KINGSTON – In an effort to save Ulster County residents money, the county legislature Tuesday night approved waiving the fares on the Ulster County Area Transit system.
Not everyone agreed with the idea.
Republican Minority Leader Ken Ronk of Shawangunk said his southern Ulster town gets little benefit from UCAT right now.
“I respect where the desire comes to eliminate fares on UCAT. I think it’s a benefit to certain residents of the county and not others,” he said.
Ronk said his town sees only one bus early in the morning and another late in the afternoon.
Legislator Eve Walter, a New Paltz Democrat, said waiving the fares will have more than one benefit for riders.
“This gives us the opportunity to actually increase ridership in a way that we never really considered before, and I do believe that the increase of ridership will result in an increase in routes,” she said.
The vote to eliminate fares was along party lines with majority Democrats approving it and Republicans opposing it.
“We’re all feeling the pressure due to rising costs, especially our lower income communities, vulnerable populations, and seniors on fixed incomes. At a time when every bill and receipt is higher, Ulster County is stepping up and taking aggressive action to provide urgent relief to our residents. Reducing transportation costs will allow people to have one less thing to worry about,” said County Executive Pat Ryan.
