November 21, 2023
Grand County Residents Asked to Provide Input on the Future of Public Transportation in the Valley
Winter Park, CO – The Town of Winter Park and The Lift have begun drafting a Five-Year Transit Development Plan, which looks to help provide the necessary information to plan for the future of Public Transportation within the Fraser Valley and Grand County. As part of the Development Plan, a survey has been launched, which seeks input on the future of The Lift’s service and public transportation from residents and visitors throughout Grand County. Results from the survey will help inform a Five-Year Transit Service Plan for the Town.
The survey includes questions on how residents and visitors currently utilize The Lift, areas that could be improved, potential service changes, and new routes or areas of service that should be considered. Project consultants, Fehr & Peers, will use the survey results to inform what residents and visitors would like to see changed in the coming five years, what processes are working well, and what processes could be improved.
The Lift Transit Manager Charles McCarthy commented on the survey, saying, “The most important part of creating a five-year plan for our public transit system is ensuring it works for and continues to improve the lives of our riders and the community. It’s critical we receive feedback from residents, visitors, and other stakeholders to fully understand how people are currently using The Lift, what changes the public would like to see, and what thoughts they have on how the system could operate more smoothly and efficiently. Public involvement in processes, like this study, are vital to the successful implementation of future transit service.”
The Lift was launched in 2016 and serves the communities of Winter Park, Fraser, and Granby, as well as unincorporated areas of Grand County, including Tabernash. Since its initial launch, The Lift has grown to a fleet of 27 full-sized vehicles, which includes three cutaway shuttles. The system has also recently finished the first phase of construction on a new Transit Maintenance Facility, providing The Lift with the infrastructure needed to begin transitioning to an all-electric fleet.
The survey is open now through January 12, 2024. The Five-Year Transit Development Plan is scheduled to be developed through April of 2024 with multiple opportunities for feedback from the community, the Transit Advisory Committee (TAC), and the Winter Park Town Council.
