MONTICELLO, NY — Move Sullivan, the county’s public bus service, will have two new routes and bigger buses. 

The legislature voted on June 20 to expand the free service to include Liberty and Monticello shuttles, and an additional route that will go through Livingston Manor, Jeffersonville, Roscoe, Callicoon Center and Youngsville. 

Move Sullivan currently runs buses from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Liberty, Fallsburg, Monticello, Swan Lake and Mongaup Valley. 

Laura Quigley, the Sullivan County Division of Community Resources commissioner, presented the budget for the program expansion to the legislature during its executive session. The proposed budget includes a renewed 18-month contract with Rolling V Bus Corporation, which supplies the buses, and two larger buses.

Ridership from January to May increased more than 71 percent from that same time period in 2023, Quigley said. 

The points of expansion were decided based on a countywide survey. Fifty-one percent of the country’s population lives in Monticello, Liberty and Fallsburg. Most of the responses came from Monticello and Liberty residents asking for a timelier shuttle. One resident complained about having to wait for three hours at the library before Move Sullivan returned to pick them up. 

Livingston Manor and Jeffersonville residents also asked for service in their areas. 

Move Sullivan does not serve Tusten or Highland, which are on the list for future expansions. Quigley said other possible expansions include weekend and evening service, runs to shelters and coordination with Garnet Health.