New Graphics Give Transit System a Whole New Look

The Durango Bus System is getting ready to unveil a bold new look. For one thing, it isn’t the Durango Lift anymore and its buses, website, bus stop signs and brochures will soon be displaying a very different theme. The City has changed the name of the system to Durango Transit and has incorporated a new round logo, which prominently displays the letter “T”. Mayor Dale Garland will unveil the first of ten buses to receive the graphics at a press conference on
Tuesday June 7
10:30 a.m.
City Service Center, 105 Sawyer Drive in Durango’s Bodo Park.

“The purpose of changing the paint scheme is to make the all buses within the City fleet recognizable as one system” said Transit Manager Hope Bleecker. The City received a grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation to come up with the new image in the last year. City staff worked with local users of the service who suggested that Durango should try to make its buses easy to recognize, visually similar to the popular trolley, and distinguishable from RVs and other charter vehicles on local streets. Fort Lewis College students, local business owners, and the City’s Transit Advisory Board all participated in shaping the recommendations. Michelle Reott, a member of the City’s Transit Advisory Board and a regular patron of the system endorsed the new plan. She said, “A visible and reliable transit system is vital to help alleviate parking congestion and to provide functional alternatives to single occupant vehicles for our community.

Making the buses, signs, and printed information easy to recognize and use is not only important for the convenience of our existing riders; it is essential to attract new riders to the T - especially visitors and community members who do not currently utilize Durango’s transit opportunities.”

City Councilor Sidny Zink, who is a member of the Transit Advisory Board, indicated, “City Council has been supportive of improvements to the bus system. Durango Transit is an important amenity for many of our local citizens who need transportation alternatives for work, school, shopping, and medical appointments. We think it will play an even more important role as Durango’s growth continues.”

Ridership on the transit system grew 12% in 2004. The service supplied over 267,000 one-way trips.

The new transit system map and ride guide are posted on the City’s website www.durangogov.org Information includes fares, schedules, bus passes, and how to ride the Fixed-Route, Trolley, Late Night, and Dial-A-Ride services. For customer convenience, monthly bus passes can be purchased on the buses and are now also available at City Hall.

For More Information on the Durango Transit System call 259-5438.