3. Public Involvement

The MPO shall provide individuals, affected public agencies, representatives of public transportation employees, public ports, freight shippers, providers of freight transportation services, private providers of transportation (including intercity bus operators, employer-based commuting programs, such as carpool program, vanpool program, transit benefit program, parking cashout program, shuttle program, or telework program), representatives of users of public transportation, representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, representatives of the disabled, and other interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the transportation plan using the participation plan developed under § 450.316(a).

The MPO shall publish or otherwise make readily available the metropolitan transportation plan for public review, including (to the maximum extent practicable) in electronically accessible formats and means, such as the World Wide Web.

23CFR§450.300 (Development and Content of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Parts J & M)

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT SUMMARY

The development of Mobility 2050 was guided by a collaborative and comprehensive public engagement strategy led by FHI Studio – IMEG. The outreach effort was designed to reach a broad cross-section of the community through both in-person and digital methods.

From October 2024 through December 2025, engagement activities included pop-ups along trails, at community events, and in other strategically selected locations. Paid social media advertisements were also used to promote the Mobility 2050 survey and inform the public about upcoming meetings and opportunities to participate.

The public involvement approach was organized into four key categories:

  • Collaboration with the Technical Advisory Committee
  • Virtual Stakeholder Meetings
  • Pop-Up Events
  • Virtual Workshop and Online Survey

The full results of these outreach efforts are detailed in Appendix F and G.

Collaboration with the TAC

Two (2) virtual policy committee meetings were attended on October 22, 2024 and April 22, 2025. During the first meeting the project team shared the public involvement approach, got feedback on the virtual workshop/survey. At the second meeting the project team shared survey results from the first month of responses and gave a general update on public involvement, schedule, and ideas for future pop-ups.

Virtual Stakeholder Meetings

Four (4) virtual stakeholder meetings were scheduled to convene business owners, community organizations, transit providers, trail enthusiasts, bike/ped advocates, engineers, town planners and others. These discussions were designed to better understand the values, perceptions, transportation opportunities, and constraints as well as aligning with future plans, and trends that entities see as a need.

Pop-Up Events

Four (4) total pop-up events were attended to support the development of Mobility 2050. Pop-up events were held across Ulster County on May 30th and May 31st. These pop-ups were designed to engage community members in convenient, informal settings such as festivals, transit hubs, and community gathering spots, to raise awareness about Mobility 2050 and gather input directly from residents. The purpose of these events was to better understand local transportation needs, priorities, and ideas for future improvements. Through brief conversations and interactive materials, the pop-ups provided valuable community feedback to help guide the vision and strategies of the LRTP.

“A system that runs frequently and efficiently enough that taking a bus instead of driving won’t double or triple the amount of time it takes.” – feedback from pop-up participant

Virtual Workshop and Online Survey

An interactive online workshop and survey tool, ARNIE, developed by FHI Studio-IMEG, was launched to gather community input. This platform served as both a survey and an online workshop, allowing participants to identify specific locations where transportation infrastructure is working well or causing issues using an interactive pin drop map. In addition, users took part in a budgeting exercise, allocating resources to transportation priorities they’d most like to see improved. The survey was conducted from April 30, 2025, to June 30, 2025. In total, we received 314 responses on the interactive map and 250 completed surveys, providing valuable insights to help shape the Long Range Transportation Plan.

Summary of Public Involvement Results

Stakeholder Focus Groups Results

The stakeholder focus groups gave feedback on six major areas. These categories and their major themes and subjects are summarized below:

