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Council pauses on‑demand shuttle proposal for more study after concerns about long‑term costs
Summary
Castle Pines council members raised concerns about sustainability and unfunded operating costs of a proposed on‑demand shuttle pilot; staff said year‑one estimates are about $300,000 gross with a roughly 20% local match (net city exposure ~ $30,000), and Council asked to move the item to a future study session for more analysis and county study results.
Council members at a Castle Pines City study session on Aug. 6 questioned the sustainability of an on‑demand shuttle pilot that staff briefed as a possible 2025 policy item.
Several council members said the public survey asked whether people would use the service, not whether there is an actual need, and worried that grant funding could expire, leaving the city to cover ongoing operating costs. “I don’t see a need,” one member said, adding that the survey measured willingness to ride, not demonstrated demand.
City Manager Michael Petty described staff discussions with potential contractors (staff mentioned Via by name) and said initial year‑one estimates provided by contractors were about $300,000. Because grants would offset much of the gross cost, staff presented a net city exposure estimate of approximately $30,000 in year one (a 20% match). Petty proposed either including a small appropriation in the 2025 budget or leaving the matter at study‑session level and pursuing additional analysis and the county’s on‑demand study.
Council directed staff to remove a full appropriation from the 2025 budget and keep the proposal as a study session item while staff gathers more data on demand, grant cycles and contracted service models; several members said they want to review county‑level study results and detailed financial scenarios before committing to any operational funding.
No formal motion or appropriation occurred at the study session.
