GETTING THERE: State cash for transit center looks shaky
It looks unlikely Colorado Springs will receive any state funding for a proposed transit center in the urban renewal area south of downtown, a development likely to make it more difficult for local officials to realize the ambitious project.
The city hoped it would get a $12 million grant from the Colorado Transportation Commission to help fund the $41 million transit center. But on Friday, Stacey Stegman of the Colorado Department of Transportation said it is unlikely the Springs will receive the grant. She said a subcommittee ranked the request ninth among dozens of grant requests, including three previously submitted requests.
The ranking and funding recommendations from the subcommittee will be presented to the Transportation Commission Nov. 19 and 20. The commission will decide in mid-December which transit projects will get funding.
The problem for the Springs: Transit projects are being funded from general fund money made available through Senate Bill 1. It was thought there would be about $65 million for such projects over a three-year period, 2009 through 2011. It now appears. Stegman said, there will be only $16 million.
The drop in state general fund money for transit projects mirrors expected cuts in the broader state transportation budget.
Stegman said the latest predictions for the 2010 fiscal budget are $868 million, down from $997 million in 2009 and $1.3 billion just a couple years ago.
The lower budget is the result of flat revenue from a state gas tax that hasn't been increased in more than 16 years, coupled with declining federal funding for transportation.
Stegman said the projected 2010 CDOT budget will barely support maintenance on the state's roads, let alone funding for new road projects or replacing aging bridges.
The fate of the proposed transit center was always intrinsically linked to the economy.
In addition to the $12 million grant, the project was going to need $2.4 million in matching money from the city, federal grants and a partnership with private developers working in the urban renewal area. All of those funding sources are problematic in the current economic downturn.
Ute Pass Express begins service
The Ute Pass Express, a bus service linking Colorado Springs with towns up Ute Pass on U.S. Highway 24, begins running Monday.
The express bus service offers riders free connecting service to Mountain Metro fixed-route bus service in the city and can be used to connect with FrontRange Express, a commuter bus service to Monument, Castle Rock and Denver.
The Ute Pass Express, funded by a two-year, federal air-quality grant, will operate from two locations in Colorado Springs, the downtown bus terminal and the Interstate 25/Tejon Street Park-n-Ride, and from locations in Manitou Springs, Cascade, Green Mountain Falls and Woodland Park.
Fares will be $4 each way, with a reduced fare of $2.50 for riders going to or coming from Cascade. Users also can purchase multi-ride passes with a discounted price of up to $1 off each way. Passengers not using multi-ride passes will need exact change. Reduced fares of $2 each way are available for senior citizens, children, students, Medicare recipients and people with disabilities. Visit www.mmtransit.com for locations to purchase tickets.
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Tell me your commuter tales. 636-0197 or bill.mckeown@gazette.com
