UCAT Bus Service in Ulster County: Find Your Route, Stop & Live Time
An UCAT bus schedule search usually means Ulster County Area Transit in New York. UCAT connects Kingston, New Paltz, Saugerties, Ellenville, Rosendale, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh and other Ulster County communities.
The system does not use one universal timetable. Each route has its own operating days, departure times, request-only stops and transfer points. Use this guide to find the correct route first, then confirm the official schedule and live bus location before you leave.
How to Find Your UCAT Bus Schedule
Start with the UCAT route name or route code, because service days vary considerably. KPL and UPL operate seven days a week, while routes such as CL and X are weekday-only, and some loops operate only one or two days each week.
UCAT Rider Guide
UCAT Routes, Service Areas & Operating Days
UCAT’s official route directory lists local Kingston service, county routes, links to Poughkeepsie and Newburgh, shopping loops, rural service and seasonal routes.
| Route | Where it goes | Published service days |
|---|---|---|
| 2S | Kingston Local Sunday — Uptown, Midtown and Downtown Kingston | Sunday |
| Blue | City of Kingston, Kingston Point, Development Court, Uptown Kingston | Monday-Saturday |
| CL | SUNY Ulster, New Paltz, connections to Ellenville and Kingston Plaza | Monday-Friday |
| E | Ellenville, Development Court, SUNY Ulster | Monday-Saturday |
| KS | Kingston Plaza to Saugerties Price Chopper area | Monday-Saturday |
| KPL | Kingston–Poughkeepsie Link, including Poughkeepsie Train Station | Monday-Sunday |
| Mall Loop | Town of Ulster shopping area between Tech City and Kohl’s Plaza | Monday-Friday |
| New Paltz Loop | Village and Town of New Paltz | Tuesday and Saturday |
| Port Ewen Loop | Port Ewen, Midtown Kingston and Uptown Kingston | Tuesday and Thursday |
| UPL | Rosendale Park & Ride to Poughkeepsie Train Station | Monday-Sunday |
| X | New Paltz to Newburgh Mall via Route 32 | Monday-Friday |
| Yellow | Kingston, Kingston Inn, Stony Run and Development Court | Monday-Saturday |
| Z | Kingston, Woodstock, Phoenicia, Pine Hill and Belleayre | Monday-Saturday |
| Connections | Timed connection service between major UCAT corridors | Monday-Friday |
| Rural Route | Weekly shopping pickup in designated communities | Monday-Friday by published community schedule |
| Nature Bus | Seasonal access to parks and outdoor destinations | Selected Saturdays, June-September |
| Belleayre Express | Seasonal weekend express to Belleayre Mountain | Winter Saturdays and Sundays |
UCAT Bus Times Depend on the Route and Day
UCAT does not publish one system-wide first or last bus. Some routes begin before 6 AM on weekdays, while limited loops may operate only a few trips on selected days. Weekend schedules can also be substantially different.
How UCAT Timetables Work in Practice
These examples show why the exact route page matters. They are not replacements for the full timetable; they illustrate route timing and service patterns.
2S Kingston Local Sunday
Route 2S began Sunday service on March 1, 2026 and provides daytime travel between Uptown, Midtown and Downtown Kingston.
One published morning trip travels from Stony Run at 8:00 AM to Kingston Point at about 8:45 AM, a scheduled example of roughly 45 minutes through the loop.
Open Route 2S ScheduleKS Kingston–Saugerties
KS connects Kingston Plaza with Saugerties and includes several mall-area stops that operate by request.
On the Saturday schedule, the 8:00 AM Kingston Plaza departure reaches Saugerties Post Office at 8:55 AM — about 55 scheduled minutes.
Open KS ScheduleBlue Route — Kingston
The Blue Route serves Kingston, Kingston Point, Development Court and Uptown Kingston.
The published weekday table shows recurring departures through the day, including evening times. Check the full table because not every timepoint is served on every trip.
Open Blue Route ScheduleYellow Route — Kingston
The weekday Yellow timetable changed on January 20, 2026 to restore additional midday Kingston Plaza service.
On Saturdays, a Kingston Plaza departure at 8:00 AM is shown returning to Kingston Plaza at 8:43 AM after the published loop — about 43 scheduled minutes.
Open Yellow Route ScheduleExample UCAT Travel Corridor
Many county trips require checking both your route and transfer location. This simplified flow shows common UCAT travel points rather than one exact bus route.
UCAT Fixed Routes Are Fare Free
UCAT’s current fare page states that UCAT and its partners provide all routes at no cost to riders. The UCAT route directory also states that fixed routes and demand-responsive services such as paratransit are fare-free.
