Ridership on the Amtrak train between Denver and Winter Park Resort more than doubled during the most recent ski season, which the state credits to lower fares and an expanded schedule.
Colorado’s Department of Transportation reported in a news release that the Winter Park Express “ski train” carried nearly 44,000 riders to and from the alpine resort between December and March — an increase of about 153%.
Service expanded in January from three to five days per week while fares were cut by more than 40%, with a one-way ticket starting at $19 for adults and $9.50 for children. The difference was funded by the state’s new “congestion impact fee” on rental cars.
“Historic ridership increases on the Winter Park Express prove that when Coloradans are provided an affordable, reliable and safe transportation option to get to the mountains, we flock to it,” Gov. Jared Polis said in the release.
“Thanks to this year’s state investment, more Coloradans than ever skipped the (Interstate 70) traffic and took the train to the mountains.”
The trains were 89% full on average and regularly ran at 95% capacity or more, according to CDOT.
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