Bus to Santa Fe ski basin a permanent service
The bus route to the Santa Fe ski basin is now a permanent service, both in winter and summer, the North Central Regional Transit District announced Wednesday.
The 255 RTD Mountain Trail route, which begins at the South Capitol Rail Runner Express station, started as a pilot service in September 2015.
Before heading up Hyde Park Road, the bus makes stops downtown, including at hotels to accommodate visitors.
Stops on the route are provided at some hiking trails, picnic areas and campgrounds, as well as the Ten Thousand Waves spa and Ski Santa Fe.
Passengers can also just ride for the views along the 16-mile nationally designated Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway.
When Ski Santa Fe is open, the bus route provides three round trips Monday through Friday and seven round trips on Saturday and Sunday, according to the North Central Regional Transit District said. When the ski area is closed, there are two round trips on weekdays and three on weekends.
The bus can accommodate six bikes per trip during the non-ski season. Bike slots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Ski and snowboard racks are provided for the winter season.
The bus route initially provided service from Sept. 20, 2015, to April 3, 2016. It was restarted July 1. From that date through March, the route provided nearly 5,300 rides, or about 19 a day, according to data provided by the North Central Regional Transit District.
The charge for a ride outbound from the city is $5, according to
the transit district. A return trip is $5 in the winter, but there is no return charge for customers of Ten Thousand Waves. All inbound rides are free in the summer. A bus rider can receive a $5 discount at both Ski Santa Fe and Ten Thousand Waves.
The startup of the route and its continued operation have been funded by public and private sources.
The city of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County have each contributed $50,000, according to the transit district. Ski Santa Fe has donated $30,000 to the general fund of the North Central Regional Transit District. The transit district and the Rio Metro Regional Transit District, which operates the Rail Runner passenger trains, have kicked in $30,000 each.
The continued funding from private and public sources is critical to the operation of the route on an annual basis, the North Central Regional Transit District said. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, a federal grant of $48,000 will help fund operating costs.
Anthony Mortillaro, executive director of the transit district, thanked the private and public backers and community supporters of the route.
“Their broad support and interest in making it a continuing service helped to drive ridership among users through the pilot,” Mortillaro said in a news release.
Free parking for the mountain route is available at the South Capitol station and Fort Marcy Park.