On Tuesday U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19), U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer, and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $4,999,882 in CARES Act emergency federal funding for the Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT). This federal funding was secured in the CARES Act, allocated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and will allow transit services to continue in the Ulster County Area during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by mitigating the devastating financial impact of the crisis on local transit systems. Specifically, the funding will be used to support necessary operating expenses, such as maintaining operational ability and system readiness, and allow UCAT to respond to the community’s transit needs.
“Throughout this pandemic, our localities have continued essential services including public transit that allow our communities to function. I am proud to join in announcing these critical funds that will modernize this fleet and protect the essential workers that have taken on personal risk to keep Ulster County moving,” said Delgado. “I will continue to fight for robust investment in our rural communities on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to make sure upstate has the resources needed to recover and rebuild.”
“As the Hudson Valley reopens, it’s imperative that it gets all the federal tools it needs to support the recovery process, including help for our vital public transportation systems in Ulster County” said Schumer. “This federal funding will offset the devastating financial impacts of COVID-19 on transit operations throughout the region and allow the Ulster County Area to keep the bus systems clean, safe, timely and efficient for Hudson Valley riders. I’m proud to have fought for this imperative funding to be included in the CARES Act and will continue to fight to make sure that New York has every dollar it needs to recover.”
“This additional CARES Act funding will ensure that Ulster County can continue providing safe and sanitary public transportation services for the workers and other riders who rely on transit,” said Gillibrand. “New York’s transit systems are central to our economy and this critical funding will help keep wheels moving as New York communities re-open. I will continue fighting for the resources necessary to support our public transit services and ensure all New Yorkers are able to travel safely.
“Ulster County Public Transit is an essentials means of transportation for our community members,” said Ryan. “This transportation funding through the CARES Act will allow us to continue to maintain services for our riders and public transit workers, along with keeping our public transportation system safe and clean. I want to thank Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Representative Delgado for securing this critical funding for Ulster County.”
UCAT serves the Ulster County region, excluding the city of Kingston, and provides Ulster County residents with public transit options to connect to Orange and Dutchess Counties, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, New York City, and Albany. UCAT also serves SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Ulster, playing a vital role in keeping students connected with the rest of the Hudson Valley. The FTA funding for UCAT is a 100% federal fund grant and no local match is required.