Durango’s city councilors deserve praise for emphasizing the importance of maintaining adequate public transportation throughout the city during a study session on Feb. 3 (Herald, Mar. 2). For now, the current level of service remains funded.
Additional money this year will come from sources such as the sale of the parking lot to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. But looking ahead, a significant shortfall – potentially as much as $2 million – looms by 2028.
One could argue that Durango’s transit system is sized for a larger population and that residents and visitors are unusually fortunate to have service at this level. But it remains an important asset.
For those who cannot afford a car – ownership, insurance and maintenance costs make it prohibitive for many – transit is essential. It also serves one-car households, people too young to drive and residents mindful of gasoline costs. Walking or biking is not always practical, particularly in inclement weather or for longer trips. For those who prefer not to rely on a 3,500-pound vehicle to travel a dozen blocks along Main Avenue, the transit system provides a practical, cost-effective alternative. Gasoline prices themselves can change quickly; one station saw a 30-cent overnight jump late in the week amid tensions after attacks on Iran.
Buses also serve neighborhoods, the elderly and riders with disabilities. They provide transportation to work, doctor’s appointments and child care. Along Main Avenue, a 20-minute wait between stops is hardly an imposition.
About a year ago, when the need for additional revenue surfaced, the Herald’s editorial board expressed sympathy but opposed adding Saturday to the five days that currently require feeding parking meters.
Looking ahead to 2028, however, circumstances have changed. Saturday parking fees should be added. While that step alone will not solve the problem, it would make a practical contribution toward reducing the shortfall.
Further budget balancing will likely come from selective service reductions and targeted revenue increases. Those choices deserve careful public discussion. But adding Saturday parking fees is a clear, reasonable place to start – and an important step toward putting Durango’s transit system on solid financial footing.
