NO CHARGE: Who Gets a Free Ride on Dutchess County Transit?

Public transit options are probably something that we don't take advantage of or pay attention to as much as we should. For some, this is a primary means of transportation throughout the Hudson Valley, and for others, they may not realize that they are able to access reduced fares, or no fares at all when it comes to Dutchess County Transit.

Dutchess County Public Transit

There are several different routes offered by the Dutchess County Public Transit, with busses running seven days a week in and around various areas of Poughkeepsie, from Poughkeepsie to Fishkill, Beacon, Tivoli, Dover, Pawling, Beacon, Beacon to Hopewell Junction, and even from Dutchess Community College to the Poughkeepsie Train Station.

Each of these different lines has various routes and stops along the way, covering more areas than just the point of origin and final destination.

Full fare for a single ride is $1.75 one way, with reduced fare options, multi-ride tickets, and anytime tickets, and can be purchased online, on the bus itself, via mail, or at the Public Transit Bus facility in Poughkeepsie.

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Local College Students Have Access To Reduced/Free Dutchess County Transit

Many are aware of the fact that a college student ID can score you some decent discounts and benefits, but perhaps free transit wasn't one of those benefits you knew about.

For Dutchess Community College students with a valid 2023/2024 student ID, they are permitted to ride any of the regularly scheduled routes on Dutchess County Public Transportation at no cost. They do need to have an updated bus sticker from the Security Office at DCC on their ID card as well.

In addition to Dutchess Community College students, passengers with a valid college ID from other schools have access to a reduced fare as well.

On the other side of the river, the Ulster County Area Transit, or UCAT, has lifted all fares effective October 2022, and they also offer the New Paltz loop in and around town for all SUNY New Paltz students, faculty and staff without charge with a valid SUNY New Paltz ID.