The Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority added $1.68 million to the $6.32 million allotted from the Colorado Department of Transportation for the purchase of 16 new buses that will provide commuter service along the I-25 corridor, between Fountain, Colorado Springs, Monument, Castle Rock and the Denver Metro area.An ad-hoc group of the Colorado Transportation Commission, the Strategic Transit Task Force, recommended the $8 million project as part of expanding the Front Range Express, which is the only commuter service connecting the Pikes Peak Region with the Denver Metro area. After only 20 months of service, FREX has surpassed initial ridership projections, with approximately 625 one-way trips per day, which is a significant step towards reducing traffic along the congested I-25 corridor and improving mobility options and air quality. The new bus fleet will provide express commuter service five days per week (M-F) from 3:45 am to 9:45 pm.The federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program is currently funding the FREX pilot project through December 2006. Operating funds from local entities along the Front Range are required on an annual basis to allow FREX to continue beyond 2007.Sherre Ritenour, transit services division manager, said, “FREX provides an invaluable public transportation connection between the Colorado Springs and Denver Metro areas. It has far surpassed our expectations and we are pleased to be able to continue transit service to Front Range commuters.”
