RTD 255 Mountain Trail Fares Waived September 28 to Celebrate National Public Lands Day

In partnership with the Santa Fe National Forest and to celebrate National Public Lands Day, the North Central Regional Transit District will waive fares on its RTD Blue Bus 255 Mountain Trail route on Saturday, September 28.

On that day, the Santa Fe National Forest will waive fees at many recreation sites and amenities. In cooperation with other federal agencies and under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the forest service encourages “fee-free days” to create an opportunity for more Americans to connect with their public lands and participate in outdoor activities.

At its August Board meeting, the NCRTD passed a resolution designating three National Forest fee-free days as fare-free days on the Mountain Trail route: National Public Lands Day, Veterans Day and National Get Outdoors Day. By providing fare-free service on these days the NCRTD demonstrates its commitment to cooperate with the Forest Service, enhance access to the forest, and promote health and awareness of public lands.

The Santa Fe National Forest has been a valuable partner in the design and service of the Mountain Trail route. The RTD Mountain Trail provides year-round service, seven days a week, including holidays, from downtown Santa Fe up Hyde Park Road, to trailheads through the Santa Fe National Forestconcluding at Ski Santa Fe. In the non-winter season, the bus is $5 to ride up and fare-free to ride down. During winter, the cost is $5 each way though up-bound riders receive a $5 discount token to be used for anything at Ski Santa Fe excluding alcohol.

The North Central Regional Transit District provides fare-free and premium fare public transit service to a service area that encompasses over 10,000 square miles of north central New Mexico including the counties of Taos, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe; as well as the Pueblos of Pojoaque, Ohkay Owingeh, Nambé, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Tesuque, Taos, Picuris and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The agency’s signature “RTD Blue Buses” provide additional transit connections to New Mexico Rail Runner, Santa Fe Trails, New Mexico Park and Ride, Los Alamos Atomic City Transit, RTD Chile Line and Red River Miner’s Transit. More information at: RidetheBlueBus.com

Visitors to the Santa Fe National Forest are encouraged to contact the appropriate ranger district office to confirm which recreation sites are included in the National Public Lands Day fee waiver.