U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $1.9 Million for Colorado Bus Services

Colorado River Valley residents and commuters will benefit from improved bus service thanks to a $1.9 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced today.

The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority will use the grant to purchase land in West Glenwood Springs and in Carbondale for the construction of two park-and-ride facilities. Each facility will provide residents and adjacent communities with nearby parking spaces and improved bus access between Rifle, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, and Aspen.  

 “Providing nearby transit services is vital to Colorado River Valley residents,” said Secretary Mineta.  “Today’s investment demonstrates the Bush Administration’s dedication to provide hardworking Americans with the transit services they need to access jobs and keep the economy moving,”

While the city of Aspen provides Colorado residents with employment opportunities in and around its resort areas, the area’s high cost of living poses challenges for many lower-income workers. These workers often choose to live in the Colorado Valley where the cost-of-living is more manageable. As a result roadways like State Highway 82, which connects the Colorado River Valley to Aspen, are severely congested from commuters struggling to access transit services or driving long distances to get to work.

Equipped with 160 parking spaces and bus shelters, the facilities will provide an improved alternative to existing informal park-and-rides at the SH 82/Highway 133 intersection in Carbondale and the Glenwood Mall. Both of the new facilities in Carbondale are scheduled to open in November of 2005.