2016 is the scheduled end of the current Ulster County railroad operator’s contract but it may not be the end of railroad operations on county owned railroads.  

Ulster County Legislators serving on the Railroad Advisory Committee, expressed concerned with missed opportunities and lost potential concerning the maintenance of the U&D Corridor for the future when they voted unanimously at their September 8th meeting to distribute a Request for Expression of Interest from railroad operators.

The Expression of Interest enables the Railroad Advisory Committee to scope out potential opportunities that may continue in a future bidding process.

“The point is, so far we have not asked any railroad operators if there is any interest in continuing railroad operations in Ulster County after this lease agreement expires,” stated Railroad Advisory Committee Chairman David Donaldson.  

“I look forward to learning what interest there may be,” stated Railroad Advisory Committee member Manna Jo Greene. "This is not a formal request for a proposal.  It's only a request for expression of interest, which may provide some interesting options that we're not yet aware of.  Exploring options for future use of the Ulster & Delaware Corridor can help the Legislature to make more informed decisions moving forward.” 

This Request for Expression of Interest seeks to determine interest in operating any one, or a combination of the scenarios of short segments, long segments, and full segment as well as other reasonable and serious proposals.  

“Future opportunities for the county owned railroad is an economic engine that we can not ignore,” concluded Railroad Advisory Committee Chairman Donaldson.

The request for expression of interest and the history of the railroad operations in Ulster County document will be posted, until the submission due date of November 2, 2015, at the Ulster County Legislature’s website [www.co.ulster.ny.us/legislature].