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Transit study proposes new fixed‑route connector, FlexRide changes and EasyRide investments; council questions funding and coverage
Summary
City staff presented draft recommendations from a DRCOG‑funded transit needs study that proposes a new local fixed‑route community connector, expanded FlexRide service and investments in EasyRide operations. Staff said $400,000 in pilot funding is available; council asked about costs, coverage for North Broomfield and coordination with RTD.
City staff presented the first formal update on Broomfield’s transit needs study, recommending a phased package of mobility improvements that includes a new fixed‑route community connector, changes to FlexRide microtransit zones and operational upgrades to EasyRide services for older adults and people with disabilities.
Sarah Grant, Broomfield’s transportation manager, said the federally funded study (through the Denver Regional Council of Governments, DRCOG) engaged more than 3,000 residents via 18 pop‑ups, four surveys and targeted focus groups. “Service cuts over the past seven years have, coupled with growth and changing travel patterns, resulted in mobility gaps in Broomfield,” Grant said.
The study team presented three headline needs and corresponding recommendations: improve internal circulation with a new fixed‑route community connector that builds on the former Route 128 and links high‑demand neighborhoods, schools and US‑36/Broomfield Station; increase FlexRide span and capacity (add Sunday service, extend hours and consolidate zones); and strengthen EasyRide operations with better scheduling software, vehicle hardware and additional staffing.
Allison Baxter, senior transportation planner and project manager for the study, said preliminary analysis shows high transit propensity in south‑central Broomfield and that approximately 80% of the city’s land area is not within a half‑mile of fixed‑route transit. The draft fixed‑route connector has two alignment options: one that serves Orchard Town Center and another that routes via a civic center loop with a terminal at the Walmart on West 120th Avenue. Consultant James Gerken said resource constraints require trade‑offs: with a modest fleet the route alignment choices affect frequency and whether both destinations can be served efficiently.
Staff noted funding considerations: the study includes $400,000 in pilot funding that could be used for a mobility pilot; the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) new Partnership Program offers competitive pilot grants (staff noted the program includes about $900,000 for multiple pilots over three years). Staff cautioned that pilot funding may require a local match or longer‑term operating commitments if RTD does not assume the service. Estimated capital and operating costs for a full fixed‑route connector would exceed what the pilot alone can cover.
Council members asked questions about route choices, vehicle types, FlexRide denial rates and how to ensure North Broomfield receives better coverage. Council member Ward and others questioned whether a connector should serve both Orchard Town Center and the Walmart or whether a stop near the 120th/Orchard intersection could provide a compromise. Ward also pressed for future coordination with RTD on standards that would make it more likely RTD would assume operations after a pilot.
Consultants and staff emphasized alternatives remain under consideration and that the public will be asked this summer to weigh in on which concepts best reflect community needs. Staff will refine cost estimates and return with a final plan in the fall; a mobility pilot is anticipated for 2026 and beyond.
