Ute Pass Express Eases Morning Commute

By Stephanie Wurtzs.wurtz@krdo.com

COLORADO SPRINGS – The commute just got easier for thousands of drivers in the Pikes Peak Region. The first Ute Pass Express bus arrived just in time for the Monday morning drive. The shuttle makes two stops in downtown Colorado Springs: at the terminal at Nevada and Kiowa and at the I-25 and Tejon park and ride lot.

Then, the Ute Pass Express continues on to Manitou Springs, Cascade, Green Mountain Falls and Woodland Park. It’s aimed at easing the ride for commuters. “I just don’t want to drive it,” says Cindy Eller, who rode the shuttle Monday, “I want to ride.” Eller has been commuting from Woodland Park to her job in Colorado Springs for about a year.

“I think it’s a waste of my time and I’ve spent a lot of money on gas,” Eller says. Now, for $4 each way, you can catch a ride on the Ute Pass Express. It’s got reclining seats, reading lights and free wireless Internet.

“It’s geared toward morning peak commuters, coming down the pass to Colorado Springs,” says David Mentor with Mountain Metropolitan Transit, “and late in the afternoon, coming back up the pass.”

We talked with one rider who’s taking the Ute Pass Express as part of his 72-mile commute from Divide out to Falcon. “A lot of people have been commuting longer than I have,” Eller says, “they’ve been really looking forward to this for a long time.”

“It will help reduce congestion on the road and help improve air quality,” Mentor says. Mountain Metropolitan Transit says the Ute Pass Express could reduce half a million one-way trips on Highway 24 each year. “It’ll save my car wear and tear,” says Eller, “and I was putting a lot of miles on my car.”

Even though gas prices are down right now, passengers Monday say they’re just happy not to have to navigate the pass everyday. The Ute Pass Express is funded for the next two years through grant money to see whether enough people use the route. Click here for fare and route information.