Mid-Hudson News reports that ridership is up on Ulster County Area Transit buses after fares became free a year ago. Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger brags that ridership is up by about 18 percent. Metzger said, “Most of our funding for our bus system is federal and state funds, and that state funding is tied to the number of riders you have. So, when we increase ridership, we increase the funding available to expand routes and service.” The bus fares ended Oct. 1 last year in Ulster County. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.