HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORK SESSION SUMMARY-10/28/2025-Work Session (4)Transfort
250 N. Mason
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522
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WORK SESSION MEMORANDUM
Date: November 3, 2025
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Caryn Champine, PDT Director
From: Kaley Zeisel, Transfort Director
Steven Zupparo, Sr. Transit Manager
Subject: October 28, 2025 Work Session Summary: Transfort Optimization Plan
BOTTOM LINE
The purpose of this memo is to document the summary of discussions during the October 28,
2025 Work Session. All Councilmembers were present. Councilmember Pignataro attended
remotely.
DISCUSSION SUMMARY
The Transfort Optimization Plan was presented as a fiscally constrained, short-range service
plan that advances the City’s long-term Transit Master Plan. The plan maintains a fare-free,
equitable system while aligning service with post-pandemic travel patterns, rising costs, and
available funding. It emphasizes reliability, simplicity, and financial sustainability through a more
efficient, data-driven network.
Staff explained that, consistent with national trends, transit expenses have increased roughly 50
percent since 2019, primarily due to personnel, maintenance, and contracted services, while
revenue growth has not kept pace. The 2050 tax has temporarily supported operations, and
beginning in 2026, new state funding from Senate Bill 230 is expected to provide $2–3 million
annually for transit enhancements.
The plan was informed by extensive community engagement with residents and key partners,
including CSU, Poudre School District, and organizations representing older adults, people with
disabilities, and underserved populations. Public feedback prioritized frequency over coverage,
reliable and simple routes, improved safety, and expanded evening and weekend service. Three
network scenarios were evaluated, with strongest support for a high-frequency, corridor-based
design. The final recommendation blends those elements with equity considerations to form a
layered network emphasizing frequent, core, and local routes.
Because Dial-A-Ride boundaries mirror fixed routes, the streamlined network results in a
smaller paratransit area. Existing riders outside the new area will be legacied in, and the Dial-A-
Taxi program will expand to provide daily, on-demand trips within the Growth Management Area
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through $15 vouchers. To be consistent with fixed route service, no Dial-A-Ride service will be
offered on Sundays though taxi vouchers will provide alternative access.
Safety and security enhancements remain a priority. Due to difficulties hiring Transit Service
Officers, Transfort is implementing a hybrid approach with Police Services’ HOPE and Mental
Health Response teams, using the SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment) model
to identify and address safety concerns through environmental, operational, and training
measures.
Councilmembers expressed appreciation for staff’s thorough work and raised questions about
equity, funding, safety, and rider support. Discussion focused on reduced service in southwest
Fort Collins, access for affordable housing areas and Front Range Community College, and the
importance of maintaining equitable coverage to the degree possible. Staff explained that route
changes were guided by ridership and productivity, additional equity-related data, best practice
research, and community outreach, but noted opportunities for future adjustments. Council also
discussed Dial-A-Ride eligibility, impact mitigation strategies, and use of the 2050 Transit Sales
Tax, requesting additional detail on inflation escalators for general fund, planned use of the
2050 Transit Sales Tax, and details of current and future service levels.
Staff noted that ridership is trending upward, with projections rising from 2.6 million in 2024, to
3.35 million projected for post-optimization implementation. Councilmembers emphasized
continued collaboration with CSU, inclusion of Front Range Community College, and the
eventual restoration of Sunday service. Questions about Transit Service Officer staffing and
integration with the West Elizabeth Bus Rapid Transit project were also discussed.
Overall, Council recognized the Optimization Plan as a thoughtful, data-driven approach that
balances fiscal constraints with the City’s goals for equity, reliability, and sustainability, and
supported the principles and design priorities guiding the future network.
NEXT STEPS
Staff will begin the final public outreach phase of the project and begin preparing for
implementation in 2027.
FOLLOW-UP ITEMS
1. Information for use of remaining 2050 Transit Sales Tax: The optimization study aims to
balance support for a functional Transfort system with the use of 2050 Transit Sales Tax
funds. The final recommended scenario is estimated to require approximately $2M-
$2.5M in ongoing 2050 Transit Sales Tax dollars. In addition to the 2050 Transit Sales
Tax ongoing use, approximately $500k is used on a yearly basis as local match for other
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formula grant funds. Prior to 2025, these local match requirements were met by the
General Fund. This recommendation is also intended to cover unknowns such as
continued cost increases due to economic factors.
In summary, staff estimates that $2.5M - $3M of the 2050 Tax Transit will be used on a
yearly basis to support post-Optimization Study operations and formula grant local
match requirements. This will leave approximately $2M annually to support other
discretionary grant matches, capital needs, and/or service enhancements. The 2026
General Fund contribution to Transit is budgeted at $12M.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Attachment A – Current & Future Route Maps: Maps detailing current and future routes,
frequencies, and operating hours.
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2019 Pre-Pandemic
Recommended Network
Attachment A: Current & Future Route Map
Page 1/2
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Daily Hours
Peak / Off Peak
Frequency
Peak / Off Peak
Daily Hours
Peak / Off Peak
Frequency
Peak / Off Peak
Daily Hours
Peak / Off Peak
Frequency
Peak / Off Peak
9 hours / 8 hours15 min / 20 min8 hours / 10 hours10 min / 20 min12 hours / 6 hours10 min / 20 minMAX
14 hours120 min15 hours60 min15 hours60 minFLEX
12 hours10 min12 hours10 min12 hours10 minHORN
Fri & Sat Only15 minFri & Sat Only15 minFri & Sat Only15 minGOLD
12 hours15 min12 hours15 min12 hours15 minFHS
8 hours / 6 hours30 min / 60 min14 hours30 min14 hours30 min2
8 hours / 6 hours10 min / 20 min14 hours15 min14 hours15 min3
10 hours10 min11 hours10 min11 hours10 min31
N/AN/A15 hours30 min15 hours30 min32
8 hours / 6 hours30 min / 60 min14 hours60 min14 hours60 min5
8 hours / 6 hours30 min / 60 min14 hours60 min14 hours60 min14
14 hours60 min14 hours60 min14 hours60 min18
14 hours20 min15 hours30 min15 hours30 min8
8 hours / 6 hours30 min / 60 min12 hours60 min12 hours30 min81
8 hours / 6 hours30 min / 60 min15 hours60 min8 hours / 7 hours30 min / 60 min7
14 hours60 min16 hours60 min13 hours / 2 hours30 min / 60 min16
8 hours / 6 hours30 min / 60 min14 hours60 min7 hours / 5 hours30 min / 60 min19
N/AN/AN/A1x per dayN/A1x per day92
N/AN/A15 hours60 min15 hours60 min6
N/AN/AN/A60 min12 hours60 min9
N/AN/AN/ASuspend12 hours60 min10
N/AN/AN/ASuspend15 hours60 min11
N/AN/AN/ASuspend15 hours60 min12
Attachment A: Current & Future Route Map
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