Durango Transit shifts all fixed routes to hourly service amid heavy snow

Durango Transit moved every fixed-route bus to an hourly schedule and activated snow routes within the city after a City of Durango news flash posted February 20, 2026. The agency said the change was intended to keep service running safely during heavy winter conditions and that the hourly adjustment is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.

City messaging explained the operational rationale by noting the shift “to safely accommodate snow conditions” and that the temporary service adjustment “allows transit operators additional time to navigate snow-packed roads, reduced visibility, and winter driving conditions while maintaining reliable service for passengers.” The notice told riders to anticipate minor delays and to plan ahead as crews and drivers manage routes under severe weather.

Snow-route enforcement is now active within Durango city limits; the announcement warned that any vehicle parked in a designated snow route may be towed. The news flash did not list specific snow-route map details or towing company contacts, and it did not provide revised first- and last-run times for the hourly headways, only that all fixed routes will run on an hourly frequency until further notice.

The Feb. 20 bulletin mentioned only fixed-route buses; it did not state whether paratransit or the Opportunity Bus door-to-door service for seniors and people with disabilities would be altered during the winter adjustment. That historical service has been explicitly retained in past planning documents, but the winter news flash contains no change-of-service language for paratransit.

Durango Transit has made other schedule changes in recent months. A December 1, 2025 FlyDurango news flash announced a one-day reduction of fixed-route hours to 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for Sunday, December 7, with DuranGO! microtransit continuing regular hours that day. Transportation Director Sarah Hill said at the time, “We are so grateful for our fabulous team of people that keeps Durango Transit running,” and added that the agency appreciates riders’ understanding as it recognized staff.

On the program side, Durango expanded its summer Zero Fare program in 2025: “Durango Transit is expanding its Zero Fare program to include the evening on-demand service DuranGO! for the first time,” with DuranGO! operating fare-free from 5:00 p.m. to midnight, June 1 through August 31, 2025, and increased Friday and Saturday evening service to meet rider demand.

Budget and route history provide further context for service choices. Past Durango Herald reporting noted route cuts that would save nearly $1 million by eliminating service to Three Springs and Crestview starting April 1, and described Road Runner offering six trips a day between Mercy and the Transit Center at a $1.50 fare while preserving transfers onto Durango Transit buses.

For immediate questions about the Feb. 20 adjustment, the City of Durango lists Public Information Officer Tom Sluis as a media contact at (970) 375-5090. Durango Transit’s statement concluded, “Durango Transit remains committed to providing safe, dependable transportation, particularly for community members who rely on transit during severe weather,” and hourly service will stay in place until the city notifies riders otherwise.