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Saugerties Times - Featured Arts | 11/19/2009 |
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Bus Boost
League of Women Voters, UCAT discuss impending increase in Saugerties bus service |
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| | A UCAT bus prepares to pick up riders at the Saugerties Post Office. | |
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by Polly McCravey
While the schedule isn't quite set in stone, and the pricing and stops could change, one thing is certain: there will be a lot more Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) buses rolling through Saugerties beginning February 1, 2010.
The Saugerties League of Women Voters, which picks a different issue to work on each year, chose to study the feasibility of bringing a bus loop to Saugerties, similar to the one implemented in New Paltz. While the increase in frequency of the routes starting next year doesn't comprise a regular "loop" as such, members of the League and supporters of the idea said if the new bus service is a success, it might spur investment and yield grants.
A Wednesday, November 11 meeting at the Senior Center was attended by the League Board, UCAT director Robert DiBella, Town Board member Leanne Thornton, and members of the community. Attendees all seemed interested in increasing bus service in Saugerties. The League felt a bus loop would benefit local businesses, reduce traffic congestion, and provide seniors, students, and other community members with transportation for shopping and medical services. In addition, said Myrna Sameth, there is no longer a late sports bus provided by the schools and a new bus loop could provide transportation for students wanting to participate in after school activities.
The problem with making the bus loop happen in Saugerties -- at least at the moment -- is funding. The costs would be similar to those in New Paltz. But in New Paltz, the university paid for the first year's supply of fuel, and the local government helped subsidize the cost. The county provided $24,000 in initial startup funds. In Saugerties, no local government funding has been granted as of yet, but the League is seeking further sources of funding, including local businesses and grants.
Instead, the League looked into enhancing existing routes, in this case, the regular UCAT service from Kingston to Saugerties. As luck would have it, UCAT had recently scaled back its service in some other areas of the county, freeing up buses and drivers for a more intensive Saugerties-Kingston route.
At the meeting on Wednesday night DiBella laid out the proposed plan of schedules and routes expected to be in place by February, 1, 2010. The tentative schedule includes buses running every hour on the hour, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting at the Hudson Valley Mall, to Adams Fairacre Farms, Saugerties at the intersection of Route 32 and 9W, the Mill (the senior housing complex on Bridge Street), the post office, intersection of Washington Avenue and Main Sreet, Price Chopper, then back to the mall. The route will take about 50 minutes to complete.
At the meeting, DiBella discussed a number of topics including the proposed route, connections, price, how to advertise the service, accessibility for wheelchairs, and possibilities for a dedicated bus service in the future. Bus fare will be $0.75 with an additional $0.25 for each additional zone. There is a $0.50 charge for each off-route trip. He said that seniors, persons with disabilities and Medicare recipients receive half-fare between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. UCAT also provides curb to curb service for those who make prior reservations.
The Saugerties bus loop will follow the UCAT schedule with service Monday through Friday; minimal Saturday service, and no service on Sunday. (Current schedule: http://tinyurl.com/yb2jqsl.)
HOW CAN WE MAKE IT BETTER?
Community members discussed the desire to have a free service to promote tourism during the summer months. Councilwoman Thornton suggested a mutual service between Catskill and Saugerties to promote tourism. "The two towns are only twelve miles apart and both offer activates for tourists," she said. There was also talk of adding a stop at HITS [Horseshows In The Sun].
If Saugerties is to mirror the successful New Paltz model, it will have to have a "dedicated" bus, which spends the entire day shuttling people around within the town. Members of the League and citizens at the meeting said they plan to ask the Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce and individual businesses if they'd be interested in supporting a dedicated bus line.
The League also discussed how to publicize the bus service. "Perhaps UCAT could provide an informational meeting at the Saugerties High School since the service would benefit many area students," said Delores LaChance.
Generally speaking, attendees felt that once the people of Saugerties understood the route and schedules it would become routine for community members to use the service.
A number of community members raised questions about the proposed service. Thornton asked if passengers can flag down a bus along the route. DiBella answered in the affirmative.
Redder asked if passengers would be able to hook up with the Trailways buses and other further destinations. DiBella explained that from the hub at the Hudson Valley Mall, riders could hook up with other buses that could carry them as far as the train station in Poughkeepsie, or Bellaire to ski.
DeBella explained that although the upgrade in service will benefit those who need to use the buses, unless Saugerties ponies up the monetary layout for a dedicated bus, paid for from the town coffers or elsewhere, there were, indeed, certain limitations. For example, there was disappointment that the service would not include the ice arena. "You can't please everyone, unless you spend a lot on a dedicated bus," DiBella said.
Most attendees felt this was a pretty good plan to start with, and that after the first year it could be reevaluated. "Do a year, we'll give you the figures," DiBella said.
The League of Women Voters will sponsor another informational meeting on this topic next month at a date to be announced.
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© 2010 Ulster Publishing, Inc.
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