving efficiency, reducing delays, and better meeting community needs. The adjustments are part of UCAT’s ongoing Route Optimization Plan.

“We’ve listened closely to riders, operators, and community partners, and these changes reflect their priorities — making transit more reliable, efficient, and responsive to community needs,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “We understand that any change to transit service can feel disruptive, and we appreciate our riders’ flexibility and patience during this transitional time.”

Key changes include:

More Service Between Kingston, New Paltz, and Newburgh — Updates to the X Route and the CL (College Loop) will add five trips per day to Newburgh and 6.5 more trips per day between New Paltz and Kingston.

Faster Trips Between Ellenville and Kingston— The EU Route will be reconfigured and renamed the E Route with two 8-hour shifts (E AM and E PM), replacing the 10-hour U shift. The CL Route will connect with the E Route, shortening travel times to Ellenville and improving access for rural riders.

Yellow and T Route Merger in Kingston— These routes will combine to serve the Kingston Inn and City of Kingston. Port Ewen service will move to the KPL Route, with transfers available at Garraghan Drive and Development Court.

Fixed Schedule Service in New Paltz — New Paltz-area service will now be provided by the KPL, UPL, and CL Routes, offering more accurate arrival and departure times. The NPL Route will be discontinued.

Expanded ADA Paratransit— UCAT will increase paratransit service from three to five vehicles daily to better meet ride requests for riders with disabilities.

UCAT has also been working to address staffing shortages. According to the county, all but one full-time driver position is now filled. County Executive Metzger will propose converting several part-time positions to full-time in the 2026 budget to further stabilize operations. Once in place, all weekday routes will be staffed by full-time drivers, with three “floaters” available to cover absences.

To further improve the rider experience, UCAT has hired two bus stewards who will assist passengers, provide information, de-escalate conflicts, and support drivers on key routes.

“These strategic adjustments are about strengthening system reliability, supporting our drivers, and improving the experience for our riders,” said UCAT Director Toni Roser. “We’re committed to making public transit work better for Ulster County.”

Officials stressed that only the listed changes will take effect on September 10. “No other routes or schedules will be impacted at this time,” the release stated. Updates will be posted on the UCAT website, UCAT buses, and the UCAT Facebook page.

The Route Optimization Plan is being conducted in partnership with the Ulster County Transportation Council and shaped by public feedback. More information is available at participate.ulstercountyny.gov/ucat-route-plan