TRR photo by David Hulse (Click for larger image)

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO - Local officials are pictured Thursday as they joined about 30 persons on hand for ribbon cutting ceremonies and the first run of the new Catskill Transit Bus line.

Owners and Monticello natives Tony Leach and Stephanie Smart had to fight opposition from local cab companies and the regional Short Line bus lines to win state approval for the line to serve the village and its outskirts in the Town of Thompson.

The bus makes an hour-long loop run from the apartment complexes near Monticello High School on Route 42, into town to the government center, onto Broadway with nine stops then onto Route 42 again, out to Ames Plaza and Wal-Mart, then back into town and west to Monticello Raceway and out to Kinnebrook Mobile Home Park on 17B, before returning to its starting point near the school at Sleepy Hollow.

Fares are $1.50 for adults, $1 for seniors and students. Children ride for $.50 and toddlers and infants ride free.

The bus will run from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and from 7:00 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. There is no service on Sunday.