Mid-Hudson News reports that the Ulster County legislature voted Aug. 16 to eliminate fares on its bus service. The Ulster County Area Transit system will now be free to riders. Democrats voted to eliminate the fares, Republicans voted to keep them. “This gives us the opportunity to actually increase ridership in a way that we never really considered before, and I do believe that the increase of ridership will result in an increase in routes,” said Eve Walter, a New Paltz Democrat, to a Republican colleague complaining about a lack of bus service in his area. “We’re all feeling the pressure due to rising costs, especially our lower income communities, vulnerable populations, and seniors on fixed incomes. At a time when every bill and receipt is higher, Ulster County is stepping up and taking aggressive action to provide urgent relief to our residents. Reducing transportation costs will allow people to have one less thing to worry about,” said County Executive Pat Ryan. Read the full story at Mid-Hudson News.