NYSDOT Commissioner Travels to Kingston to Announce Micro Transit Funding
KINGSTON, NY— New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger joined other local officials on June 10 to announce the award of more than $1 million in funding through the state’s Innovative Mobility Initiative.
Ulster County Area Transit was awarded $1.1 million to provide microtransit service to expand geographic coverage of public transportation to rural municipalities in the county.
The Innovative Mobility Initiative provides funds to non-MTA transit authorities to expand service offerings and support riders who face barriers to accessing traditional transit by funding the creation of new transit alternatives or technological products. State officials announced a total of $6 million in IMI funding to five counties on June 10.
NYSDOT Commissioner Dominguez said, “With the investments Governor Hochul is making in public transit, New York State is making it easier and more efficient for all riders to get to where they need to go, with enhanced mobility alternatives. Providing equitable access to transportation for all is a core value as we make critical investments in transit and transportation alternatives for New Yorkers in every part of our great state.”
State Senator Hinchey said, “Across our rural communities, many residents do not have reliable access to a car, making it extremely challenging for people to get to where they need to be when local bus routes can’t always help bridge that gap. This state investment in Ulster County builds on our ongoing efforts to expand transportation options in the Hudson Valley, and I commend Ulster for applying for these funds and raising their hand to pilot new, on-demand transit services.”
Ulster County Executive Metzger said, “In a rural county like ours, residents without personal transportation are at a major disadvantage when their needs can’t be met by fixed route bus service, alone. This award will enable Ulster County to pilot on-demand services so that our residents can reliably and affordably get to where they need to go, when they need to go, whether it’s to a doctor’s appointment, the grocery store, or an event at their children’s school.”
Published: June 16, 2026.