Legislature backs transit electrification grant application and names Transit Riders advisory committee; discussions continue on shelters and operations

The Ulster County Legislature on March 18 approved Resolution No. 94 authorizing submission of a grant application to the New York State Department of Transportation for a zero-emissions transit electrification program and approved Resolution No. 95 appointing members to the Transit Riders Intermodal Advisory Committee.

Resolution No. 94 would allow the county to apply for up to $5,000,000 from NYSDOT for transit electrification at Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT). Staff said the program could fund vehicles, charging infrastructure, software, or electrification of facilities; the grant requires a 5% local match, which staff said is $500,000.

Resolution No. 95 appointed multiple members to the Transit Riders Intermodal Advisory Committee from across the county; staff said the applicants come from different parts of Ulster County and include people with transit and bicycle experience. The resolution named the committee members and designated legislator Craig McCullough as the majority legislator representative and Joe Maloney as the minority legislator representative.

Why it matters: The grant could support UCAT’s transition to electric buses or charging infrastructure, which has implications for service planning, capital needs and operations. The newly appointed advisory committee will advise on intermodal issues including transit service and bicycle integration.

During the meeting legislators and UCAT staff discussed route optimization, bus shelters and microtransit. Staff described the route optimization study’s public outreach and scenario planning and said consultants are preparing timetables and that route proposals depend on available funding, vehicles and drivers. On bus shelters, staff said the county has proposals to inventory existing shelters and evaluate maintenance and siting; the legislature previously allocated roughly $500,000 for shelters, staff said.

Legislators also asked about microtransit and service to areas such as Marlborough; staff said microtransit has been applied for but the county had not yet received an award, and that demand hotspots were identified in Kingston, Ellenville, Woodstock and parts of western Ulster County. Staff cautioned that vehicles and drivers are limiting factors.

The legislature also discussed hiring two "bus stewards" funded in the budget whose job description was distributed; staff said the positions will be posted and are intended to assist drivers by de-escalating onboard incidents and supporting riders, especially on routes with recurring issues.

Motions and outcomes: Resolution No. 94 (authorize grant application to NYSDOT, $5,000,000 with 5% match) was moved, seconded and carried. Resolution No. 95 (committee appointments) was moved, seconded and carried.

What’s next: If the NYSDOT grant application advances, staff will return with detailed project scopes and match funding plans. The route optimization and bus-shelter inventory work will continue; staff said they may return to the legislature if contract scopes or funding allocation require amendment.