County Executive takes bus to Red Hook to discuss decision with local stakeholders
Poughkeepsie … In her first few days in office, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has taken immediate action to ensure public transit service continues to the Red Hook and Tivoli areas, in response to concerns from local residents, businesses and community organizations. County Executive Serino has forwarded a resolution to the Dutchess County Legislature to restore service on Route C to two stops in Red Hook and another in Tivoli, which had been slated for elimination as part of upcoming route modifications adopted in the 2024 County Budget. The County Legislature will vote on the resolution at its Jan. 16 board meeting.
County Executive Serino said, “I am grateful to all those who have reached out to share their thoughts and input about the bus service. I know how important public transit is for our community, and I’ve listened to the concerns raised by residents in northern Dutchess County about this service and how ridership can grow in the area. This resolution will ensure public transit service continues in Red Hook and Tivoli, and I look forward to continuing to work with the community to encourage even more residents to take advantage of this service.”
The County Executive’s resolution allocates $136,580 from General Contingency to restore and enhance service to Red Hook and Tivoli as part of the overall 2024 Dutchess County Public Transit route modifications. There will be an increase in the number of bus trips going to Tivoli, as well as timing improvements to avoid a long mid-day gap in service, giving riders more options to reach shopping, work, doctor’s appointments or the Poughkeepsie Train Station – destinations highlighted by current riders.
Several route modifications – which spanned various routes countywide, including Route C – were adopted as part of the 2024 County Budget and were designed to make it easier for riders to navigate the system with simplified routes that travel the same path on every run, expand service on the busiest routes and streamline service in underutilized areas to improve efficiency.
Service to Red Hook and Tivoli was slated for elimination due to low ridership numbers. However, as Dutchess County Public Transit hosted public meetings to inform riders and the public about the impending changes, there was a significant outpouring of support to continue service to these areas. Elected officials, businesses and representatives from Bard College noted there has been increased use by Bard students and many others in the community in recent months; and if the service is maintained, ridership can continue to increase, ensuring the efficiency of the route is maximized.
County Executive Serino rode the Route C bus to Red Hook today to meet with Bard representatives, as well as Town of Red Hook Supervisor Robert McKeon, Village of Red Hook Mayor Karen Smythe and Village of Tivoli Mayor Joel Griffith, to discuss the funding resolution and her hope that local leaders and the Bard College community will help promote the service to maximize usage of this bus route by area students and residents alike.
County Executive Serino said, “We want to make our public transit bus service as efficient as possible and ensure it is being used to its full capacity. The Route C bus is a valuable resource for the residents of northern Dutchess County, so I urge those in Red Hook and Tivoli in particular, to spread the word to friends and neighbors that this resource is here for you to get to work, school, doctor’s appointments, shopping and more, and we encourage you to use it!”
The full slate of systemwide route modifications, which were slated to go into effect March 30, 2024, will now go into effect June 1, 2024, as staffing and vehicle resources are reallocated to accommodate the restoration of service in Red Hook and Tivoli.
To learn more about Dutchess County Public Transit, including routes and schedules, visit www.dutchessny.gov/publictransit or download the Dutchess County Public Transit mobile application, available for download on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, for route schedules, live tracking of buses, as well as service notifications and alerts.
