Free bus rides boost UCAT passenger numbers – Daily Freeman

A UCAT bus is parked at the Hannaford store at Kingston Plaza in Kingston, New York, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. (Tania Barricklo/Daily Freeman)

KINGSTON, NY — Ridership on Ulster County Area Transit buses increased sharply in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in the previous two years, statistics show.

The increase in the number of travellers is greatest from six months in 2022, compared to the same period in 2024.

In August 2022, the Ulster County Legislature voted to make UCAT bus travel free. Before the free bus policy was implemented, ridership was 132,753 between January and June 2022.

During the same period in 2024, the number of passengers was 251,573, or 118,820 more passengers than in the first six months of 2022, an increase of 89.5%. Passenger numbers in 2024 are on track to surpass the total for the whole of 2022, which totaled 296,257.

The passenger numbers for the six months of 2024 are also much higher than the first six months of 2023, which were 193,236. The increase in passenger numbers compared to last year was 58,337, or 30.2% more.

UCAT statistics show that 436,026 free rides were given on UCAT buses throughout 2023, 139,769 more than the 296,257 rides recorded in 2022, an increase of 47.2%.

On August 17, 2022, the Democratic-controlled Ulster County Legislature voted 16-7 to make the bus free to riders. All Republicans voted against the measure.

U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan, D-Gardiner, who represents the 18th Congressional District, was county executive at the time. The free rides went into effect on Oct. 1, 2022.

It was reported that ticket sales revenue steadily declined from $409,640 in 2015 to $163,272 in 2021.

The loss of revenue from bus tickets is compensated by the surplus of the provincial fund, which is financed by taxpayers. As a result, the bus journey is subsidized by the province.

Under the decision to abolish bus fares, the state governments and the federal government will fund 75% of UCAT’s operations.

Ulster County Administrator Jen Metzger said the increase in travelers is good for UCAT’s business.

“Increasing ridership is great for UCAT’s bottom line, since state funding for public transit is tied to ridership, but more importantly, it’s great for our people and our economy,” Metzger said. “Providing affordable access to bus service increases educational and employment opportunities for those without their own transportation, promotes independence for seniors who no longer drive, and contributes to our ongoing efforts to reduce harmful emissions and ease congestion.”