A first-come, first-served, curb to curb bus service is now available to six towns in the northeast corner of Dutchess County. It's open to all residents, young or old, who schedule a ride at least three days in advance. Our John Wagner has the details.

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DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. -- "You don't have the population density, people live far apart, so in the past, efforts to do transportation out here have not worked out very well," explained Jenny Hansell, executive director at the North East Community Center in Millerton.

After three years with no public transportation, the large, rural northeast section of Dutchess County is getting three years of a Dial-A-Ride bus service. It's thanks to the efforts of the North East Community Center, the Foundation for Community Health and $315,000 in federal and local grants.

"I think this program will allow people an increased sense of freedom, independence, allow people to stop missing medical appointments," said Justin Svingen, the director of North East Dutchess Transportation.

For riders, the price is right: $3.50 one way or $1 for seniors and veterans, but with transit costs rising, other towns like New Windsor are ending their Dial-A-Ride programs after reductions in federal funding, something the northeast region is aware of and will do its best to avoid.

"What I'm hoping is that word gets out and people realize that if we don't use it, we're going to lose it," said Gertrude O'Sullivan of the Foundation for Community Health. "And the way you get re-funded is you have to prove that something is working."

Only around 23,000 residents live in the 300 square miles of the six towns. And before the Dial-A-Ride service began, getting a ride has been very pricey.

"Twenty-three dollars each way," said Millerton resident Mame Astambacke, describing her taxi fare to a regular doctor's appointment.

The limited bus service may keep riders waiting, but they say they'll still be thankful.

"That's okay though, that's a lot better than not being able to go to my doctors and not being able to get the medications and the treatment that I need," said Astambacke.

To start, one bus will be running eight hours a day. If you require a ride when the bus isn't available, the North East Community Center will work as a transportation hub, trying to find residents an alternate service.

"We can say, well, alright, we got the Dial-A-Ride that will take you here and after that, the bus is someplace else, so have a volunteer that can pick you up and bring you there and then there's a taxi service that's not too expensive that can get you home," said Hansell. "And we can put it all together for you and help you navigate all the things that are out there."