Could Boulder Give an EcoPass to All Residents?

It looks like the answer is yes. Residents, businesses, and government entities are already paying most of the cost of such a program. We may just need to use our money more efficiently.

Of course, the more people we cover, the more we will have to pay. But the more people we cover, the greater the increase in people who take the bus, the fewer car trips and car pollution, the more people who are able travel to leave their homes for work, school, or just to go out. Currently, the median household in Boulder County spends 47% of their income on housing plus transportation with people who live outside of the City of Boulder spending more than people who live in Boulder itself.

That means that it would not cost that much and not require a lot more service to give everyone in the City of Boulder an EcoPass, but many of the people who need more service and cheaper service live in the smaller cities and in incorporated Boulder County. Personally, I think we could get the biggest bump by giving EcoPasses to people in Layafette. There are lots of people there who already take the bus, but who also live in households with cars because the bus does not go everywhere in a timely manner. Lots of residents of Longmont are almost prisoners in their homes because they can't afford to go anywhere other than work and the grocery store.

This program would prepay for predicted demand. That means more buses would come into service on the same day that the EcoPasses become valid.

There are PDF's online that you can read if you would like more information.

Community Wide EcoPass FAQ

EcoPass Feasibility Study

Nederland is looking for people to help manage their EcoPass program

The County of Boulder is looking for five people to be on the Nederland EcoPass Public Improvement District Advisory Committee. It looks like all members must own property within the district. It sounds like this is a new group, as the location and time of meetings will be determined by the group members and the only information on the committee seems to be on the application which is linked above. For more information contact Jared Hall.

Another committee that might have a transit link is the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness Advisory Board.

An Expanded Lyons Shuttle Returns

The free Boulder-Lyons shuttle started this weekend and will run until August 31. It runs Friday evening through Sunday evening. It runs from the downtown Boulder Transit Center to a loop through downtown Lyons along US 36. The bus serves at least one trailhead, for Lakeridge Trail. Click here for a schedule and map (PDF).

This bus is free for all, but all buses can be free for Lyons residents. If you live in Lyons, call the City of Lyons at 303-823-6622 to find out how to get an RTD EcoPass which is a free pass for all RTD buses and light rail.

First local post

Conor O'Neil's Traditional Irish Pub in downtown Boulder give a lunch discount to anyone with an ecopass. I should find out if they give discounts for other bus passes. The food and atmosphere are pretty good. The service is slow, but friendly.

This is local post as I am now in Boulder. No trains, and there are not going to be as Boulder Station is probably going to be in east Boulder. But the pub is near the downtown bus station and all transit is good and social.

(Meet a new person, ride a bus today.)