Core Transit extends fare-free program for kids

Kids will continue to ride for free on Core Transit through the end of the winter season.

The Core Transit board unanimously approved extending its fare-free program for youth 18 and under through April 11 during its Wednesday meeting.

While the majority of Core Transit’s system is fare-free, riders boarding or departing in Gypsum and Leadville are still required to pay. Gypsum riders pay $3 for a one-way trip, while Leadville riders pay $7 one-way.

This is because Eagle County voters everywhere except Gypsum passed the ballot measure that created the Eagle Valley Transportation Authority in November 2022, which allotted an additional 0.5% sales tax toward transit on top of Eagle County’s 0.5% trails and transit sales tax. Leadville was not involved in the ballot measure.

Last fall, Core Transit received a state grant of $117,000 to provide Core Transit services for free throughout the system for all youth, including those going to and from Gypsum and Leadville. The one-year program, which started in November, is set to expire at the end of the month. The state did not renew the grant funding this year.

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“We have … seen tremendous value in this program,” said Tanya Allen, Core Transit’s executive director. “We’ve seen some increase in ridership, approximately 15 to 20 percent increase in youth ridership, but I think what we’ve really heard is a lot of positive feedback about how this is increasing youth mobility, removing barriers, introducing young people to transit and really creating future customers for our service.”

Allen said she has begun conversations with Gypsum and Leadville about the town and city contributing funding to keep the program running, but neither has agreed to commit any dollars yet. “I’m optimistic they might,” Allen said.

Allen asked the board to use its own funds to extend the program through the end of Core Transit’s winter season, which wraps up on April 11.

The funds would come from “what is effectively an overage from that $117,000 (grant),” Allen said.

“The way I’m looking at this is, absent any of this, our … budgeted fare revenue for 2025 was $249,600,” Allen said. “That included an assumption that some youth fares would be in there. Our projected fare revenue … at this point is coming in below that … by approximately $40,000.”

Core Transit currently plans to spend $23.2 million from its general fund in 2026. The $40,000 from 2025 will be earmarked to replace youth fares through the end of the winter season in 2026.

Allen suggested the board come back together in January to reevaluate its youth fare policy, along with the current fare structure, to determine long-term strategies for both.

Barry Davis, board member and town of Vail representative, spoke in favor of the program’s extension.

“We’re training people to use the bus, so that the bus continues to be the easiest choice,” Davis said. “It’s much easier to take these people that do not have as many transportation choices, (and) make them dedicated users of the service than it is to convert someone who is already tied to their current transportation habits.”

Getting kids on board with riding the bus may make it easier way to change their parents’ behavioral patterns, as well, he said.

“I don’t know how it is in your house, but my kid tells me what to do all the time. If we can get enough families that are learning about how to use this fast, easy, convenient service from their kids, this is a blue ocean of opportunity for us,” Davis said.

Dave Eickholt, board member and Beaver Creek representative, voted in favor of the measure despite being hesitant to offer services to the areas that do not contribute dollars to the additional half-cent sales tax.

“I agree with that thought process. I also am tempered by the fact that there should be no free lunches,” Eickholt said.