UC Executive visits campus, unveils new mobile app for UCAT bus system

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein held a press conference at SUNY New Paltz on Tuesday, Aug. 25 to announce a new mobile app for use with the network of 27 bus lines operated by Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT).

The free app will make it easy for students and other county residents to view schedules and receive real-time updates on bus routes and arrivals.

“This app is an exciting new tool for our residents because of the amount of useful information it provides, and we are proud to be the first county in the Hudson Valley to offer this type of technology to our riders,” Hein said. “Whether it is someone waiting for the bus to take them to work, a shopper using the Mall Loop or a SUNY New Paltz student in need of transportation, this app will help.”

The UCAT system includes a number of bus lines enabling travel throughout Ulster County, but chief among these for most members of the College community is the New Paltz Loop (NPL), which connects points on campus with key locations around the Village, including the Stop & Shop plaza and downtown New Paltz.

The NPL began in 2009 as the result of a collaborative effort propelled in large part by members of the SUNY New Paltz Student Association. Thanks to their work and partnerships forged between the College, the Town of New Paltz and UCAT, the Loop is free to use for all College students, faculty and staff.

“UCAT is a significant asset for the county and our College community,” said President Donald P. Christian. “Our Student Association recognized the value of this important public service and previously worked with local and county officials to expand service on the weekends, a peak time for student-use. Today’s announcement continues the focus on community needs. We appreciate County Executive Mike Hein and his team’s initiative to enhance our students’ experience in Ulster County.”

Hein also announced further plans to expand the reach and convenience the UCAT system. Interactive kiosks featuring the app will be installed in strategic public locations around the county, which will make the technology available to those without smart phones.

Additionally, a new bus route running from Kingston, N.Y. through New Paltz to the Metro-North train station in Poughkeepsie will begin operation on Oct. 1. The route is intended to make it much easier for county residents, including New Paltz students, to travel by train to New York City.

Joining County Executive Hein and President Christian at the press conference were New Paltz Town Supervisor Susan Zimet, Village Mayor Tim Rodgers, Ulster County Legislator Hector Rodriguez, UCAT Director Robert DiBella and Kelsey Ryan ’15 (International Relations / Sociology) and Paul Brown ’17 (Psychology) of the Student Association.

The UCAT app is downloadable by searching “UCAT” in the Apple or Android app stores. More information about Ulster County Area Transit is available online.