New on-demand ride service to launch in Glenwood Springs this May

A new way to get around Glenwood Springs is rolling out this summer.

Starting May 1, the city will launch Ride Glenwood on Demand, a microtransit program allowing riders to request a shared ride using a smartphone app or by phone. The service will run citywide, including West and South Glenwood, and will be available to both residents and visitors. City Council received an update from city staff on the program at Thursday’s regular meeting.

“This is an on-demand system,” City Engineer Ryan Gordon said. “You’ll use the app and call the vehicle to your location or very near to it, and it will take you to your destination, or again, very near to it.”

The service will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Each ride will cost $1 per person. Riders can pay through the app or in cash. Those without a smartphone will be able to call a vehicle by phone.

“It’s going to be one ride per person,” Gordon said. “So if four people are riding it with a caregiver, that will be four rides or $4.”

The app will function under a regional platform called Ride Roaring Fork, which ties into similar services in nearby towns like Carbondale and Aspen. Glenwood’s system will operate as its own local option within the app.

“When you come to the valley and want to use public transportation or this system in particular, it’ll be pretty seamless,” Gordon said. “You’ll understand what you’re getting onto.”

The service will start with four vehicles, including two that are ADA accessible. Gordon said the program will track ridership patterns, even when cash is used, to help the city evaluate and adjust the system over time.

“One of the critical things of this program is to make sure we actually capture and understand the traffic pattern,” Gordon said. “Even if they’re taking cash, the driver will log you in.”

The service is funded by a grant through RFTA, with matching funds from the city. Gordon said the $1 fare is a starting point, and adjustments could be made depending on how the service is used.

“This is a relatively expensive service,” Gordon said. “We thought it was appropriate to start at $1. As we move forward and gather data, we’ll determine where we stand revenue wise versus cost wise.”

Council member Jonathan Godes asked whether the fare would cover the cost of the service.

“It does not pay for the service,” Gordon said. “But it helps us begin with a model that we can grow from.”

Council member Erin Zalinski said the program helps meet a growing need in the city.

“We have areas of our community that are just underserved by local transportation,” Zalinski said. “If we really want to make any significant move toward reducing local traffic, we need to have something.”

She added that launching with a fare helps signal long-term planning.

“The fact that we are starting out with a funding mechanism, even though it’s nominal, I think sets a standard that we are intentional about creating something that will be sustainable,” Zalinski said. “I really can’t wait to see the community start to embrace this.”

Gordon confirmed the service is open to all riders, not just locals.

“If you’re visiting Glenwood, you can take it,” he said. “It’s basically for everybody.”

Tutorial videos and other training materials will be released ahead of the launch to help riders get familiar with the app and phone system.

“This is a pilot system,” Gordon said. “We just have to figure out what it is.”

Gordon said city officials plan to provide updates every two weeks leading up to the launch.