|
Updated: 8:18 AM Feb 10, 2010
FREX Bus Service Saved, At Least for 2010
Tuesday, Colorado Springs City Council members voted 6 to 2 to extend the life of the Front Range Express, approving the use of funds raised in the sale of nine surplus buses to keep the service running through 2010.
Posted: 8:07 PM Feb 9, 2010Reporter: Leslie Fichera Email Address: LFichera@kktv.com |
|
9 Comments 
Tuesday, Colorado Springs City Council members voted 6 to 2 to extend the life of the Front Range Express, City leaders decided to use the local proceeds from the sales of nine surplus buses to operate FREX service for the remainder of 2010.
Nine extra FREX buses were sold by the city to York County Transportation Authority in Pennsylvania for a total of $1.44 million, an average of $160,000 per bus. Local proceeds amount to about 20 percent of the sale.
Because of budget cuts, FREX was originally slated to stop running daily routes from Colorado Springs to Denver on February 12. Now it will maintain its current schedule without interruption.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), who owns 80 percent of FREX buses, had already approved use of state proceeds to sustain the service for the rest of the year.
“We have a responsibility to the public to make every reasonable effort to maintain the service,” says Craig Blewitt, Interim Transit Services Division Manager.
Transit officials will continue to look for funding options for FREX in 2011 and beyond.
Copies of the bid from the bus sale can be found on the City’s Web site by clicking on the link below, or for a faxed copy please call (719) 385-5910.
Latest Comments
Yeah, about time they actually spent some of the taxpayer's money on the actual taxpayers!!! Plus, most of the cost of operation is paid by the riders. What other metro buses can you say that about? And it's not cheaper to drive when you figure in wear and tear on your car, etc. Federal government pays 50 cents per mile. Multiply that by the 50 to 100 miles each way. Also, nice to be able to relax for that hour each way.
I have been taking the FREX since it has started. The buses are full, especially by the time they get to Monument. These buses provide transportation not only to workers, but also students who live and shop in Colorado Springs. During the summer, the FREX is often used by others who are going to Elitch'. They have had up to 800 passengers in a day with an average of 600. So to say that the Frex is not needed is a lie. The FREX has helped to keep traffic down on I-25, and helps with parking issues in Denver. I would love to have a job closer to home, however, I am just glad to be working, even if it means I have to commute.
They shoulda have restored more local service there are plenty or people in town disabled and not that need to get places after 6 and on weekends
 |
KKTV and our Partners are proud to make Moms life easier…click here for more information |
 |
Click here for more information from our local health care specialists. |
 |
Do you have a story idea? Want to report breaking news? Call our newsroom at (719) 578-0000 or e-mail News@kktv.com. |
 |
Click Here to have KKTV come to your school! |
 |
Watch full episodes of your favorite CBS shows right here on KKTV.com. |
| Latest Blogs |
|
