Right now, there are three different free bus services shuttling skiers to base areas, but Breckenridge Town Manager Tim Gagen says recent government cuts have hurt the Town of Breckenridge's transportation budget.
They are in talks with the Breckenridge Ski area to consolidate shuttle services, which could also mean an election to determine if lift tickets and season passes will be taxed around 4 percent to fund bus services.
"We have cut back almost three-quarters of $1 million because of the lack of funds coming in, and that has resulted in lower ridership. We have a free system, as does the ski area, and there's also been a long going discussion with the ski area about why do we have two systems should we have one system that's very easy to understand. The visitor doesn't know if it's a ski area or town running the system," Gagen said. "And is there money to be saved and how to you pay for that if you consolidate both. Right now we are both baring the cost."
Town leaders say they are also looking at several other different options to help fund transportation, but will have to make a decision on the lift ticket tax by January if they want it on a ballot. Vail, Snowmass and Crested Butte have similar plans already in place.
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