Longmont to receive $1 million

Federal funding will help city launch ride service

Longmont’s forthcoming microtransit service will benefit from $1 million worth of federal funding, Congressman Joe Neguse, D-lafayette, has announced.

A spokesperson for Neguse confirmed Monday that the city would receive the funding as a lump sum investment this year.

The city plans to launch its microtransit service, which will be operated by a third-party vendor, this summer.

At least initially, the service will provide rides to and from places within Longmont’s city limits.

Approximately 15 minutes after requesting a ride — either by calling a number or through an app — a person would be picked up close to their starting location in a clearly branded, six- to eightperson passenger vehicle. While they may have to ride with others, they should make it to their destination within another 15 minutes.

Longmont Transportation Planning Manager Phil Greenwald said in an email Monday that the city put in an application about a year ago for federal funding but was skeptical that the dollars would come to fruition.

“It was a very pleasant surprise for Longmont to receive these dollars, so the city is hoping we can expand service hours and/or service area,” Greenwald said.

The city already secured $450,000 in 2024 as well as $350,000 in both 2025 and 2026 from RTD for its microtransit service. In this year’s budget, the city has set aside approximately $684,000 of its own money for microtransit.

It isn’t clear how much the microtransit service will cost to operate. The city intends to release a request for proposals later this month and will have a better idea of the service’s exact price after selecting a third-party vendor.

It is likely that riders will be

charged a small fee to use the service, mainly to discourage people from canceling rides at the last minute or not showing up for them at all.

“The Longmont microtransit system will improve the quality of life for residents, workers and visitors across the community by connecting these individuals with expanded access to everyday essentials like grocery stores, schools, health care facilities and more,” Neguse said in a release Monday. “This project has the power to make a real difference in the lives of so many in our community, and I am proud to have secured a significant investment for the city of Longmont.”

President Joe Biden signed a set of government funding bills into law Saturday.

In addition to Longmont receiving $1 million for its microtransit service, Erie received $500,000 for transportation improvements.