In Addition To The Recently Released Real Time Bus Tracking Smartphone App, SUNY Ulster Students Will Also See Bus Fares Discounted By 50% When Traveling To/From Any SUNY Ulster Campus On A UCAT Bus
Kingston, N.Y. — Commuting to class by riding a UCAT Bus has become cheaper and easier for SUNY Ulster students. County Executive Mike Hein has implemented a commuting student discount on Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) buses. Starting in 2016 by simply showing their SUNY Ulster student ID, students will receive a 50% discount for their ride to or from any SUNY Ulster campus, including the main campus in Stone Ridge, the new Kingston Center or the Business Resource Center. This fare discount continues the County Executive’s commitment to increasing access to higher education, as it was only three months ago that the conveniently located Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster opened in mid-town Kingston.
“The importance of education can not be overstated, it is the best way to improve access to the American Dream for everybody and we have worked hard to remove obstacles and make it easier for any student who is seeking higher education to attend college,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “The STRIVE Project placed a satellite campus of the excellent SUNY Ulster in mid-town Kingston next to the high school. This means that it is within walking distance for many students and this bus fare discount will help our other students who have further distances to travel. In addition, students will also know exactly how long until their bus arrives and its current location thanks to our new smartphone app which was unveiled earlier this year. Our bus system does a tremendous job transporting riders across our county, an area the size of the state of Rhode Island, and their dedication shows with ridership up to record levels.”
Dr. Alan Roberts, President of SUNY Ulster
"The reduction in bus fare to travel to and from SUNY Ulster's Stone Ridge Campus, the KCSU and the Business Resource Center is a tremendous opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Alan Roberts, SUNY Ulster President. “This makes transportation even more affordable and increases access to higher education, which provides life-changing opportunities for our community's residents. We applaud the County Executive's vision and continuing commitment to this college."
Thomas J. Briggs, Ulster County Legislator
“This initiative is a win for everyone involved: students, SUNY Ulster and Ulster County,” said Ulster County Legislator Thomas J. Briggs. “This is another example of the County Executive working hard on behalf of students to make higher education more accessible here in Ulster County and I am proud to support a plan that will make it more affordable for our students to go to college.”
James Maloney, Ulster County Legislator
"Since higher education is the foundation for job creation, I strongly support making education more accessible for our students; and the County Executive's plan to offer reduced bus fares will do just that," said Ulster County Legislator James Maloney. "It's an investment in our future."
Rosario Agostaro, Superintendent of Rondout Valley School District
"It is obvious that County Executive Mike Hein values education greatly and I am thrilled that he continually looks for ways to provide greater access and opportunity for students,’ said Rosario Agostaro, Superintendent of Rondout Valley School District. “This student bus fare discount will benefit those students who need to travel to get to SUNY Ulster, like many in Rondout Valley, and will also help alleviate some of the costs associated with attending college."
Christopher Vallieu, SUNY Ulster Student
“This is wonderful news for students, like me, who ride the UCAT bus to campus,” said Christopher Vallieu, SUNY Ulster student. “Many students are on a strict budget and this will certainly help reduce expenses. I want to thank County Executive Hein for helping students and placing such a priority on education.”
The discounted student fares will begin January 1, 2016 and will be available to students who show a valid SUNY Ulster ID card upon boarding the bus. Seniors and Veterans already enjoy comparable discounts when riding UCAT. The smartphone app is available free of charge for either Apple or Android operating systems by visiting the Apple App Store or Google Play and searching ‘UCAT’.
UCAT operates 27 buses which traverse Ulster County and drives over 994,000 revenue miles per year and boasts an on time rate of 93%. In 2014 its annual ridership was over 431,000 passengers, which represents more than a 79% increase since 2008.
