Poughkeepsie, NY…Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro is pleased to announce Dutchess County Public Transit has launched a new shared services partnership with Dutchess Community College (DCC) and Marist College to provide enhanced public transportation services for students, faculty and college employees, as well as the general public. The new bus Route H, established earlier this month, easily connects the DCC and Marist communities to services and businesses within the City and Town of Poughkeepsie. Marist College and Dutchess Community College are funding the local cost of the new fixed-route service, so there is no county cost to local taxpayers.
“We are excited to partner with Dutchess Community College and Marist College to deliver this shared service, providing increased public transit access to local shops, businesses and eateries. Both college communities and County residents will have the opportunity to take advantage of this service, making traveling throughout Dutchess County easier and more efficient. The creation of the H Route is further proof of our desire to enhance shared services efforts to improve the lives of those living and working in Dutchess County” said Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro.
The new fixed-route service, Route H, provides a direct link from Marist College and Dutchess Community College to the Poughkeepsie Transit Hub in the City of Poughkeepsie, where students can connect with all other Dutchess County Public Transit routes. Route H, a 45 minute round trip route, also includes stops at the Metro-North Train Station, the Washington Street entrance to the Walkway Over the Hudson, the Hudson Plaza, Spackenkill Plaza/Residence Inn, and the Poughkeepsie Plaza before returning to the Poughkeepsie Transit Hub.
The shuttle service runs Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. Any college student, college employee, or faculty from DCC or Marist can ride the Route H line or any other fixed bus route operated by Dutchess County free of charge, as long as they present their college ID. Other passengers will be charged the standard fixed-route rate of $1.75 or $.75 for students, seniors, veterans, Medicare card holders and/or ADA card, or children 5 to 12 years of age.
The new service route has the added bonus of curb-to-curb service in the Hudson Plaza and Poughkeepsie Plaza shopping centers. While other bus routes include service to the shopping centers directly on Route 9, the Route H route will go directly into the shopping centers for easier access.
“This new agreement enables us to provide enhanced service for our passengers, making it easier to access many of the popular destinations in those shopping centers including grocery stores and dialysis treatment, without any additional cost to the county budget,” said Public Transit Administrator Cynthia Ruiz.
“We are pleased to work with Dutchess County and Dutchess Community College to establish this valuable service for our students, faculty and employees. The creation of the Route H shuttle will expand our students' access to surrounding businesses and enhance the College's already significant economic impact on Dutchess County by providing a safe, no-cost commuting option within the City and Town of Poughkeepsie,” said Dr. Dennis J. Murray, President of Marist College.
“This innovative collaboration with the County and Marist will enhance access to programs and services for our students countywide who rely on, or would prefer to use, public transportation,” said Dr. Pamela Edington, President of Dutchess Community College. “It will reduce travel time and eliminate costs for those in our campus communities, and the direct link and easy access will benefit local services and businesses. We are grateful to the County for addressing the need for this additional route, and look forward to continued partnerships that enable us to achieve shared goals.”
Route and schedule information is available on the Dutchess County website:
http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/MassTransit/19226.htm.