Additional routes starting on December 30
The Eagle Valley Transportation Authority (EVTA) and ECO Transit have more good news for our community. The agencies are working together to roll out more buses on both the Highway 6 and Valley winter routes beginning this Saturday, December 30th. These additional buses will increase our community's access to public transportation, a key strategic priority of the EVTA and ECO Transit.
The additional services include (and are also available online www.eaglecounty.us/busschedules):
Valley Express Enhancements Starting December 30th
Two Valley Express morning peak buses—a 6:40 a.m. bus leaving from Eagle Valley High School, stopping at the Chambers Park-n-Ride at 6:55 and then continuing to the Vail Transportation Center; and a 7:55 a.m. express from Chambers Park-n-Ride directly to the Vail Transportation Center.
Valley West Express will also have an additional peak afternoon bus—called a shadow bus—available when needed to alleviate overcrowding.
Highway 6 Enhancements Starting December 30th
Two Highway 6 morning peak buses—a 6:30 a.m. express bus from Edwards to Vail; and a 6:18 a.m. bus between Edwards, Avon, Eagle-Vail and Vail.
Two Highway 6 afternoon peak buses—a 4:10 p.m. peak express bus from Vail to Edwards; and a 4:20 p.m. bus between Vail, Eagle-Vail, Avon and Edwards.
In addition to the new departure times, both the morning and afternoon routes will have shadow busses (one available in the morning and two in the afternoon) available to assist with overcrowding when needed.
“We’re pleased to continue our work of increasing access to public transportation through fare reductions and service enhancements. We will continue our systematical approach to these types of improvements based on data, community feedback and ensuring we have the staff and busses to deliver on the improvements,” said Larry Tenenholz, acting director of ECO Transit.
When the ECO Transit winter service schedule launched in November, riders were greeted by three important service enhancements—a 25 percent reduction in standard ECO Transit fares, fare-free service on the Vail-Beaver Creek Express and more buses on the Highway 6 route, ECO’s busiest service.
The most visible piece of these enhancements is the free service on the Vail-Beaver Creek Express. Through a partnership with transit provider SP+, ECO Transit and EVTA were able to launch this service that connects ECO’s two busiest stops – the Vail Transportation Center and Avon Station – with the employment and activity centers of Beaver Creek Village and Lionshead Village.
From preliminary numbers, ridership of the Vail-Beaver Creek Express is exceeding expectations and is likely accomplishing the goals of this service—helping local riders get to their destinations using fewer cars and alleviating overcrowded busses along the Highway 6 route. Staff are currently working to launch a short survey to learn more about who is riding the route and what their satisfaction is now that it is free and more frequent.
“It’s the EVTA’s goal that these buses will continue to increase ridership and reduce traffic during the winter season. We hope that our riders find these service improvements beneficial and that all of these services—from the Vail-Beaver Creek Express to the Valley Route—will allow EVTA to continue expanding transit options across the Valley to fulfill our promise to voters when they approved this new transportation agency,” said Amy Phillips, EVTA’s board chair and mayor of Avon.