RFTA Board Approves Three-Year Plan to Save Hogback Bus Route

Glenwood Springs —The diesel hum of the Hogback Road bus cuts through the morning mist, a steady rhythm that has become as familiar to locals as the turn of the seasons. For residents living west of New Castle, that sound represents more than just a ride; it is lifeline to work, school, and the wider Roaring Fork Valley. But as November approaches, a quiet anxiety settles over the community, mirroring the chill in the air. Will the bus keep running?

That is the question keeping many neighbors awake at night, and on Thursday, the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) offered a reassuring answer. The RFTA Board of Directors voted to back a three-year framework plan designed to keep the Hogback route operational while RFTA and communities in western Garfield County work toward a permanent, long-term funding solution.

The resolution instructs RFTA staff to begin drafting an intergovernmental agreement with three key governments: Rifle, Silt, and Garfield County. It is a crucial step, though it does not yet assign specific funds or define the final contributions each entity will make. If a new funding agreement is not reached, the current Hogback service west of New Castle is scheduled to end on November 23.

Kurt Ravenschlag, the chief executive officer of RFTA, emphasized the urgency of the timeline. He noted that the authority needs clear guidance soon, as staff begin crafting the winter service schedule in August. They must know by early September whether to include the Hogback route when that new schedule takes effect on November 24.

“We do not have a funding source for the Hogback route beyond November 23 of this year,” Ravenschlag stated, highlighting the precarious position of the route without immediate action.

The proposed framework would maintain current service levels for up to three years, granting Rifle, Silt, and Garfield County the breathing room needed to identify a specific funding source or develop an alternative regional transportation system. Ravenschlag explained that much of last year was dedicated to clarifying how the service is financed, particularly noting that Rifle and Silt receive RFTA services despite not being formal members of the authority.

While Pitkin and Eagle counties, along with Aspen, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, and New Castle, are voting members supported by local specific taxes, Garfield County, Rifle, and Silt participate in the RFTA board with voice but no vote. The proposed agreement includes annual reviews and performance milestones to demonstrate progress toward a permanent solution, which could eventually lead to an electoral consultation.

Under the general funding framework, RFTA will contribute the majority of funds initially, but its share will decrease over the three years as Rifle and Silt increase their contributions. For 2026, both Rifle and Silt will contribute $40,000 each to the Hogback service, marking the first time Silt has contributed to this specific route.

If you look closely at the numbers, there’s a warmth to the collaboration, even if the financial mechanics are still being ironed out. The plan ensures that the bus continues to roll, carrying not just passengers, but the hope of a stable future for those who call this stretch of highway home. As the leaves begin to turn on the steep slopes, the promise of continued service offers a steady comfort against the coming winter.