5 year strategic plan

I’m thrilled to share Core Transit’s first official 5-Year Strategic Plan — a milestone in our journey from a visionary idea, endorsed by Eagle County voters in 2022, to a fully operational organization with 110 dedicated team members serving our community with pride and purpose.

This Plan isn’t just a document. It’s our North Star — a guide to help us make smart, meaningful choices as we expand our services, allocate resources, and evolve to meet the needs of the people we serve. It also complements our Ten-Year Transit Development and Capital Plan, offering a practical framework for prioritizing what matters most.

Our progress is built on the steady foundation laid by Core Transit’s founding board. Starting nearly from scratch, they established a transparent decision-making model and an interim plan focused on a clear mission: deliver exceptional value, and do it quickly. That early work gave us the momentum we needed to begin delivering for the community right away.

When I came on board in 2023 as Core Transit’s first executive director, my focus was to build a strong team and bring that interim plan to life. And what a ride it’s been. Together, we introduced a new brand identity, transitioned transit operations from Eagle County, and launched a fare-free zone. And we didn’t stop there. We delivered double-digit ridership growth, boosted service frequency and reliability, and were recognized as Colorado’s Large Community Transit Agency of the Year. Through our support of the EGE Air Alliance’s Minimum Revenue Guarantee, we even helped Eagle County Airport soar to new heights.

The 5-Year Strategic Plan builds on that momentum. It reflects who we are, what we value, and how we aim to make every ride safe, seamless, and yes — even a little fun. It’s a tool for staying aligned as we enter our next chapter, and a promise to continue delivering a service that’s welcoming, accessible, dependable, and rewarding.

We’ve come far in a short time. But this is just the beginning. I invite you to roll with us.

Tanya Allen

Executive Director, Core Transit

We believe every journey should be an empowering and gratifying experience.

As a user-friendly, multimodal transportation authority Core Transit invites you to navigate Eagle County safely, easily, and affordably. Our lively crew of experts drive home the benefits of public transportation with reliable, light-hearted, and rewarding service that unites us.

Mission statement

We will provide everyone in our community with user-friendly transportation solutions that are safe, rewarding, and reliable.

Vision statement

We will become the #1 choice for getting around our region because our services are so outrageously beneficial.

Brand promises

1. We will be warm and engaging because we believe in the power of positivity.
2. We will be easy for all to use because we believe mobility cultivates independence.
3. We will be safe and reliable because we believe trust is essential.
4. We will deliver an uplifting experience because we believe small benefits create big rewards.

Core Transit was built on Eagle County’s long-standing tradition of collaboration. When a challenge affects the entire community, we come together to solve it.

Efforts to build a regional transit system began in 1980, when Vail Associates launched the Valley’s first workforce service. Over time, routes expanded westward and management alternated between Eagle County and the Town of Avon. In 1995, voters approved a 0.5% sales tax to create ECO Transit and the Eagle Valley Trail. While ECO operated across the region, it remained under County control. A unified regional transportation authority remained a goal for the future.

By 2020, that goal became a priority. Local business leaders, concerned about transportation barriers for workers, residents, and visitors, encouraged governments to explore a new approach. They pointed to regional models like the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority as proof of what was possible.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic briefly paused the effort, rising housing costs and worker shortages quickly put transportation back on the agenda. Local governments, special districts, and community partners came together with a renewed sense of purpose. Over the course of a year, they drafted a formal agreement to create a Regional Transportation Authority and placed a funding measure on the 2022 ballot.

The plan was built around five priorities:

1. Expanding service and express routes across the Eagle Valley
2. Strengthening connections between Gypsum, Eagle, and surrounding communities
3. Improving access and air service at Eagle County Airport
4. Creating a fare-free zone from Edwards to Vail
5. Reducing the environmental impact of local travel

In November 2022, voters in seven of eight participating jurisdictions approved the plan. Their support launched a new era of coordinated, community-driven transit in Eagle County.

Core Transit is guided by a Board of Directors made up of elected officials from each of our seven member jurisdictions. These leaders are formally appointed to represent their communities and work together to make decisions that benefit the entire region. The Board selects and supports the Executive Director, who leads Core Transit’s staff and oversees day-to-day operations across the system.Board meetings take place monthly and are open to the public. Agendas and notices are posted at CoreTransit.org, where community members can also find ways to get involved. Public comments are welcome during meetings, by email, or through local government channels. To see who currently serves on the Board and learn more, visit coretransit.org/board-members.

Core Transit is primarily funded through two dedicated sales taxes, which account for approximately 98% of our revenue. The first is the Eagle County Mass Transit Sales Tax, which previously supported ECO Transit. Eagle County now transfers a portion of this tax to Core Transit each month to sustain equivalent service levels. The second is a new 0.5% sales tax, approved by voters in 2022 and collected within Core Transit’s member jurisdictions. This new revenue supports service expansion, fare-free travel in member areas, and funding for programs like the Minimum Revenue Guarantee that enhances air service at Eagle County Airport.

Additional funding comes from fare revenue collected in non-member jurisdictions, such as Gypsum and Leadville, along with state and federal grants.

The Goals and Objectives in this plan are designed to guide our work with clarity and purpose. Our Goals are intentionally high-level, aspirational, and aligned with Core Transit’s mission and vision. They’re also broad by design, so no matter your role within the organization, these goals can serve as a reliable point of reference.

We’ve kept the language simple, approachable, and easy to share — so that every staff member and community member can understand what we’re aiming for and why it matters. Objectives are more targeted. Each one will have an assigned owner within the organization who will be responsible for developing related projects, aligning resources, and, when appropriate, identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure success.

As we move forward, the Goals and Objectives will help shape our budgeting and project planning. Progress will be tracked, reported to the Board and community, and used as a tool to ensure transparency and accountability. If we’re spending time or money on something, the reason should connect directly back to this plan.

Supporting tactics:

1. Staff strategically to ensure reliable service and prevent burnout
2. Offer competitive pay, benefits, and wellness resources to retain top talent
3. Create a culture of trust, clear communication, and team-based problem solving
4. Support employees with a financially sustainable housing program
5. Invest in training, skill-building, and pathways for career development

Supporting tactics:

1. Be systems-oriented with clear, documented, and scalable procedures that guide our work
2. Develop and maintain a dynamic long-range financial planning model
3. Establish a permanent Core Transit facility that gives us room to grow
4. Maintain an adequate reserve balance and explore new revenue streams
5. Increase ridership and invest in new technology to reduce environmental impacts

Supporting tactics:

1. Continue to lower our preventable accident rate
2. Build a culture of safety, where continuous improvement is a source of pride
3. Ensure all information we share is accurate, transparent, and easily understood
4. Tell our story, highlighting the economic, social, and environmental impacts of our work 
5. Provide timely and actionable information during emergencies and service disruptions

Supporting tactics:

1. Use KPIs and customer feedback to drive service improvements
2. Improve fleet reliability, comfort, and availability
3. Maintain safe, welcoming, and branded shelters and facilities
4. Strengthen coordination among regional transit providers for the benefit of riders
5. Deliver exceptional bilingual, bicultural customer service that reflects our community

Supporting tactics:

1. Strengthen air service through the EGE Air Alliance partnership
2. Participate in local planning to expand and align future service, such as “first-last mile” solutions
3. Support regional emergency response efforts and planning
4. Play a leading role in regional, state, and federal transportation conversations
5. Collaborate with local partners to improve access and mobility
6. Develop inclusion plans for Gypsum, Leadville, and Lake County that best serve everyone