Bringing Transportation to Western Putnam County 7/30/2026 - Putnam County Government, New York

This Putnam County Government meeting held on July 30, 2026, focused on expanding public transportation services to the western side of Putnam County, specifically Putnam Valley and Philipstown. The county executive announced plans to fund two new microtransit zones through the existing Putnam On Demand app-based service in the 2027 executive budget. This initiative follows a comprehensive transit study conducted by Labella Associates, which included community surveys and stakeholder interviews highlighting the need for improved transit coverage. The proposed expansion aims to enhance ridership, regional connectivity, and rider experience, particularly benefiting seniors, people with disabilities, and residents without other transportation options. The meeting included endorsements from local officials, residents, and contracted transit providers VIA and MV, emphasizing the importance of legislative approval for budget allocation and the leveraging of federal and state funding to offset costs. Additional recommendations from the study include increasing fixed-route service frequency and improving bus stop amenities.