Council signals support to use pilot funds for FlexRide enhancements while transit study urges long‑term connector

City staff presented the draft final Broomfield Transit Study at the Oct. 20 study session and recommended pursuing a two-track approach: continue advocacy to add a future fixed-route local connector and use existing pilot funds to increase FlexRide (demand-responsive) service in the near term.

“Allison Baxter, senior transportation planner, said the team heard from more than 4,000 people during the study process and that the highest-need areas lack nearby fixed-route service,” Baxter told council. The study found that about 80% of Broomfield’s land area is outside a half-mile of fixed transit routes and that FlexRide in central Broomfield shows denial rates of about one in every three or four requested trips in peak times.

Why it matters: Council must balance short-term mobility improvements against long-term capital and operating costs. Fixed-route buses are cost-efficient per passenger but require sustained ridership and stop infrastructure; on-demand services are more flexible but cost more per trip and typically require ongoing subsidy.

Study recommendations and costs

- Community connector (fixed route): The study offered two route alignment concepts to link neighborhoods, schools and commercial centers; estimated operating costs were roughly $1.3 million to $2.0 million annually depending on alignment and equipment. Designers noted a trade-off: serving both the Orchard Town Center and the proposed Broomfield Town Square in a single 30-minute-frequency route would require an extra vehicle and higher costs.

- Expanded FlexRide (RTD-provided demand-response): Estimated per-passenger costs are higher than fixed-route service, but staff said modest enhancements would improve weekend capacity and evening hours. Consolidated zone service and longer hours are among the options; staff recommended using remaining pilot funds (about $400,000) to fund FlexRide enhancements.

- Microtransit / city-contracted on-demand and trip-support pilots: The study suggested a city-contracted microtransit option and a targeted trip-support (voucher) pilot for older adults and low-income residents as possible supplementary tools, but staff highlighted those require ongoing local funding beyond the pilot.

Staff recommendation and council direction

Staff recommended using the remaining $400,000 in pilot funds to support RTD FlexRide improvements in Broomfield (extra weekend and evening hours, an additional Saturday vehicle in the central zone, and possible zone consolidation). The staff memo noted risks: federal requirements on grant funds and uncertainty whether RTD would accept and operationalize the funds.

After extended questions and discussion about accountability and RTD’s track record, multiple council members voiced support for directing staff to pursue FlexRide enhancements with the existing pilot funds while continuing advocacy for RTD to include a local connector in its five-year planning process (next cycle begins in 2026). Several council members said they prefer future fixed-route service to include the future Broomfield Town Square when feasible.

What to expect next

- Staff will work with RTD to amend intergovernmental agreements and define pilot scope; staff told council the IGA amendment and implementation could take a few months and that a multi-year spread of the $400,000 could be possible if needed.

- Staff identified additional grant opportunities (RTD partnership program, COG and state clean-transit programs) but noted most require local match and that Broomfield is not immediately eligible for all formula funds.

Ending: Council’s near-term direction was to pursue RTD FlexRide enhancements using available pilot funds and to continue pressing RTD to include a Broomfield connector route in its upcoming five-year service planning process. Staff will return with implementation details and the amended IGA if RTD agrees to operationalize the pilot funds.