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Winter Park Express partnership shows ridership gains and high on‑time performance despite weak snow season
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Summary
CTIO partners reported increased ridership, higher load factors and an 89% on‑time rate for the Winter Park Express 2025–26 season; pricing was subsidized using congestion impact fee revenue to lower fares to as little as $9 and expand access.
CTIO board members heard a recap of the Winter Park Express second season on April 15, with Winter Park Resort and Amtrak partners reporting ridership and operational improvements that staff said support plans to expand service.
Moe Sullivan (CTIO partner/operational lead) and Skye Folkes, president and CEO of Winter Park Resort, told the board the partnership enabled a four‑day weekly operation (Thursday–Sunday), earlier season start in December, and reduced ticket prices through a subsidy funded in part by congestion impact fee collections. Folkes said fares ranged from $9 to $39 (children 12 and under half price) and that the lowered ticket structure, combined with cooperative pricing and marketing, helped drive demand.
Presenters reported several performance highlights: a higher seasonal ridership compared with the previous year (presentation cited a 153% increase in the earlier year over the prior season), an increase in boardings at the Fraser stop (around a 10% rise), load factors approaching the 80–90% range on weekend runs, and an 89% on‑time performance for the season. There were no cancellations this year, presenters said.
Board members asked how capacity and season length relate to the observed load factors. Presenters said higher occupancy on fewer days and targeted pricing explained capacity retention even with one fewer service day than the prior season, and that Amtrak crew availability constrained adding a fifth weekday. Directors also asked about local lodging impacts; presenters said the winter season's weak snowfall limited any clear effect on hotel occupancy, though anecdotal stakeholder feedback is positive.
On financing, CTIO staff explained the subsidy approach: the board offsets the gap between Amtrak farebox receipts and operating costs using congestion impact fee funds. Staff said CTIO paid roughly $1.314 million last year toward the program and had budgeted more as a contingency; final year‑end accounting was to be reported back to the board.
Directors praised the partnership as an early proof point for expanded mountain rail service and requested follow‑up on cost accounting and ridership trends as CTIO considers year‑round or seven‑day service.
