County Executive Ryan Announces Free Transportation for Those With Vaccine Appointments at the Ulster County POD Site

Posted April 14, 2021

UCAT will offer free rides on fixed routes for anyone seeking a ride to their vaccination appointment with curb-to-curb transportation being made available to seniors over the age of 60 and those with disabilities 

With all residents over the age of 16 eligible for the vaccine, residents can now directly sign up for appointments when they are available at VaccinateUlster.com

KINGSTON, N.Y. -  On the first day of eligibility for residents over the age of 16 to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, County Executive Pat Ryan announced that Ulster Area Transit (UCAT) will be offering free rides to those who have a vaccine appointment along with special curbside pickup for seniors over the age of 60 and those with disabilities to the Ulster County vaccination POD located at the Hudson Valley Mall. In addition, County Executive Ryan announced that available vaccine appointment schedules will now be available for residents to view and sign up for at VaccinateUlster.com. 

“Ulster County will continue to do everything within our power to ensure that the distribution of available vaccines is done in an equitable and accessible way for all residents,” Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said. “Transportation should not be the difference between someone getting or not getting a vaccine. We are proud to offer free rides and curb-to-curb transportation to qualifying residents.”

Starting immediately, UCAT will offer free rides on fixed routes for anyone seeking a ride to their vaccination appointment. UCAT will also accommodate those over the age of 60 and those with disabilities with curb-to-curb transportation. All rides must be reserved in advance by calling (845) 334-8120 between the hours of 9AM and 4PM, Monday through Friday at least one day before their vaccination, and on the Friday before a Monday appointment.

Additionally, due to expanded eligibility, starting today Ulster County will list all available appointments on VaccinateUlster.com along with the County’s various social media channels. Residents are still encouraged to sign up for the email list to receive important information from the Department of Health. 

This week Ulster County received 7,700 doses, with 39.4% of Ulster County residents having received at least their first dose, Ulster County now has the highest percentage of vaccinated residents between Albany and Manhattan.