General Infrastructure
  • Transit and Mobility Enhancements: There is strong support for expanding electric bus service with a goal of 100% battery electric by 2035, and interest in offering free bus service where feasible. Rail trails were noted as a valuable asset particularly in and around Kingston but there’s a need to better connect underserved areas like Wallkill and improve municipal coordination on a broader bike network.
  • Complete Streets and Roadway Improvements: Stakeholders emphasized the importance of expanding Complete Streets strategies across the county, addressing overbuilt roads (such as 9W), and making roads safer for pedestrians. Road diets, improved signage, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant infrastructure were all highlighted.
  • Urban Infrastructure and Land Use: In urban centers like Kingston, stakeholders noted the need to address legacy impacts from urban renewal projects, plan for increased density, and manage aging infrastructure, including sewers and underground utilities as part of major street projects.
  • Sidewalk and Accessibility Issues: Sidewalks often fall short of ADA standards, with responsibility for maintenance falling to adjacent property owners. Damage from tree roots, snow/ice accumulation, and inadequate sight distances present year-round accessibility challenges.
  • Rail and Freight Considerations: While passenger rail does not currently serve Kingston, freight rail remains a significant factor. Stakeholders suggested rail infrastructure should be more actively considered in future planning.
  • Connectivity Gaps: Notable infrastructure gaps include a lack of pedestrian and bike connections between Kingston and Saugerties to the north, and between New Paltz and Marlborough to the south. Ensuring residents can safely walk to key destinations like community centers was identified as a basic but unmet need.
Non-motorized Transportation
  • Foundation and Usage: Kingston has a strong base for a bike and pedestrian system, including the Greenline, which is actively used for commuting, school, and daily activities. Projects like Midtown Rising further support walkability and non-motorized access.
  • Infrastructure and Design Constraints: Narrow streets in Kingston make it difficult to safely share space between vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians. Expanding roads or reallocating space was suggested to improve pedestrian safety and accommodate a wider range of users.
  • Connectivity and Access: There’s a desire to improve connections outside the city, such as along Route 28 to the Town of Ulster, and to reestablish ferry service as part of a multimodal network. Access to train stations and UCAT service were also noted as strengths that can support non-motorized trips.
  • Emerging Modes: E-bikes and motorized scooters present both promise and challenges. E-bikes were seen as transformational, especially for people who can’t ride traditional bikes. Stakeholders suggested the need for separate lanes or a secondary network for faster-moving devices (20–25 mph). However, safety concerns and a rise in reported crashes involving E-devices underscore the need for improved operator safety, rules of the road, enforcement, and clearer signage.
  • Behavior and Accessibility: Expanding bike rentals for tourists and casual users was seen as a positive step, especially in areas served by regional buses or cruise ships. However, barriers like carrying belongings, lack of education on road-sharing behavior, and speed limits not suited for mixed-use corridors remain concerns.
  • Mode Shift and Policy Goals: In Kingston, 90% of trips are made by private vehicle, reducing that number even to 70% would be a major success. Stakeholders emphasized realistic goals that reflect where people are actually commuting from and highlighted the importance of promoting car-free access to nearby destinations.
Public Transportation/Human Service Transportation
  • Service Frequency and Coverage: While making UCAT service free is a positive step, stakeholders stressed the need for more frequent buses and better service to key destinations such as shopping centers, medical facilities, and essential services. Some noted that UCAT would benefit from having four times as many buses to meet current demand.
  • Bus Stop Clarity and Infrastructure: A common concern was the lack of clear bus stop locations, particularly outside urban areas. Riders often wave down buses or disembark at random points, which some see as flexible, but others find confusing or unsafe. Clear signage and designated stops would improve user experience.
  • Transit Center Location: The current transit hub at Hannaford was seen as inadequate. Stakeholders suggested exploring more appropriate or underutilized locations, such as shopping plazas, to better serve riders and improve access.
  • Security and Safety: Security was mentioned as one of the biggest challenges, indicating a need for greater investment in safe, welcoming facilities and transit environments.
  • Communication and Coordination: Riders appreciated UCAT’s helpful dispatch service, but called for clearer schedules, better visibility of information, and stronger coordination between county services to streamline bus routes and improve system efficiency.
Business
  • Parking Challenges: Parking is perceived as an issue in some business areas; lack of parking causes some people to leave. “Gold Parking” (on-street parking) was mentioned as a current strategy. The city is conducting a parking study to address these concerns.
  • Rail Access: Stakeholders suggested that passenger service on the West Shore Railroad could improve access to jobs and reduce car dependency.
  • Access to Employment: Reliable transportation is essential for supporting workforce mobility. Improving access to job centers through transit is seen as critical for both employees and businesses.
Transportation Safety
  • Speed and Traffic Control: Stakeholders noted that the city’s recent reduction of speed limits to 25 MPH is a positive step for safety. They highlighted planned traffic calming measures in Kingston as an important improvement. Safety upgrades on highways were also acknowledged.
  • Enforcement and Education: Many stakeholders appreciated Kingston Police Department’s increased traffic enforcement this year, especially by the Traffic Enforcement Unit. Public safety campaigns, including those supported by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Board, were seen as valuable. Some mentioned that the YMCA’s bicycle education programs contribute to raising safety awareness. Starting safety education at a young age was emphasized as critical by several participants.
  • User Responsibility and Behavior: Several stakeholders emphasized that much of transportation safety depends on individual behavior. They stressed the importance of pedestrians and cyclists being assertive, planning their routes carefully, and improving visibility through lights and safety vests. Following traffic rules and using crosswalks were commonly mentioned safety practices. One stakeholder shared that they stopped biking on Spring Town Road due to safety concerns.
  • Road Design Approaches: Stakeholders advocated for applying “complete streets” or “Vision Zero” design approaches to county roads to make them safer for all users.
Environmental Conservation
  • Air Quality: Ulster County planning area is meeting air quality standards, reflecting positive environmental conditions.
  • Urban Forestry and Greenery: Street trees provide benefits such as slight traffic calming, cooling effects, and encouraging walking through shaded routes. The Mayor’s goal to plant 1,000 trees in Kingston is progressing well, with nearly half already planted.
  • Green Infrastructure (GI): Implementation of GI practices like tree pits and bioswales (e.g., on Broadway and Flatbush) helps manage stormwater and supports environmental health. Separating sewer systems during city projects is seen as environmentally beneficial.
  • Road Design and Wildlife Impact: Wide roads encourage fast driving and create physical barriers for wildlife movement. Suggestions include narrowing lanes and widening shoulders to mitigate these effects.
  • Road surface treatment Concerns: Use of road salt poses environmental problems. Non-permeable surfaces contribute to increased stormwater runoff, impacting water quality.