No regular fixed-route ticket price is charged under UCAT’s current fare policy.
You do not need to calculate a standard adult bus fare before boarding UCAT fixed routes.
The current fare page says demand-responsive services are fare-free, although an older paratransit guide still contains legacy dollar fares.
How to Use the UCAT Live Map
UCAT links directly to a live rider portal where passengers can select a route, view schedule information, receive notifications and locate buses in real time. Use it shortly before leaving because a printed schedule is planned time, while actual bus movement can change.
Some UCAT Stops Require a Request
UCAT is not always a simple fixed-stop city-bus system. Some route schedules mark certain locations as request-only. The KS route is a clear example: mall-area stops can require advance communication with dispatch.
How to Catch a UCAT Bus
UCAT’s rider instructions are different from transit systems where passengers must always board at a marked pole. UCAT tells riders to stand in the direction of travel and hail the bus at a safe point along the route.
Check UCAT Alerts Before Every Trip
UCAT publishes cancellations, construction detours and temporary schedule changes through its website and social updates. Route-specific interruptions may appear with very little notice.
UCAT Holidays With No Bus Service
UCAT’s current route directory states that there is no regular bus service on several major holidays. Do not assume a Saturday or Sunday timetable applies.
Wheelchairs, Ramps & UCAT Paratransit
UCAT fixed-route and paratransit buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps. UCAT also states that many buses can kneel to reduce the step height for boarding.
UCAT Trip Checklist
- Confirm the exact UCAT route name or code.
- Check whether the route operates on your travel day.
- Read the current timetable, not an old screenshot.
- Look for asterisks marking request-only stops.
- Call dispatch in advance when a route requires pickup arrangements.
- Check the UCAT Live Map shortly before leaving.
- Review today’s service alerts and construction notices.
- Reach the pickup point 5-10 minutes early.
- Signal the driver clearly at a safe pickup location.
- Verify your return trip before traveling late in the day.
UCAT Administration, Maintenance & Operations Center
UCAT lists its Administration, Maintenance & Operations Center at 1 Danny Circle, Kingston, NY 12401.
UCAT Official Schedule, Map & Rider Tools
Master route directory showing route descriptions, operating days, seasonal routes and holiday policy.
Open UCAT RoutesSelect a route, locate buses, view schedule information and receive rider notifications.
Open UCAT Live MapUCAT’s current published fare-free policy for fixed and demand-responsive service.
Open Fare InformationBoarding, flagging the bus, bike racks, bags and customer assistance information.
Open How to RideCurrent cancellations, route detours, event changes and temporary service notices.
Open Service AlertsEligibility, application information, visitor service and accessible transportation guidance.
Open ADA InformationCustomer information phone numbers, operations address and agency contacts.
Open About UCATRecent permanent and temporary timetable changes, including Yellow and Sunday Kingston service.
Open UCAT NewsFrequently Asked Questions
What does UCAT stand for?
UCAT stands for Ulster County Area Transit, the public bus system serving Ulster County, New York.
Where can I find the UCAT bus schedule?
Use the official UCAT Routes / Schedules / Maps page, choose your route and then review the timetable for the correct weekday, Saturday or Sunday service.
Are UCAT buses free?
Yes. UCAT’s current fare page says UCAT routes are provided at no cost to riders. The current route directory also describes fixed and demand-responsive service as fare-free.
Does UCAT operate on Sundays?
Some routes do. KPL and UPL operate Monday through Sunday, and Route 2S provides Kingston Local Sunday service. Many other routes do not operate Sundays.
What time do UCAT buses start?
Start time depends on the route and day. Some weekday services start before 6 AM, while limited loops start later. Always check the route-specific timetable.
What time is the last UCAT bus?
There is no single last-bus time for the system. The final departure varies by route, direction, day and stop, so verify your return trip on the route schedule.
Can I track a UCAT bus live?
Yes. UCAT provides an official Live Map and smartphone rider tools that can show route information and bus locations in real time.
Do I need to stand at a UCAT bus stop sign?
UCAT’s rider guidance says passengers should stand in the direction of travel and hail the bus at a safe point along the route. Some routes and locations have more specific pickup instructions, so check the timetable notes.
Do some UCAT stops require advance booking?
Yes. Some schedule locations are marked request-only. For example, the KS schedule instructs riders to contact dispatch in advance for certain mall-area pickups.
Does UCAT offer accessible and paratransit service?
Yes. Fixed-route buses have accessibility equipment such as lifts or ramps, and eligible riders who cannot use fixed-route service because of a disability may apply for ADA paratransit.