Durango, CO: **Ridership on the city’s bus system grew 6.4% through August compared with the same period in 2025, and Durango Transit projects more than 500,000 rides by the end of the year.
Transportation Director Sarah Hill told councilors at the October council study session that there were 341,324 rides through August, 20,523 more than in 2025.
“This tells us that the demand for transit is very broad and people are using all parts of the system to get to work, to get to their doctor’s appointments, and other destinations throughout the community,” she said.
Hill said every route across the system has increased ridership compared to last year, and August ridership alone reached 50,000 trips.
“Standing room only is becoming kind of more of a common occurrence on some of our higher ridership routes,” Hill said.
In the recent rider survey, 64% of riders identified as transit‑dependent, 57 percent ride daily, and a significant portion of riders come from lower‑income households. Rider satisfaction remains high, with an 8.68 out of 10 rating.
Durango Transit was recognized as the 2026 Transit Professionals of the Year by the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies.
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Media Contact**Tom SluisPublic Information Officer Phone: (970) 375-5090Email: Tom Sluis