Virtual Workshop/Online Survey

The survey (in English and Spanish) was published on April 1st, 2025 and remained open through June 30th, 2025. A total of 250 people responded to the workshop portion of the survey, and we received 314 individual geocoded pin drops on the interactive map portion of the workshop. Survey respondents mainly use vehicles as their main mode of transportation followed by walking, public transportation, and walking. Most people spend most of their time in Kingston followed by Marbleton, New Paltz, Saugerties, Esopus, and Hurley. Most travelers are taking trips between 10 and 20 miles, followed by 5 – 10 miles, and 1 – 5 miles. The least distance traveled was less than one (1) mile, usually an indicator of potential bike/pedestrian tripes.

DEMOGRAPHICS

The following demographic data is all self-reported from survey participants.

Zip Codes

Zip codes are listed from highest input to least.

  • 12401
  • 12477
  • 12440
  • 12428
  • 12561
  • 12725
  • 12740
Age
  • 16-64 years old: 51%
  • Over the age of 64: 46%
  • Other: 3%
Gender
  • Male: 41%
  • Female: 52%
  • Non-binary: 2%
  • Other: 1%
  • Gender Variant/non-conforming: 2%
  • Transgender: 2%
Racial and Ethnic Background
  • White (non Hispanic or Latino): 80%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native: 1%
  • Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 3%
  • Black or African American: 3%
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 1%
  • Asian: 1%
  • Prefer not to answer: 11%
Identify as a person with a disability
  • Yes: 18%
  • No: 74%
  • Prefer not to answer: 8%
WORKSHOP/BUDGETING EXERCISE

The following workshop results were based on a budgeting exercise for both federal transportation aid spending and federal transit aid spending. Participants were given a budget of $100 to spend on different categories for each exercise. The results below reflect the categories that were given the most “money”.

Federal Transportation Aid top priorities
  1. Expanded shoulders on rural roads
  2. Road surface repair
  3. Sidewalk repair
  4. Active transportation
Federal Transit Aid top priorities
  1. Increase bus service area
  2. Increase bus service frequency
  3. Regional bus service connections
  4. Bus shelter amenities
VISION STATEMENTS

General themes and goals from feedback on a vision for the future of transportation in Ulster County.

  • The desire for expanded and improved public transportation options, including more bus routes, increased frequency, and better connectivity across all areas of Ulster County, including rural areas.
  • The focus is on creating a transportation system that is safe, reliable, and accessible for all residents, including the elderly and disabled.
  • There is a strong emphasis on reducing reliance on personal vehicles, promoting alternative modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and public transit.
  • There are also concerns about road safety, infrastructure maintenance, and the need for better pedestrian and bike infrastructure.
  • The overall vision is for a more sustainable, equitable, and people-focused transportation system that enhances quality of life in Ulster County.