NEWS FROM THE TOWN OF BRECKENRIDGE FREE RIDE TRANSIT SYSTEM

Breckenridge, CO – The Breckenridge Free Ride Transit System has been awarded the Colorado “2023 Resort Transit Agency of the Year” and “Transit Professional of the Year” awards by the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA). CASTA held their 2023 Fall Conference and Expo at the Elevation Hotel in Crested Butte on September 12-15th.

The Resort Transit Agency of the Year award recognizes transit agencies that service communities higher than 6,600 feet in altitude and provide transit for tourist destinations. It provides peer recognition for special projects or implementation of best practices.  Breckenridge Free Ride is one of thirteen transit agencies in Colorado that are eligible for this award category. The award winners are selected by a committee of their peers in Colorado Transit.

Breckenridge Free Ride was selected to receive the award based upon its bus electrification efforts and for offering high quality transit service to the Town of Breckenridge.  The Free Ride currently has 5 fully electric buses in operation and a completed Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Study which outlines a roadmap to emission free transit service by 2030.  During the year 2022, Free Ride transported 946,450 bus passengers and during its on-board survey the Free Ride received a 97% satisfaction rating. Town Mobility Staff attributes the high customer satisfaction to the dedicated team of Free Ride transit operators who take pride in delivering safe, reliable, and courteous public transit services each day.  

The Transit Professional of the Year Award has been awarded to long time Free Ride transit operator Amy McAninch.  This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the transit industry.  The Free Ride would like to congratulate Amy McAninch on her 25 years of amazing transit service.  Amy was the first employee of the Free Ride back in 1997 and has been with the system ever since.  Amy has driven over 500,000 miles, picked up over 1 million passengers and driven through over 5,200 inches of snow.

The Breckenridge Free Ride Transit system operates 17.5 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Over the past 25 years, the Breckenridge Free Ride has provided free rides to over 16,000,000 passengers.

Breckenridge's Three New Proterra ZX5+ Fully Electric Buses.                             Free Ride Team accepting the transit awards.                                                           

Sr. Transit Operator Amy McAninch and Assistant Transit Manager Andy Cotton.