Public Transportation
Date posted: 08/03/2006
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According to the 2000 United States Census, public transportation was used 0.9% of the time as a means of travel to work in Larimer County. This page measures the use of public transportation by ridership, determined by counting every person who rides on the bus each and every time they ride. In other words, ridership figures indicate the number of rides taken in a given time period, not how many people from the general population are using public transportation.
What this chart shows: Public Transportation Ridership of Larimer County Communities
Data Sources:
- City of Fort Collins Transportation Department
- City of Loveland Transportation Department
- Estes Park Transportation Department
What these data tell us:
From 2000 to 2004, both the Loveland and Fort Collins transit systems had decreased ridership numbers (by 40% and 14.2% respectively); however, Estes Park ridership increased 76.6%. The Special Transit system first opened in Estes Park in 1999, and ridership has increased each subsequent year as knowledge of the service spread. Nonetheless, while demand for public transportation may continue to increase in Estes Park, ridership numbers will plateau if transportation resources remain the same.Foxtrot is a regional transit service that provides connecting public transportation between Fort Collins and Loveland. Rates are unavailable because of an inability to pinpoint population figures, however, ridership increased 51% from 2000 (68,081 rides) to 2003 (102,648 rides).
What this chart shows: Selected Characteristics of Transfort Passengers
Data Source: City of Fort Collins Transportation Department
What these data tell us:
From 2001 to 2005, ridership remained fairly stable for senior and disabled populations using Transfort. Comparatively, the percentage of Colorado State University students riding Transfort increased 8% over five years, while the percentage of youth ridership increased 7% (see data table). The high percentages of college students and youth could be due partly to free fares afforded to these two groups. Youth 17 and under ride for free, while Colorado State University students ride free with a student pass. These student passes are made available due to the funding that Transfort receives from the University through ASCSU (Associated Students of Colorado State University).While not tracked as thoroughly, staff report 78% of all passengers who use Estes Park regional public transportation are seniors, and 25% are physically disabled. These percentages are both higher than riders with the same characteristics who use Fort Collins public transportation.
What this chart shows: Origin of Rides on Larimer County Rural Transportation
Data Source: Northern Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization - Health & Human Services Community Partnership Year End Report, 2003
What these data tell us:
The Larimer County Northern Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) operates the Larimer County Rural Transportation Program, which provides area transportation to residents living outside urban Fort Collins and Loveland. The services are provided by Fort Collins Dial-A-Ride, City of Loveland Transit (COLT), and Berthoud Area Transportation Service (BATS). Riders qualify to participate based on their residence, and age or income group. To determine if you live in an area that is serviced by the Rural Transportation Program, see the NFRMPO's map of rural boundaries, or contact the programs (DAR, COLT, or BATS) directly.Additional Information:
On Compass -
- Ambient Air Quality
- Vehicle Miles Traveled
- Vehicle Registration
- Vehicles Available Per Household
- Work Commute
Outside Compass -
- Berthoud Transportation Committee - scroll down for BATS information
- City of Fort Collins Alternative Transportation- Smart Trips
- City of Fort Collins Dial-A-Ride
- North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Transfort - City of Fort Collins Department of Public Transportation
Standards or Targets: N/A
Data Tables:
Public Transportation Ridership
|
Jitterbus/Tango - Loveland |
Special Transit - Estes Park |
Transfort - Fort Collins |
||||
|
Riders |
Rate |
Riders |
Rate |
Riders |
Rate |
|
|
2000 |
89,332 |
1,765 |
2,430 |
449 |
1,545,672 |
13,027 |
|
2001 |
82,201 |
1,541 |
3,863 |
693 |
1,616,328 |
13,192 |
|
2002 |
70,357 |
1,282 |
4,257 |
764 |
1,471,911 |
11,829 |
|
2003 |
53,598 |
959 |
3,966 |
711 |
1,504,683 |
11,993 |
|
2004 |
59,934 |
1,043 |
4,524 |
793 |
1,418,102 |
11,175 |
Characteristics of Transfort Passengers (Fort Collins)
|
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
||||||
|
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
|
|
Colorado State University students |
528,551 |
32.7% |
558,695 |
38.0% |
562,670 |
37.4% |
510,597 |
36.0% |
525,545 |
35.5% |
|
Disabled |
163,589 |
10.1% |
153,759 |
10.4% |
153,119 |
10.2% |
116,864 |
8.2% |
142,456 |
9.6% |
|
Seniors |
49,742 |
3.1% |
40,423 |
2.7% |
49,104 |
3.3% |
64,245 |
4.5% |
63,422 |
4.3% |
|
Youth |
380,228 |
23.5% |
311,154 |
21.1% |
324,091 |
21.5% |
350,622 |
24.7% |
374,361 |
25.3% |
Origin of Rides on Larimer County Rural Transportation, 2003
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Berthoud |
3544 |
63% |
|
Estes Park |
0 |
0% |
|
Fort Collins |
1365 |
24% |
|
LaPorte |
284 |
5% |
|
Loveland |
287 |
5% |
|
Timnath |
0 |
0% |
|
Wellington |
141 |
3% |
|
Other Larimer County |
0 |
0% |
|
Unknown |
0 |
0% |