Dutchess County Public Transit Returns to Full Service on Saturday, June 6th

Dutchess County Public Transit
Returns to Full Service on Saturday, June 6th

Poughkeepsie… As “Restarting Dutchess” efforts continue, Dutchess County Public Transit (DCPT) has announced full bus service will resume for all 13 fixed routes, as well as rail link services, this Saturday, June 6th.    Extensive social distancing and cleaning protocols are in place to protect the health and safety of riders and drivers and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Bus fares for all services have been temporarily suspended for a pilot period to allow passengers to adjust to the various safety protocols.  

“With more and more residents returning to work and as businesses reopen under the State’s phased reopening plan, Dutchess County Public Transit will return to full service to help get people to work and other activities,” said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. “We are all navigating uncharted waters, so we ask everyone to be patient and cooperative with safety measures that are designed to protect our community’s health and safety. During the initial transition to full service, there will be no charge to passengers, and we will continue to offer our special same day on-demand service for our more vulnerable residents.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic first arrived in Dutchess County, DCPT has implemented significant cleaning and sanitization procedures, as well as new public health safety policies for drivers and passengers including:

• Vehicles are cleaned and sanitized daily with sanitizing spray;
• Drivers are given daily temperature checks at the start of their shifts;
• Bus drivers continue to wear face masks and gloves;
• All riders are required to wear a face covering or mask; masks will be available on the buses for riders who need them;
• Social distancing markers are in place; and
• Passengers must board and disembark buses through the rear door.

DCPT is also anticipating further regulations to be required from the State’s Department of Transportation and will publicize any updates as they become available.

In addition to the regular fixed route service, the County’s special same-day, on-demand service, which was implemented when Public Transit limited service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 24th, will continue to be available Monday thru Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm for senior citizens, those with disabilities, and veterans. Other riders may be accommodated if seat availability allows. The on-demand service is for trips originating and ending within Dutchess County for the limited purpose of visiting:

• Pharmacy for pick-up and drop-off of prescriptions
• Food shopping center
• Doctor’s office or health care facility for medical needs only.

To schedule this service, please call Dutchess County’s Coronavirus Hotline Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at 845-486-3555, option 6.  Please have the following information ready when calling:

• Passenger name
• Phone number
• Pick up address
• Destination address

Please note, this service is not intended for medical emergencies.  Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should dial 9-1-1.

All Dutchess County Public Transit’s routes and schedules are available online at DutchessNY.gov/publictransit.    DCPT also offers a newly redesigned mobile app with real-time bus tracking. The DCPT app is available for IOS and Android on Google Play and Apple App Store from DoubleMap.

Dutchess County Government continues to provide residents the most current information on its COVID-19 Community Impact Dashboard, as well as guidance on its website, dutchessny.gov/coronavirus, its Coronavirus hotline, (845) 486-3555, and its Facebook and Twitter accounts.