Public transportation in Montezuma County and beyond just got a little better.
MoCo - a taxpayer-supported bus system serving county residents - recently upgraded its fleet.
A new 10-passenger bus was put into service last month for on-demand rides in the county Monday through Saturday. Rides to doctor visits in Durango and Dove Creek are available, and the service is wheelchair-accessible.
Service hours for the bus have been expanded to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and rides are now available on Saturday during the day. The department plans to hire two drivers to accommodate the new schedule.
A CDOT grant paid for most of the $53,000 cost, and county transportation services picked up $11,000. The bus increases the transportation fleet to nine buses and vans, which provides an average of 730 rides per month.
"We want people to know this service is available to everyone," said Mary Holaday, transit manager. "We're looking to boost our rider numbers."
The service was expanded into the evening hours to accommodate residents needing transportation to meetings, classes, rehab appointments, and work shifts.
"We take them where they want to go," Holaday said, whether an errand, shopping, medical appointment, dialysis or recreation activity.
"When done, call dispatch, and we'll take you back home or wherever," she said.
Round-trip fares are $3 within Cortez City limits, $5 for 2 to 5 miles outside Cortez, $7 for 7 to 12 miles outside Cortez, $15 round-trip to Mancos and $10 round-trip to Dolores.
For Dove Creek medical appointments, the regular round-trip fare is $35, and for Durango, it's $50.
The county bus is also approved for Medicaid transport, which covers the cost for rides to medical appointments.
To book a ride, or for more information, call (970) 564-2773.
