The Glenwood Springs Post Independent reports that the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority unveiled the general design of bus stations for 14 high-visibility stops along the Roaring Fork Valley’s spine on Tuesday.

RFTA will build the new stations as part of its $50 million expansion of the bus system that will be undertaken over the next three years. RFTA and its consultants will try to sell details of its plan to the public in a series of meetings starting in Glenwood Springs Feb. 16. Two meetings will be held in Aspen Feb. 17.

Go to the Glenwood Springs Post Independent to see the entire article.

Ridership on the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s buses fell nearly 12 percent in recession-racked 2009, according to a preliminary report released Monday. RFTA had 4.29 million riders last year compared to 4.85 million in 2008.

The Glenwood Springs Post Independent reports that President Obama’s 2011 budget proposal includes a $24 million grant for the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s $45 million and $50 million plan for bus rapid transit.

The Glenwood Springs Post Independent reports that the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s financial picture for 2009 will be a little bleaker than expected because of falling revenues and rising expenditures.

RAFTA’s sales tax revenues will drop about 18 to 19 percent compared to 2008, according to CEO Dan Blankenship. The staff had previously forecast a drop of 17 to 18 percent.

Go to the Glenwood Springs Post Independent to see the entire article.

The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority is still not sure where its next meal is coming from, in terms of some needed fiscal nourishment to maintain an endangered operation, the Glenwood Springs Post Independent reports.

Garfield County on Monday rejected RFTA’s request to kick in $614,000 to the bus service’s 2010 budget, despite a threat that the Hogback service to the western parts of the county could be significantly trimmed back as a result.

Go to the Glenwood Springs Post Independent for the entire report.

Roaring Fork Transportation Authority officials think their revenues will drop 23 percent next year from what was budgeted in 2009 because of the ailing economy, the Glenwood Springs Post Independent reports.

RFTA will get hit hardest by falling sales tax collections. Fares collections will also drop because of sagging ridership, according to the draft budget presented to the board of directors Thursday by Finance Director John Tangen and Chief Executive Officer Dan Blankenship.

“It’s been a difficult year because we had to ask everyone in the organization to make some sacrifices,” Blankenship said.

Go to the Glenwood Springs Post Independent for the entire article.