Fare Box System Among New Public Transit Services Rolling Out

Poughkeepsie, NY…Dutchess County Public Transit users can take advantage of several new service enhancements to the countywide bus system beginning this month. Starting this week, public transit users will be able to utilize new features to the existing fare box system on County buses that make purchasing bus tickets easier and more efficient. Additionally, Dutchess County Public Transit will expand service options for riders early next month with the addition of highly requested Sunday bus service and a new route in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

“We are excited to offer a variety of new service options for utilizers of the County’s public transit system. Now, more than ever, residents and visitors to Dutchess County will have improved and expanded options for traveling throughout our community,” said Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro.

As part of the new fare box system, riders will no longer need exact change. The fare box will now issue a change card to be used towards future rides. Additionally, riders will have the option to insert and swipe their bus tickets into the fare box, providing for ease of use and improved tracking for future trips.

New features include:

• No need for exact change. The fare box will automatically issue a change card to be used towards future trips;
• New card slot feature for Single and Multi-Ride tickets making payment easier and improves tracking for card balances; and
• New swipe reader for Anytime tickets.

Ticket options have been improved, making it easier and more flexible for residents and visitors to use. Multi-Ride ticket options offer commuters greater flexibility as they can be utilized any day, with no expiration. Previously, commuter tickers were valid only during the purchase month and for designated time periods on weekdays only. New Anytime ride tickets offer convenient options for visitors, providing for unlimited rides for multi-day blocks. Bus tickets can be purchased directly on the bus, in person at the Dutchess County Public Transit bus facility or via U.S. mail using cash, check or money order.

Bus ticket options include:

*Reduced fares are available to seniors (age 60+), veterans, children (age 5-12), students, or ADA passengers with proper identification including Dutchess County Senior ID card, current military ID, Dutchess County FAVOR card, valid student ID and ADA Identification Card.

Beginning Sunday, February 5, bus service will expand from six days a week to seven on the most popular routes. Routes A, B, F and H will offer service seven days a week, meeting a highly requested service for public transit users. Sunday bus service will be available as a pilot program and will meet a growing need for passengers who frequent the County’s public transit system.

A new fixed-route bus service, Route I, will launch as a pilot program on Saturday, February 4, providing a link to and from the Main & Market Street bus stop in the City of Poughkeepsie to the Metro-North Poughkeepsie Train Station, Boardman Road, the Dutchess County Airport, the Poughkeepsie Galleria and the Shoppes at South Hills via Hooker Avenue and Vassar Road. Route I, an approximate one-hour, one-way trip route, will run Monday through Saturday from 6:25 a.m. to 11:36 p.m. View the Route I schedule.

“I am excited for Dutchess County Public Transit’s new and expanded bus service options, which I supported in the 2017 County Budget. The new Sunday Service and Route I will serve a growing need for users of our public transit system.  These expanded service options will allow for greater accessibility for students, seniors and veterans to enjoy all Dutchess County has to offer,” said Dutchess County Legislator Angela Flesland.

Also planned for this year, Public Transit will install new and improved bus signage and launch a mobile app to make navigating the public transit system easier and more accessible. The new mobile app, which will be available for both Android and iPhone users, will enable riders to get arrival prediction information in real-time on all routes. Public transit riders can plan their routes in advance, view bus schedules, and track the location of buses in real time, adding efficiency and making Dutchess County Public Transit more user-friendly than ever before.

View the Division of Public Transit website for more information regarding the fare box system, ticket options and current Public Transit schedules.