The city of Durango is reopening its Durango Transit route to Mercy Regional Medical Center and Three Springs using $150,000 from federal COVID-19 relief funds.
The city received the money from the Colorado Department of Transportation as part of the third-phase of the CARES Act, the federal coronavirus relief package. The funding is meant to support public transit service through the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance transportation access to medical facilities.
“The city of Durango is always happy to provide additional transportation services to any areas such as Three Springs, which is growing and will continue to grow,” said Tom Sluis, city spokesman. “Access to Mercy will also be a benefit during this time.”
The expansion is temporary: It begins Monday and ends Dec. 31. The Mercy/Three Springs route will operate seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8:40 p.m., every 30 minutes.
The route will serve 11 new transit stops through Bodo Industrial Park and in the Three Springs area.
Durango Transit has received $773,514 in CARES Act funds. The transit service has used the money to maintain safe operations with increased personal protective equipment, sanitation supplies and the addition of an overflow bus in response to social-distancing requirements.
The CARES Act funds are available only through 2021. For more information, visit DurangoGov.org/Transit or call 259-5438.
smullane@durangoherald.com
