POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County’s public transit system, like many across the country, saw a steep decline in ridership during the pandemic but riders are returning, according to county officials. Annual ridership on the countywide bus system was just over 680,000 passengers in 2022 and is on target to reach 800,000 in 2023. Ridership on county buses is up 21 percent over the same period in 2022.
In 2019, the Dutchess County bus system experienced record ridership, carrying almost 846,000 passengers to destinations throughout the county.
The pandemic is still affecting ridership, according to officials who say many employers have shifted to remote work for employees. “Public transit agencies suffered catastrophic blows to ridership when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in March 2020,” American Public Transportation Association President APTA President and CEO Paul Skoutelas said in September 2022. “Systems saw significant declines in ridership as offices closed and Americans were urged to work from home for extended periods.”
Some employees and riders have told Mid-Hudson News that the county plans to change specific routes soon. When asked about changes, county officials said that routes and schedules are evaluated continuously and are also part of the annual budget review process. Any changes to routes or schedules require a 30-day notice to passengers.
Not all passengers who use the bus system through the transportation hub in the City of Poughkeepsie are pleased with the terminal. “There are a number of people that hang around here drinking, smoking, and sleeping in the bus shelters,” said rider Paul Matthews. “The cops come through and clean things up but they can’t be here all day and night.”
A rider who asked only to be identified by her first name, Tamara, pointed to a woman sleeping in a wheelchair and said, “That lady is always hanging out here and partying with the others but never gets on a bus. When I get off the bus after a hard day at work, the first thing I get to see is her friends hanging out and her sleeping. It’s frustrating.”
Information on Dutchess County’s bus system, including the route maps and fares can be found here.
