John Ferro

Poughkeepsie Journal

Tom Price is a 50-year-old disabled City of Poughkeepsie resident who relies on buses to get around.

Right now, city-operated buses pass close by his home on Hooker Avenue.

But there is no telling what those routes may look like next year, in light of Mayor Rob Rolison's controversial proposal to end city-operated service and have the county take over.

"I am concerned about what is being proposed because of the accessibility of city buses, even though I know they are losing money," Price said.

Rolison has proposed shutting down city service midway through 2017. And Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro has proposed a budget that would fund new routes in the city.

Both ideas would need approvals from their respective legislative bodies.

The county has begun gathering comments from city residents like Price to inform a recommendation for new routes through the city. One such meeting was held Saturday at the Family Partnership Center.

City finances are tight. Rolison has proposed a budget that would increase the amount collected from property taxes by 16.5 percent. Meanwhile, he said Saturday, ridership on city-operated buses was down significantly in 2015 and is expected to fall again this year.

By having the county take over, Rolison believes the city would save money. City property owners, he points out, are the only property-taxpayers in Dutchess who subsidize the two systems.

And while some have suggested raising city fares 25 cents, Rolison said such a move would increase revenue by $64,000 — far less than what would be needed to provide seven-day-a-week service or other changes that many residents want.

"At the end of the day," he said, "someone has to pay for this."

Many city residents are opposed to any integration.

Sheila Drew, 81, said she finds city buses offer a better quality of service than the county ones. And she believes a city-run service would be more responsive to residents' needs.

"We can go down to or call city hall if we are unhappy," she said.

Dutchess County Transit Administrator Cynthia Ruiz said the goal is to have the recommendation to the city by the end of the year. But before that happens, the recommended routes and schedules will be offered up again for public comment.

Amelia Miller, a 43-year-old city resident, suggested officials gather feedback from riders on the buses, either in person or through fliers with postage-paid envelopes.

"You can't get emotional about money," Miller said. "A lot of times, when we come into situations like this, nobody wants to listen to the facts. They want to focus on their individual needs. We have to start thinking a little bit bigger than that."

John Ferro: 845-437-4816; jferro@poughkeepsiejournal.com; Twitter: @PoJoEnviro