Representatives of Sustainable Hudson Valley and partner organizations told the Poughkeepsie Common Council on July 1 they have completed a first-round engagement and draft plan for a micro‑transit pilot aimed at low‑income and mobility‑limited residents, and they plan to submit a final proposal to NYSERDA for a possible pilot.

"The goal of this project is to, after the engagement and the evaluation, to work with the community to come up with a plan," said a presenter who identified themself as Kinodel of Dutchess Outreach. The team emphasized the draft is preliminary and that NYSERDA feedback and further community surveys will shape any pilot application.

The project’s outreach included on‑site comment boards, three community workshops (at the Family Partnership Center, Maplewood Apartments and Admiral Halsey), and an online survey that presenters said they will keep open through the July update period. Engagement responses showed demand for a mix of options: e‑bike sharing, on‑demand electric shuttles, and improved first‑/last‑mile connections to hubs such as the library, the train station and the Walkway parking lot.

"A lot of residents are relying on public transit or walking, and arterials are a huge barrier," said Evelina, a project staffer. She and partner Empire Clean Cities flagged safety and access to bus stops as constraints that a micro‑transit pilot would need to fit into, not replace, existing county-operated routes. Presenters said they plan a hub model (a central location for multiple modes, charging and bike storage) and expect public‑private partnerships will be required for operations and long‑term funding.

Council members asked whether NYSERDA’s second‑round application would include capital and operating funds and whether the program would be Poughkeepsie‑specific or part of a multi‑city effort. Presenters said NYSERDA has signaled it funds pilot projects but requires applicants to show a long‑term funding and operating plan; the round‑two application details had not been released and the team expected to know more after NYSERDA’s review.

Potential pilot locations that came up repeatedly in engagement were the Poughkeepsie Public Library, the Family Partnership Center, the Walkway parking lot and the train station. Presenters said they will continue outreach with Dutchess County transit staff, the Mayor’s office and other stakeholders as they refine the plan.

The council did not vote on the plan at the meeting. The presenters asked the council to share the draft with constituents and to provide feedback before the team finalizes materials for NYSERDA, which the presenters said they expect to submit in July.