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Longmont seniors report inconsistent pickup, navigation issues with Ride Longmont pilot
Summary
Board members at the Longmont Senior Advisory Board described inconsistent pickup/drop-off locations, drivers' unfamiliarity with local streets and mixed experiences with Ride Longmont during a transportation discussion; members urged monitoring the pilot through the free period and suggested follow-up with program staff.
Longmont Senior Advisory Board members described mixed experiences with Ride Longmont during a wide-ranging discussion about local transportation options, urging the board to monitor the pilot and bring user feedback to program managers.
Board member Eric Brack said the on‑demand service has been useful but uneven: "Problems that I've had is that the inconsistency, they don't always pick you up in front of your house. You have to walk maybe half a block. They don't drop you off consistently at 1 spot." Brack said most drivers use voice navigation services and often lack local familiarity, adding that he has "only missed 1 ride" because of wait time and that rides can be fast when the system works.
The discussion placed Ride Longmont alongside other regional transit planning efforts, including proposed rail service to mountain destinations and coordination with RTD service. Board members noted the program's apparent flexibility for seniors: one member said, "I understand too that if you say you're senior, they will come to your door. They will pick you up at your door." Another board member added that drivers will assist riders who use a wheelchair or walker.
Participants raised operational questions — bilingual driver availability, standards for where drivers pick up or drop off, and whether the pilot's free period should run before major program changes are requested. Board members proposed collecting user feedback for the program lead and suggested waiting until the end of the free trial to judge whether the service meets seniors' needs. One member offered to help connect the board with the program manager to convey consolidated feedback.
Board members also discussed how Ride Longmont ties into the broader mobility network: members confirmed the service will drop riders at local mobility hubs where RTD buses can be accessed for regional trips, and printed multilingual brochures were noted as available at the senior center.
The board did not take formal action but agreed to continue monitoring the service and to consolidate rider feedback for staff to pass to the program lead.
