To the Editor:

I am writing about a recent article concerning “transportation” issues to, from, and within Grand County.

It is my opinion that the group that has brought this idea up again, as its motive, the notion that “we” need a full schedule taxpayer-funded 24/7/365 bus service!

I think that Winter Park Resort, some of the businesses in the Fraser Valley — mainly the lodging industry — and a few assorted others benefit from the current shuttle bus’s that resort operates. Clearly, the best way to go skiing at Winter Park from town is the shuttle bus. However, the bus system cannot, does not, and will never benefit the majority of the residents in the Fraser Valley, or Grand County, and no one past Fraser is able to utilize the bus system. Very few of us can now, or in the future would be able, to utilize a bus system to get to or from work, grocery shopping, or even a night on the town.

The resort needs a bus system, some of the Fraser Valley businesses need a bus system, some other entities would derive varying degrees of benefit from a bus system, so let those entities pay for such a system. It is wrong to ask people that will not be able to use such a system to pay for it.

If the current bus system wished to charge per ride, or a “season pass” to use the buses, I would be all in favor of that.

Basically, what I am saying is let the resort and the businesses that need or benefit from a bus system figure out how to pay for it.

I drove the Ryder buses for a while, and I have no operational issue with them, but I will oppose a special tax district for an RTD-type bus system.

As for the Ski Train, it is ancient history, never to return!

Norm Benson

Fraser