Starting Nov. 3 Springs Transit is changing its name to Mountain Metropolitan Transit and expanding service to Falcon and other areas and adding a Sunday route.The new name better reflects the inclusion of outlying areas and the added services, which is the first phase of an overhaul of the system, according to a September news release.The expanded service plan includes a new Sunday service for select routes beginning Nov. 6 and increased times on Saturday and during the week. The first phase includes three new commuter express routes (two are from Falcon), an additional seven new buses and a remodel of the downtown terminal.There will be nine transfer stations positioned throughout the region, eliminating the need for a downtown stop for many of the riders.Details:The nine transfer stations:Astrozon (Astrozon and Academy)Austin Bluffs/Academy (Morning Sun and Academy)Chapel Hills Mall (Near Sears)Citadel Mall (Santa Rosa and Citadel Dr. W.)Downtown (Kiowa and Nevada)First and Main Town Center (Tutt Blvd.)Fountain (Wal-Mart)Pikes Peak Community College (S. Academy Blvd.)University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (Austin Bluffs and Meadow Lane)Sunday Service: hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. on select routesExtended Saturday Service: hours from 5:30 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.Express Routes: The three express routes include Falcon to Downtown, Falcon to Garden of the Gods and Union Town Center to downtown. Express routes have fewer stops, allowing for faster arrival times.The Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority is funding many of the new services in coordination with the city of Colorado Springs and the Federal Transit Administration.The PPRTA formed as a result of a 2004 vote approving a 1 percent sales tax increase for infrastructure and transportation needs. Ten percent of the funds go to transit needs.”The implementation of these new services is just the beginning of what the region can expect to see over the next three years,” said Sherre Ritenour, the Colorado Springs Transit Services Division Manager.For more information about the improved transit services, please call (719) 385-5902.The Falcon service bus service will run from the Safeway parking lot. The morning schedule: 5:20 a.m.; 5:50 a.m.; 6:20 a.m.; 6:50 a.m.Afternoon: 3:45 p.m.; 4:15 p.m.; 4:53 p.m.; 5:23 p.m.Stops – the Citadel and the downtown terminalCost $2 one way
