Gunnison receives grant for bus travel
to Denver

GUNNISON — Students and residents in Gunnison will have another option for travel to Denver, as the Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority was awarded a grant to provide regular bus services between the two locations.

Two years ago, the area was stripped of Greyhound services to Denver when the company underwent a national reorganization of its bus routes.

Since the decision, Scott Truex, head of GVRTA, has been working on a solution. That solution came last week when Colorado Department of Transportation awarded the group with a $189,000 grant.

“They took away a valuable option for students (when the service ceased). This will be an incredible opportunity for students to have another option for travel to and from Denver,” said Janice Lung, Western State College director of housing and resident life.

The Inter City Bus Fund grant is federal money regulated by CDOT, Truex said. GVRTA is currently looking for companies to provide busing, which is expected to run five days a week.

As of Thursday, Alpine Express has been the only company to show interest, he said. Applicants must provide a budget and will be chosen “if the price is right.”

Truex is hoping to charge passengers 10 cents per mile and estimated a one-way ticket to cost about $22. Tickets can be purchased through Greyhound.

In addition to the federal grant, he Gunnison community has contributed funding. Truex said a “slew” of partners, including Western State College, have offered a total of $43,000.

“Obviously there is a fair amount of need. Financial backing from the college shows there is a high priority,” he said, adding the majority of passengers would most likely be students.

The goal is to have the service running by  2008, but several obstacles still exist, Truex said. GVRTA is working with its partners to hash out details.

“We need to get a resolution passed and the contract with CDOT,” he said.

RTA also has to comply with terms of the grant, which require the local service to establish a meaningful connection to the national bus system.

He said the route would provide transportation to the Denver bus station and is determining if transportation to Denver International Airport is plausible.

“We’re excited to get it going and we have pretty aggressive deadlines,” he said.