Commuting
From Roaring Fork Wiki
Commuting in the Valley
Folks from large urban communities may be surprised to learn that our area, in spite of its rural charm, has a rush hour. Our traffic volume may seem small to hardened urban commuters. Nevertheless, many local drivers find themselves in long lines of stop-and-go traffic each weekday morning and evening.
The frustration from losing valuable time becomes more acute during major road construction projects, when traffic on highway 82 in Glenwood Springs can be backed up for miles. The commuters’ corridor stretches all the way from Rifle to Aspen. Some workers drive up the valley from as far away as Parachute.
Along with the congestion, rising gas prices are bringing more awareness of the alternatives to driving alone. We are fortunate to have RFTA, our public transportation system. It runs seven days a week. The Grand Hogback route travels between Rifle and Glenwood Springs, with stops in Silt and New Castle. Roaring Fork Valley buses serve Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Basalt, Snowmass, and Aspen.
Each weekday morning, folks from all walks of life convene at the RFTA bus stops. Students, laborers, service workers, and professionals get a relaxing ride, a chance to make new friends, and more. Riding the bus instead of driving alone saves a lot of money. It also conserves fuel, reduces traffic congestion, and reduces pollution.
For additional savings, punch passes and monthly passes are available.
During the summer, RFTA buses have bike racks. There is an extra fare for carrying a bicyle, and bikes can only be loaded and unloaded at certain designated stops. In the winter, the buses have ski racks.
Recently, Ride Glenwood, the local bus service in Glenwood Springs, became a free service.
Here are some links of interest to commuters.
http://www.rfta.com Roaring Fork Transit Authority -- This site includes maps of the bus routes, and fare information.
http://www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us City of Glenwood Springs -- This site has a transportation section, including maps of the bike paths and carpooling information.
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