Poughkeepsie … With changes reflecting community input and addressing concerns, Dutchess County Public Transit (DCPT) route modifications will go into effect Jan. 4, 2025. These fixed route modifications will expand service on the busiest routes; make it easier for riders to navigate the system; and improve overall system efficiency. A newly launched mobile app and web-based tracking system further enhances riders experience with improved bus tracking and trip planning.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “Over the past year, we have listened to our community’s concerns and input about bus service. The team at Dutchess County Public Transit has worked tirelessly to fine tune fixed-route changes, addressing the various concerns and ensuring efficiency in the bus system to keep it sustainable for the future. We are grateful to all those who have shared input during this process as it has been helpful in finalizing routes that will serve more people than ever before.”
Over the past few months, DCPT staff has been visiting bus stops along all the fixed routes, talking with riders about the new schedules and sharing information about the new SPOT mobile app. The upcoming changes have been well-received by riders. The most anticipated changes include more frequent service to the Route 9 corridor; new express service from Poughkeepsie to Walmart in Fishkill and Amazon in East Fishkill; increased local service for Dutchess Community College students; and new Sunday service for the Beacon Free Loop.
The route modifications make the schedules much simpler and easy-to-understand, eliminating different paths being traveled for each trip to prevent passenger confusion. Additionally, the schedule will reduce split shifts and eliminate unpaid layover time for bus drivers.
DCPT Director Michael Grattini said, “We have worked hard to come up with schedules and routes that addressed riders’ concerns, while also improving our system overall. We are grateful to County Executive Serino for her ongoing support of our efforts and to our community partners for their willingness to collaborate and share their feedback. As these changes go into effect in the new year, our team at DCPT is ready to help riders adjust as seamlessly as possible.”
The new mobile app and tracking system, SPOT, was launched in October, following the discontinuation of the former DoubleMap app. The new SPOT app offers similar features for riders, including saving their favorite routes and stops, and getting push notifications to mobile devices with real-time updates. Schedules will also be available in real-time on the app. On-board hardware has been upgraded to track bus locations and make automated, accessible stop announcements. As part of their outreach, DCPT staff has been talking to riders to answer their questions and offer troubleshooting help as they transition to the new app.
Over the past few months, DCPT has been working closely with ETA Transit to ensure the transition to the new app and hardware on the buses is smooth for passengers and drivers alike. During outreach visits, DCPT staff have also answered riders’ questions as well as offered troubleshooting help to riders.
Director Grattini continued, “We have been helping customers learn the new mobile app, showing them how to take advantage of the all the great features. As we prepare for the new schedules to go into effect on Jan. 4th, we will continue our outreach, helping riders use this great tool to easily reach their destination and we look forward to serving even more customers in 2025!”
Additionally, the DCPT’s reservation-based Flex Service is also expanding, doubling the hours of available service. Starting January 4th with the fixed route modifications, flex service will be available from 8am until 5pm Monday through Friday. Flex service is a curb-to-curb service anywhere in Dutchess County. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (845) 473-8424.
An overview of the route modifications is as follows:
Routes A & B (Poughkeepsie to Fishkill/Poughkeepsie to Beacon): As these are the two most-used routes in the system, trip frequency will increase to offer hourly service with 11 additional trips on Route A and eight additional trips on Route B.
Route C (Poughkeepsie to Tivoli): The bus will now enter the Hyde Park Mall plaza (Stop & Shop) in Hyde Park and Bard College campus in Red Hook on every trip. Stops along the Route 9G corridor will be eliminated due to low ridership.
Route D (Poughkeepsie to Millbrook): This route, which currently is Poughkeepsie to Dover, will now have its eastern-most stop in the Village of Millbrook. Stops in Dover and Wassaic have been eliminated due to low ridership.
Route E (Poughkeepsie to Pawling): Modified to offer three daily round trips to Pawling (morning, mid-day and evening). All other trips will travel as far east as Old Manchester Road in LaGrange.
Route F (Beacon to Hopewell Junction): Service hours will be expanded to end at 10pm to better serve southern Dutchess County destinations, including the Amazon facility and iPark in East Fishkill, Walmart in Fishkill and the City of Beacon.
Route G (Poughkeepsie to Beacon): Also known as The Beacon Free Loop, this route will add Sunday service.
Route H (DCC to Poughkeepsie Train Station): This route will be eliminated at the request of Dutchess Community College as Route J will now serve the Town of Poughkeepsie campus.
Route J (Poughkeepsie North): Will now serve the Hudson Heritage Shopping Center on Route 9 and Dutchess Community College in the Town of Poughkeepsie, offering students more access to local shopping.
Route K (Poughkeepsie South): The 9:15pm and 10:15pm trips departing from the Transit Hub in the City of Poughkeepsie will be eliminated due to low ridership.
Route L (Poughkeepsie – Main Street Shuttle): Service will now end at 8pm due to low ridership on later evening trips.
Routes M & P (Poughkeepsie East and West): Service will now end at 6:12pm and 5:12pm, respectively. Route M will continue to enter Maplewood Apartments on Maple Street in the City of Poughkeepsie.
RailLink Service (New Hamburg and Poughkeepsie Train Stations): Due to low ridership, as well as overlapping service on other routes, RailLink service to the Poughkeepsie and New Hamburg train stations will be discontinued.
The updated timetables are available on Dutchess County Public Transit’s website, dutchessny.gov/publictransit. Riders can also call (845) 473-8424 for questions regarding the route modifications and alternate route options.
