top of page
Search

Fort Collins Transportation Renovation

A green, City of Fort Collins MAX bus.
Image from North Forty News (link)

There is a new Transfort plan, that aims to improve reliability and access across the city, related to city and max bus routes. Fort Collins riders will see significant changes to the city’s bus system this summer, as Transfort puts out a redesigned network, to improve service, reliability, and access across the community. City transit officials announced that most route updates are scheduled to take effect August 17, 2026. 

“According to Transfort Director Kaley Zeisel, the updated system focuses on creating a network that is easier to understand and more dependable. The redesign introduces a streamlined, grid-based layout that strengthens high-demand corridors and improves connections to key destinations throughout Fort Collins. The goal is to make it more practical for residents to rely on public transit for daily trips, including commuting, errands, and accessing services,” (North Forty News Staff). Most route changes will be implemented this August, although routes 14 and 18 will be delayed until 2027, due to the need for significant rerouting and new infrastructure.

This plan also includes updates to Dial-A-Ride paratransit services. Beginning in August, service will be discontinued on Sundays, Dial-A-Taxi vouchers will be reduced to a value of $15, and the Dial-A-Taxi service area will expand. Existing Dial-A-Ride clients who fall outside the new service boundaries, will still continue receiving door-to-door service, still ensuring consistent service for current riders who depend on the program.

For any residents who are still curious about these news changes, and want to learn more, there will be a public open house, scheduled for June 11 from 4:00 to 6:00pm, at the Downtown Transit Center. 


Here is more information from City of Fort Collins: Our City

Transfort Optimization Plan:

Cost:

The goal of the Transfort Optimization Plan is to find the most effective way to provide transit service within Transfort’s budget. If Fort Collins is going to provide the same level of transit service as in 2019, that would cost an additional $3 million each year. This increase is due to higher staffing, fuel and maintenance costs. Another goal is to fully complete the Transit Master Plan by 2040, which would require another $15 million annually.

Purpose and Goals

Create a short-term transit plan that fits within the budget, and reflects what the community wants, and helps more people choose to ride the bus.

Some minor goals:

  • Keep public transit free 

  • Ensure people from different backgrounds can help set priorities

  • Use proven strategies to increase ridership

  • Adjust service to reflect how people travel 

  • Design a system that is simple, clear, and easy to use

  • Keep costs within the budget

What the community has said:

  • More frequent bus service, even if that means serving fewer areas

  • Have service that focuses on riders who depend on transit

  • Have simple, direct routes along major roads that are easy to understand and use

  • Improve safety, reliability, on-time performance


  • Better overall access to the buses and transportation

    • Evening and weekend service

    • Service that connects to schools, CSU, FRCC, parks, and recreation areas


This is the plan for the Fort Collins transit system, when they plan to start making improvements, and what their goals with these updates and renovations are.

Simon Story is a 11th grader at Poudre High School, and this is his first year with the Poudre Press. He is not currently involved in any school activities, but he has interests in filming, video games, and reading. Some of his plans for post-graduation are either going into a trade, or doing something in the food industry, or in IT.  

Works Cited

City of Fort Collins. “Transfort Optimization Plan | Our City.” Our City, 27 April 2026, https://ourcity.fcgov.com/transfort-optimization-plan. Accessed 5 May 2026.

North Forty News Staff. “New Transfort plan aims to improve reliability and access across the city.” NorthFortyNews, 5 May 2026, https://northfortynews.com/category/news/fort-collins-transfort-revamps-city-bus-transit-plan/. Accessed 5 May 2026.


Comments

bottom of page